Yes, you can own a semi-absentee franchise and keep your day job, if the model is built for it. Matt and Aubrey Hale chose a salon suite model that could open about two months after signing, with hiring and training support from the brand. It matters most for working parents who want to own something without quitting first.
Questions about your own situation? Schedule a 15 minute call →
What's covered
0:16 Why they looked beyond their day jobs
1:43 Salon suite model opens in about two months
4:12 What their advisors coached them through
8:15 Why corporate owning locations mattered
How do you pick a franchise when no industry excites you?
That openness worked in their favor. They looked at semi-absentee models across services, kids’ brands, and even several waxing brands. They never would have guessed where they’d land.
Lisa sees a wide start as a strength. You learn what each model asks of you before you fall for one.
Can a semi-absentee franchise really fit around a day job?
Staffing was planned from day one. The brand advised hiring two to three estheticians per room, since not everyone finishes training. A corporate trainer came out the week before opening. Later, owners can certify one of their own estheticians to train new hires.
How can you tell if a franchisor will actually support you?
Look at who runs the company. The Hales said about 90% of the corporate team also owned locations. The people making decisions live with those decisions too.
Support showed up fast. They had a hiring team, weekly office hours, Slack help into the evening, and feedback on recorded interviews. They called it business with guardrails.
As an advisor, Lisa pushes buyers to test support during discovery. That means knowing which parts of the FDD to read at each stage, what a brand should and should not tell you, and what to ask when a topic never comes up. She also told the Hales to expect bumps. Ownership is not unicorns jumping over rainbows.
“The success of the startup for your new chapter is really dependent on making sure you’re not leaving any gaps in your discovery.”
Lisa Welko
Not sure whether this applies to you?
That’s the kind of thing a 15 minute call sorts out quickly. No cost, no pitch.
Who this is for
This is for working professionals and parents who want to own a business without leaving their job first. It also fits people who are open to industries they haven’t considered yet. It is not for someone who wants to run the shop hands-on every day, or who wants to skip discovery and sign fast.
Questions people ask
Can I keep my full-time job while opening a franchise?
With the right model, yes. Matt and Aubrey Hale kept their day jobs and cared for two young kids while getting through their brand’s training and prep. Their salon suite model was built for a smaller first step and a fast open. The key is choosing a model designed for semi-absentee owners, not forcing a hands-on model to fit.
What should I ask during franchise discovery?
Know what a brand should and should not tell you at each stage. Know where to focus in the FDD, first during exploration and then during deeper research. If a brand never brings up a topic, ask about it directly. The Hales also looked at how many corporate team members owned locations, which told them a lot about support.
Want to own something without quitting your job?
That’s exactly the conversation we have all day. Fifteen minutes, no cost, and no obligation.
