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Ben Hinton is the local business owner of The Entrepreneur’s Source. The Entrepreneur’s Source is a consulting/coaching firm that specializes in matching their clients to franchises and business opportunities that meet their goals, needs and expectations. He uses a proven success system that was developed by The Entrepreneur’s Source founders, who share 40 years experience in all aspects of franchising and business success. Their goals are to help their clients find the right business investment, and to ensure a positive relationship between their client and franchisor. Their tools are education, coaching and the knowledge of opportunities across the country.
Ben joined The Entrepreneur’s Source after a successful career in sales, marketing, and business development with Comcast Cable and T-Mobile USA. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi and The E-Source Academy, an intense and rigorous training on coaching, franchising, and self-employment options. Ben joined the Entrepreneur’s Source because of his desire to help people achieve their career dreams of self-employment and business ownership.
He is an avid sports fan who enjoys collegiate and professional basketball and football.
Submitted by Kathy F. from Gulfport, MS
Q: Obviously, you charge for your services. Can you give me more information about your fees?
Answered 11/18/08 08:43:01 by Ben Hinton
A: Dear Kathy, My coaching sessions are complementary. My process only allows me to get paid when I am successful in finding a business opportunity or franchise that meets your goals, needs and expectations and you are awarded a franchise. Even then the franchisor will pay my fee. Thanks for the question. If you have more questions, please give me a call at 601-213-0297.Submitted by TIA HALL from GULFPORT,MS.
Q: I WOULD LIKE TO FRANCHISE A BEAUTY SALON.
Answered 05/20/08 18:23:35 by Ben Hinton
A: You will need to consult a franchising professional to assist you with the process. Here are just a few of the questions that you need to consider: Has your Company been in operation long enough to project the chances of future success for franchisees? Is your Company capable of providing initial and ongoing support to franchisees? What advantages does you salon have that would make you stand out? Can the business concept be packaged and effectively communicated and sold to prospective franchisees? Have you applied for trademarks, trade names, and patents that have been adequately protected that can be licensed as part of the intellectual property to prospective franchisees? Does your Company have qualified managerial staff available to assume the responsibility of overseeing a franchise operation? Will the franchised business generate sufficient revenue and profits to attract the "ideal" franchisee candidates? Will the initial investment requirements be commensurate with the projected returns and is it realistic to project that "ideal" franchisee candidates will have the required funds or have access to borrowings? Is the Company prepared to make the financial and time commitment that franchising a business requires? Is the Company prepared to enter into long term agreements with individuals resulting in business relationships that will last for many years?Submitted by Anonymous Gpt. from Gulfport, MS.
Q: If you had about $10,000 what would you invest in to get the best return in five years.
Answered 05/20/08 18:23:03 by Ben Hinton
A: Make an investment in yourself. Explore legitimate business opportunities which allow you to safely and successful start and operate a business with as little as $10,000 start up cost. You will want to keep your day job! You will need to find something that you can work part time until your new business generates the cash flow to sustain itself and you. Unless you have the business background and experience to create a product or service, market that product or service, manage and operate that business, I would suggest working with someone who has the experience to help you identify a business model or franchise that will enable you to accomplish your goals, needs and expectations based on your current situation. With a franchise you get a time tested and successful product or service, a proven system, training and ongoing support and the opportunity to be in business for yourself but not by yourself.Submitted by Anonymous from Biloxi, MS
Q: Hi Mr. Hinton, Thanks for bringing your expertise to Ask the Expert. My friends, family and I always make time to check out this particular section of the Sun Herald's website! This is an interesting concept that you are presenting. What types of tests and/or analysis do you put your clients through to help determine what is best suited for them? Do you have a list of franchises that you work from or if a client has an idea for a company you've never dealt with before, would you take that into consideration as well? Thanks again for the time you are spending on this forum! Best of luck.
Answered 04/03/08 00:47:50 by Ben Hinton
A: Thanks for the question. • Each client fills out a variety of questionnaires, surveys and assessments that elicit behavioral traits, interests, attitudes, values and work styles. During this step, several interactive discussions are conducted with the client to determine his/her goals, needs and expectations of business or franchise ownership. • No, we do not have a list of franchises that we can present without first knowing more about the goals and aspirations of the client. We work with a couple hundred franchises (most of which have been recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's annual ranking of franchises) at a wide range of investment levels, who have territories available across the United States. • We certainly take into consideration any ideas for a company that a client brings to the table. We can help them either directly or indirectly through coaching and our educational compartment which will enable the client to explore all of their options in a well-informed manner.
