Bold Women in the C-Suite

“Bold Women in the C-Suite” is the focus of this year’s annual Women’s Issue. And boy grrrl!, did we find some inspiring examples of bold women making a positive difference in franchising!

Making bold moves in leadership positions can be one of the savviest, most effective ways to build, sustain, and take a franchise brand to the next level. Being bold can help franchise leaders outthink and outsmart the competition, try a new strategy, implement leading-edge technologies, or take a calculated business risk. It also can shorten the path to the C-suite, but not without risk leading to reward.

“The true meaning of courage is to be afraid, and then, with your knees knocking and your heart racing, to step out anyway—even when that step makes sense to nobody but you.”

Women have become franchise leaders in C-suites in many different sectors, even those thought of as traditionally “male.” Many have built successful careers not shying away from taking on big decisions. There were challenges, pushback, and unpredictable outcomes. But those who succeeded, through persistence and good fortune, became better leaders, built stronger brands, and inspired others along the way.

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.”

For this issue, we asked 15 women franchise leader to share their “bold” journeys in franchising. Their responses were candid and insightful and gave us a peek not only into their strategic thinking but also into their passion for their brands, teams, and franchisees as they changed jobs, changed brands, and saw themselves changed in the process—while staying true to their core values. And often, their paths took unexpected turns.

“We must be willing to get rid of the life we've planned, so as to have the life that is waiting for us. The old skin has to be shed before the new one can come.”

Elsewhere in this issue, we dig into franchise marketing in 2023 with two feature stories: 1) how brands are building customer loyalty and improving the customer experience, and 2) how brands are using new media tools to assist them in their marketing campaigns.

Franchising continues to be a great place to live and work. We think the Q&As with these 15 female franchise leaders, along with all our other regular content, reinforces the unique power of the franchise model and the many ways it inspires both professional and personally. We hope it inspires you!

After all, when it comes to being bold, “It is better to beg forgiveness than ask permission.”