RetroTax® Continues To Sign Franchisees – RECESSION? NOT HERE!

Franchisors across the nation are struggling with the current state of the economy. It is rough out there for many franchise concepts as leads are few and far between. For us, however, we continue to progress forward. I have said it before and I will say it again, the recession is not affecting the pace of our business growth, because of the business model we have put in place. While the services we provide make sense in any economy, they are nothing less than compelling in times like these.

This week we launched our Cincinnati, Ohio, franchise location. We are very proud that Jim Dahl joined our family to represent RetroTax in Cincinnati. Jim has been a sales professional since graduating college in 1987. From his humble beginnings, working 80 hour weeks in route sales, to more recently managing 26 direct reports in a three-state territory for a wholesale wine importer, Jim has both the people and management skills necessary to drive our business.

Another interesting angle on Jim is that he is a commuter franchisee. Jim and his wife Tina live in Indianapolis with their two children. However, Jim will make Cincinnati his “second home” and service the business community there. He will focus on the Cincinnati empowerment zone, which includes Hamilton, Ohio, just 20 or so miles north, and the I-74 corridor from the Indiana state line to Cincinnati. While this corridor is not in a geographic zone, there should be a great many opportunities to provide demographic credit services to vast numbers of businesses in this region.

With Jim joining our team, and yet another new franchisee (soon to be announced, stay tuned to the blog), we are growing according to schedule. Our Atlanta franchisees are doing great. They are heads down and busy stirring it up in Georgia. They have ended 2008 with new clients already secured and are actively engaged in establishing many new relationships already, for 2009.

The reason we, and our franchisees will continue to do well in recession, is because businesses need us now, more than ever. It’s not business as usual out there. Many companies that thrive in a strong economy are looking for ways to offset the slowdown in consumer spending. Many companies that are experiencing shrinkage in their top lines are looking all the harder for ways to maintain their bottom lines. Beyond the obvious plays like reduction of overhead and expenses, our core services offer an incredible opportunity to provide dollar-for-dollar tax credits against the tax liabilities of the business, and in many cases, the personal tax liabilities of its owner(s).

Our concept thrives in this economic state. Not all franchise concepts do. Franchisors, and all business owners for that matter, must get focused, get proactive, and get outside the box. Don’t let yourself become a victim of changing times. Make whatever adjustments are necessary and move forward. One such adjustment could be to take full advantage of any and all credits and incentives that the government makes available for you. Think of it as “your” answer to the bailout, only this one is designed for the driving force of the American economy, small and medium business enterprises.