Nick Shankland - FranNet Franchise Consultant

06/02/2026

Ever feel like you're working hard but not really getting anywhere?
It's not just you. The rules of wealth creation are changing.

For a long time, the formula felt pretty clear: get a good job, work hard, stay loyal, retire with a pension. But somewhere along the way, that stopped being enough. Instead, today's economy rewards asset ownership, adaptability, and multiple income streams, not just a steady paycheck.

Working hard will always get you places, but working smart is where the real leverage is! I'm hearing lots of people ask things like: "How do I create more flexibility in my life?" and "How do I build assets, not just income?" These are the right questions to be asking.

Job security in 2026 looks very different than it used to, and maybe it's time we update what "real security" actually means.

I'd love to hear your thoughts! Let's discuss in the comments.

06/01/2026

When most people picture a franchise, they don't picture a fashion design studio for kids.

The Fashion Class is one of those models that surprised me.

It's not just sewing - it's fashion design, illustration, merchandising, history, the business side.
Ages two through seventeen, plus adult classes.

Kids design clothing and walk it down a custom runway with their families watching.

Screen-free. Skill-building. Membership-based.

Most franchise conversations default to home services, food, fitness. Brands like this widen the picture.

If you have a kid or know someone who does, this one is worth a look.

Classes, Camps, Workshops, Birthday Parties, and Group & Private Lessons are available for kids ages 2-17 and adults of all ages, at any skill level. Whether you’ve always wanted to make custom-made clothing that fits perfectly, have a kid who’s crazy for sketching imaginative outfits, or just l...

06/01/2026

Fear is a dream-killer. When buying a business, having second thoughts can stop you in your tracks…but fear can be overcome with guidance and solid data.

Here, I break down the 5 biggest lies fear tells future business owners and how to overcome them.

05/29/2026

A pattern I keep noticing across business owners I meet:

They are quieter than the internet would suggest.

Not less ambitious. Not less successful. Just quieter.

The operators I sit down with - franchise or independent - tend to be doing the actual work.

Building.
Hiring.
Showing up.
Answering the late email.

They aren't posting screenshots. They aren't announcing launches. They are just operating.

Appreciate them more and more each day.

05/29/2026

I’m hearing it every day: "I want to leave Corporate America, but I'm afraid of this economy."

It’s a valid fear. But we need to define what "risk" actually looks like. Is it riskier to own a proven business, or to let a HR department decide your family's financial future? When you compare the mechanics, the "safe" bet often looks more like a trap.

In a volatile market, the most dangerous thing you can do is to only have one source of income that you don't control.

What’s keeping you in your job right now? Let’s talk.

05/28/2026

Just received the high honor of Employee of the Month at Outbound Mountain Gear.

I have not earned it haha.

The gag: I've been spending more time at chamber mixers and networking events than at the shop or on group rides lately. So Mike took an old AI image of me with absurdly long hair, ran it through more rounds of AI until I looked like a different person entirely, and framed it.

That tracks...

I met Mike about four years ago when my wife lost a ski pole. That trip turned into a full backcountry setup, avalanche courses, and a real friendship.

Mike runs a real operation - bikes, skis, education, back-country first aid, community events. The kind of place that exists because the people running it actually care.

If you're around Evergreen and need anything outdoor-related, support OMG.

https://www.outboundmountaingear.com/

05/27/2026

Facts are more important than feelings when you’re looking for a quality franchise system!

Franchisors investing in internal research are proving their outcomes, standardizing systems, and building confidence for franchisees. For you, this means asking the right questions (even the hard questions) and looking for brands that back their promises with data.

The future belongs to franchises that combine vision with validation and put facts over feelings when it comes to system performance.

I’d be glad to help you begin your own research, and point you in the direction of some incredible franchise brands!

Franchises should take a data-driven approach to discover predictable outcomes and chart a clear path for growth

05/26/2026

One thing I didn't fully see coming when I started this work:

It puts me in conversation with every kind of business owner. Franchise operators. Independent owners. People exploring ownership for the first time.

The lines between these worlds are thinner than the categories suggest. Most people building something real are wrestling with the same questions, no matter the model.

Going to start sharing more of what I'm seeing across all of it.

Franchise brands. Small businesses. The operators quietly building things that work.

More soon.

05/25/2026

You might be wondering: What does it cost to work with me? Here’s the answer: Nothing.

I’m paid by the franchise brand, which means you get expert guidance, honest advice, and a mentor who’s invested in your success - all at no cost to you.

Got 15-minutes? Let’s set up a time to talk and see if owning a franchise is right for you.

05/22/2026

Been seeing a lot of different business models lately.

Next step is making sense of it- and sharing that perspective.