Lashawn Flowers and her daughter, Shanita Vickers, recently became owners of two Shell gas stations in Florida.
While ownership of a franchise like a gas station isn’t as flashy as some other types of entrepreneurship, it’s definitely paying off for this duo. And they’re not the only ones.
Alyson Rae Lawson recently broke records by selling a Black-owned wine brand, Black Girl Magic, at the 7-11 she owns through franchising.
You don’t have to start as an entrepreneur either – even if you have another job or career, it’s not too late to switch!
Kiesha Haggerty was done with dedicating her life to the institution of policing. She quit being a cop and instead became a franchise owner of an Oakland, CA Subway restaurant!
More than 30% of franchise owners in the U.S. are people of color, and there are numerous programs, both from companies themselves as well as the government, to support Black franchise ownership.
Subway, for example, has a “minority” loan program and also offers comprehensive training and support to franchise owners.
USA Today argues that franchise ownership “levels the playing field” for Black people with talent and ambition who have been locked out of traditional routes to business ownership.
Is opening a franchise the right move for you or a loved one?