Multi-Unit Franchisee Insight - Passion in Business & Life/Work Balance Pt 2

We talk to successful multi-unit operators regularly here at Franchise Update Media. These busy on-the-go people share great insight and wisdom with us through our profile stories in Multi-Unit Franchisee magazine. Here, from our archives, are some insightful responses from some of these franchisees.

What's your passion in business?
Being able to continue to build a business that employs people and be a place to be proud to work for. I am extremely proud that our personal investment in time and money has provided jobs and careers for so many! We actually have three general managers running stores today who started on the grill or cash register 10 years ago and have grown with our business.

How do you balance life and work?
My wife helps hold me accountable to balance life and work. I have to be reminded that I work to have a life, not live to do work. When we take time off, I set boundaries around the times I will be available for work-related things.
 Neal & Julie Starling, multi-unit franchisees of 5 Five Guys and Bruxie

What's your passion in business?
I consider myself a people person and love to see young people take advantage of the opportunities we're able to provide them. It's just so awesome to see a young person join our team and work their way up to become an assistant manager, manager, and then regional and beyond. I have also had a few guys go on and become franchisees themselves, which is just so cool to see them fulfill their dreams. The other big one for me is having my three youngest children involved in the Hand & Stone business and watching them grow into great leaders. All of them started at the bottom helping at the front desk for years and have worked their way up to becoming regional managers.

How do you balance life and work?
I think it's important to have balance and try to maintain that while spending enough time with my people so they know I care about and value their work. When my kids were growing up, I could go to sporting events and go back to work. I've been blessed to make my own schedule. That's why I like working for myself.
 Eric Danver, multi-unit franchisee of Hand & Stone and Papa John's