Almost every first call I have starts the same way. Somewhere in the first few minutes, the person asks, "So what does this cost me?"

The answer is nothing. And I understand why that makes people a little suspicious. Nothing is free, right?

So I want to explain exactly what I do, how I get paid, and why it works in your favor. No fine print.

What I Actually Do

First, what I don't do. I don't sell franchises, and I don't close deals. I'm a guide through the discovery process for one of the biggest decisions of your life. Here's how it usually goes:

1. We talk. I want to know you first. Your work history, your family, your finances, what you want your life to look like in five years. The business comes second.

2. You take two short assessments. They help both of us see how you like to work and what kind of business fits your strengths.

3. I narrow the field. There are thousands of franchises out there. As a member of the International Franchise Professionals Group (IFPG), a national network of franchise consultants and franchise brands, I can look across a wide range of options for you. Then I bring you a short list of brands that actually fit, usually three or four, and I explain why each one made the cut.

4. I make the introductions. When something interests you, I connect you with the people at that franchise and tell them who you are, so you're not just another web lead.

5. You do your homework, and I stay with you. You'll review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), talk with current owners, and likely attend a discovery day. I'm there to help you ask the right questions and make sense of the answers.

The decision is always yours. My job is to make sure it's an informed one.

How I Get Paid

Here's the plain truth. When someone I've worked with buys a franchise, the franchisor pays me a referral fee. You don't pay me anything, before or after.

It works a lot like a real estate agent working with a buyer. Franchisors set aside money to find good owners, whether that comes through their own advertising or through consultants like me. Using a consultant doesn't change what you pay for the franchise.

I also want to be upfront about what that means. I'm paid by the franchise brands I represent, and I only get paid if you buy. That's exactly why you should hold me to a high standard. Ask me why I'm recommending a brand. Ask what the downsides are. A good consultant will answer you straight.

Why Franchisors Work With Consultants

Franchisors don't work with consultants to find just anyone. They count on us to bring them quality candidates, people who are a real fit for the brand and who have the capital, or access to the capital, to make it work.

That means part of my job is vetting. Before I introduce you to a brand, I've already talked with you about your goals, your experience and your finances. If I sent a franchisor people who weren't qualified, I'd be wasting their time, and they'd stop taking my calls.

So my reputation is on the line with every introduction. That works in your favor too. When I introduce you, the franchisor knows you've been taken seriously, and they take you seriously in return.

What I Won't Do

• I won't push you toward a brand that doesn't fit. A bad match hurts you, hurts the franchisor, and hurts my name. Most of my business comes from referrals, and that only works if people end up in the right place.

• I won't tell you what a business will earn. That information comes from the franchisor, in writing, and from the owners you talk to. You should hear it from them directly.

• I won't rush you. This decision affects your family and your finances for years. Take the time you need.

• I won't keep you in the process if it isn't right. If we get to the end and the answer is "not now" or "not franchising," that's a fine outcome. People First. Business Second.

Is a Consultant Right for You?

You can absolutely research franchises on your own. Some people do. But most people I talk to have a full-time job, a family, and a hundred tabs open on their browser. They don't know which brands are strong, which questions to ask, or where to start.

I've spent more than 40 years as an entrepreneur and business owner, including time as both a franchisee and a franchisor. I've had a lot of wins and a few hard lessons along the way, and both taught me what to look for in a business and what to watch out for. For nearly four years now, I've used that experience to help people become business owners through franchising. I'm a Certified Franchise Consultant through IFPG, and the advisors on my ReWired team work to the same standard. That experience is yours to use.

If you've been wondering whether owning a business makes sense for you, let's connect. You can reach out to me or anyone on our team. Meet the ReWired advisors and pick whoever feels like the right fit. Any one of us would be glad to help you think it through, with no cost and no pressure.