As we enter December, it’s a good time to reflect on the year and feel grateful for all we’ve experienced as we look forward to the opportunities ahead next year; I’m optimistic!
On a personal note, it has been almost exactly one year since my mother passed away in December 2021. Losing my mother was a significant loss to my family and me, and it’s had an enormous ripple effect on all of those close to her. My mother, Flo, was a wonderful person with a big personality. She made a big impression on me, and my family greatly misses her. Handling her estate has been a part-time job I never wanted. (This has been a hard year personally and I’m kind of glad it’s over.)
The good news? 2022 was the year that the world moved even further past the COVID19 pandemic. This was a big deal for everyone, and good news for me as someone who likes to attend and participate in franchise industry conferences. Throughout the year, I felt the incredible positive energy at the various events I attended across the country, and it seems like franchising has returned full blast! From my standpoint, franchising is booming and is feeling almost like the pre-COVID days. Conferences were packed full ‘sold-out’ and attendees were eager to learn, share and network, and the industry seems as vibrant as ever. I’m grateful for that - I think everyone is!!
As we enter 2023, I remain very optimistic about franchising. All of my franchisor clients have seen growth and have been hitting their goals, numbers are up over last year and Covid recovery is old news... Additionally, the franchisors who participate in my ZorForum Mastermind Groups are seeing real benefits from participating the past few months - the groups now have built up trust and a bond and it’s really great to see, and I’m very confident my groups will continue to grow. (If you’re interested in learning more about ZorForum Mastermind Groups, let’s connect!) It will be interesting to see how franchise brands perform in the upcoming 2023 first quarter - we’re all keeping up the efforts and carefully budgeting, remaining optimistic, seeing some leveling off trends and holding back the recession…
We’re already in the midst of the holidays now and the coming days and weeks, and as I look back on this year 2022, I feel very grateful for my clients and the growth they have experienced. I’m excited to see these brands continue to grow in 2023, and I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with them so closely.
To my clients, friends and colleagues: THANK YOU for your support this year.
Have a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, and a solid start to 2023! See you out there! JF
