For much of our history, the business world was seen as a man’s domain; the women entrepreneurs who succeeded did so despite discrimination and society’s opinion that a woman’s place was in the home.

Then in 1988, less than 40 years ago, Congress passed the Women’s Business Ownership Act, removing some of the obstacles facing women who wanted to succeed in business. As a result, women-owned businesses are much more common today.

Yet, there comes a time in many women’s lives when they have children. Society no longer expects all mothers to quit their jobs and stay home full-time, but there’s no denying how difficult it is to balance the needs of your children with the demands of your career.

That may be one of the reasons why more and more women are turning to franchising as an easy way to become a business owner. According to the Franchise Business Review, one-third of all franchise owners are women.

Since thousands of companies, in hundreds of industries sell franchises, it can be tough to determine which are the best franchises for women. Start by looking for franchises that are easy to start, provide you with the work/life balance you need, and come with an extensive support network.

Start as Soon As Possible

If you are looking to get a business up and running quickly, it’s typically better to buy a franchise than start a business from scratch. Since the franchisor has done this many times before so they know what works and what doesn’t. Sign with them, and they hand you their proven business model.

The only thing that will get you in business faster is buying what’s known as a turnkey franchise. Named for the idea that all you must do to open for business is turn the key on the front door, these franchises are almost ready to go when you buy them.

Find a Franchise That Allows for Flexibility

The ability to set your own schedule, to be able to take a few hours off to attend an event at your child's school, or a few days off if they are home on break, is one of the draws of franchising. But be aware, that some types of franchises allow for more flexibility than others. For instance, if you decide to buy a retail franchise with a brick-and-mortar location, you may spend much of the workday away from home. Purchasing a restaurant franchise could mean putting in a lot of nights and weekends.

Franchises that are run primarily from your home, like many in the home services industry, are considered some of the best franchises for women who are carrying for a family at the same time as running a business.

If you can’t devote yourself to a franchise full time, either because of family or other obligations, look for one with a semi absentee franchise ownership model. This allows franchisees to invest only 10-30 hours a week in the business, while a manager runs the business full-time. A semi-absentee model is often one of the best franchises for moms who stay home with their children full-time.

Get the Support You Need

Successful moms know that it takes a village to raise a child. The same can be said for running a franchise. Some franchisees credit the support given to them by the parent company, as well as by the other franchisees, as a big part of why their businesses are successful.

If you love to cook, or have always dreamed of owning your own restaurant, there are many options available including quick service (fast food), fast casual, and fine dining restaurants.

All reputable franchises support their franchisees during the period it takes to get their businesses up and running. But the level of support varies between companies. It’s important to find a company that will support you for the length of your franchise agreement.

Consider Franchising with Two Maids

Two Maids is a franchise that meets all of the requirements listed above. Since it’s a turnkey franchise, it will only take two to four months between the time you sign your agreement and the day you open for business. Performing the work according to your schedule allows you a great deal of flexibility. And, unlike some other cleaning franchises, Two Maids allows semi-absentee ownership, making it one of the best franchises for moms.

Two Maids franchisees have the support of the franchisor and the support of its parent company, Home Franchise Concepts, as well as a network of Two Maids franchisees who look for opportunities to help each other out.

Contact Us Today

If you’re looking for one of the best franchises for women, look no further than Two Maids. Contact Us today and one of our franchise advisors will be in touch to show you how owning a Two Maids franchise can fit right into your life.