JFK once said, “Children are the world’s best resource and its best hope for the future.” As Co-Founder and CEO of a successful family-friendly franchise, I couldn’t agree more. At Romp n’ Roll, making a positive impact on children is all about family. It started with our own family, and our quest to find comprehensive pre-school activities for our children. That led us to developing a robust model of developmental experiences for children and families in our community. Today, we are proud of the family of franchises we have built. The important role family-friendly franchises and businesses have played in American communities is undeniable. Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.

One of the most essential qualities of any great entrepreneur is passion. In fact, it’s usually passion that compels a person to grab the reigns of their destiny and create the life of their dreams. It was passion for enriching the lives of families that motivated Babz and I to start Romp n’ Roll. That driving force helped us meet the challenges to create a thriving business and subsequent successful franchise network. Passion is something we look for in prospective franchisees as well. Read on to discover why.

Contemplating owning a franchise is a decision that should be made with your eyes wide open. At Romp n' Roll, we spend time speaking and sharing information with potential franchisees to get to know each other. Together, we discover if our goals are in alignment, and if we are well-matched professionally. You may be attracted to the idea of owning a franchise, or a particular business concept. That's great. Still, it's critical to exercise due diligence to debunk any misconceptions you may have about owning a franchise. Here are the most common franchising myths I have heard over the years.

When Babz and I opened our first Romp n’ Roll location in 2004, we never dreamed it would turn into a franchise with over 300 locations. The path from concept, to single location, to international franchisor, hasn’t always been easy. Having gone through the process of franchising, I’ve learned several things that I’d love to share with you. Here are my Top 5 tips if you are planning to franchise your business.

As a former marketing executive—and now as Co-founder and CEO of Romp n’ Roll—I have overseen many employees. I can honestly say I’ve grown more from candid communications I’ve had with them than from professional seminars and workshops. Here are just some of the ways listening to employees has helped me improve as a leader: