They worry because they haven’t worked in a trade, never run a business, or don’t have specific technical experience in the industry they’re looking at. That fear is valid—but what if I told you it’s also one of your greatest advantages?
In the franchise world, there’s a widespread belief that to be successful, you need to have done the job before. You need to have cooked the food, fixed the pipes, or been in the van. But for many business models, that couldn’t be further from the truth. In fact, being “unqualified” in the traditional sense often sets you up for greater long-term success. Why? Because when you’re not tempted to jump into the work yourself, you’re forced to step up as a business leader. And that’s the role that truly builds something substantial.
At Local Handyman, we’ve designed a system where the last place we want you is in the van. The business isn’t built by you turning wrenches—it’s built by you turning systems, people, and strategy into scalable growth. We’ve built a brand that you work on, not work in. That’s a powerful distinction. When you don’t have the technical skills, you’re less likely to default to doing the work yourself. Instead, you lead. You hire the right people. You manage the numbers. You stay focused on growing, not just doing.
What we’ve seen, time and time again, is that the most important tools in your franchise toolkit aren’t your hands—they’re your head, your heart, and your soul. You need to be mentally sharp, emotionally invested, and spiritually aligned with your vision. When all three are in the game, the rest becomes so much easier. You can be trained on systems. You can learn how to market, how to hire, how to read a P&L. What you can’t train is hunger, hustle, and heart. That’s either there or it isn’t.
And one of the biggest elements that ties all of this together—maybe the most important word in business—is trust. Trust is what builds momentum. You need to trust the brand, trust the system, trust your team, and most importantly, trust yourself. Without trust, fear takes over. And fear is the fastest way to kill progress. When you trust the process and stay consistent, that’s when growth accelerates.
When we look at bringing in new franchise partners, we don’t look for the most qualified in terms of trade credentials. We look for four key traits: decisiveness, commitment, coachability, and resourcefulness. And if I’m honest, we’re also looking for that fire—that hunger and hustle that no certificate can ever measure. If you’ve got those traits, we can teach you everything else. But if you’re someone who hesitates, won’t take guidance, or gets stuck waiting for the perfect moment, then this isn’t the right path for you.
Another key to long-term success in franchising—especially in the 21st century—is community. If you’re not building a respected, supportive community of franchisees, you’re off track for where the world is headed. The business world has become hyper-individualized, and the “me” mentality is everywhere. But great franchisors and franchisees are shifting to a “we” world—a place where collaboration, mutual support, and shared wins are the norm. You’re not just buying a business—you’re stepping into a tribe. You grow together. You learn from each other. You rise as a collective.
This mindset shift is everything. Stop thinking about what you lack and start focusing on what you already have. You’ve raised a family, built a career, survived life’s curveballs—you’ve already proven you can learn, lead, and grow. You don’t need to know how to fix a faucet or hang drywall to run a franchise. What you need is belief in yourself, a willingness to be coached, and a deep desire to build something meaningful.
Franchising isn’t just about buying into a brand—it’s about becoming the person who can grow it. And often, the best franchisees are the ones who come in “unqualified” but full of energy, drive, and open-mindedness. They don’t bring baggage. They bring potential.
So, if you’re sitting there doubting yourself because you don’t have a certain background or experience, I want you to flip that doubt on its head. You are exactly the kind of person who can do this. You just need to be decisive, stay committed, be open to learning, and get resourceful when things get tough. And above all, you need to bring that hunger—that fire inside that says, “I’m going to make this work no matter what.”
Because when you combine that drive with trust in the system and a genuine commitment to building community, you don’t just own a business—you create something that lasts.
