A. The
Little Black Book is one of the few franchise organizations that
provides its franchisees with an exclusive protected territory. We
believe that this causes the franchisees to work together to increase
brand awareness and market penetration unlike the adversarial
relationship that prevails between franchisees in most other franchise
systems. Q. Will The Little Black Book award more than one territory to a franchisee?
A. Yes.
In fact, we will give favorable consideration to any enterprising
franchisee that is in compliance with their existing franchise
agreement who wishes to further his/her entrepreneurial goals by
purchasing one or more additional franchises. Q. What types of franchise opportunities are available?
A. Individual and Multi-unit programs have been designed to fit the various goals of individuals looking at our opportunity. Each opportunity requires a different level of investment of time and financial resources. Q. Why should I buy a franchise versus going into business on my own?
A. It takes approximately seventeen skills to effectively compete in today’s competitive business climate. Most individuals have strong familiarity with approximately 4 to 7 of these critical skills because of their prior employment background. This is one of the main reasons that independent businesses experience a failure rate of over 77% within the first five years in business whereas a franchised business has less than a 8% failure rate according to the US Department of Commerce. A franchisor provides support in the critical areas to supplement the efforts and skills of the franchisee. A franchisee has a consistent source of information, support and years of experience whereas the individual business person must rely on his/her own resources. Q. Do I need prior experience in this field to be accepted?
A. No. Our training, guidance and support programs are focused on individuals with no prior publishing experience. What you do need is the drive to be successful. Q. Is this a full time job?
A. This business model can be run in several modes including Investor and Active Franchisee and the returns vary accordingly. For owner/operators, like most businesses, it is a full time job that requires additional employees to meet your business goals. Q. Can I have a partner?
A. Yes. A partner can be a significant asset to you if he or she has the right background and experience and is willing to be an active participant in your business. Be sure to understand each others goals and outline the responsibilities carefully. Q. Do I need to have a large inventory?
A. No. Our system is designed so the franchisee can operate this business with a minimum amount of inventory. Our inventory consists of collateral materials like letterhead and sales brochures. There is no need for product inventory like many other businesses. You are required to print The Little Black Book in your territory quarterly, and the quantity you print is determined based on the population of your market. Q. What are the start up costs?
A. Start up costs are dependent upon a variety of factors. For example, the initial franchise fee is based on population. The start up costs are itemized and detailed in the Uniform Franchise Offering Circular provided to qualified prospects at Discovery Day. Q. What is the term of the franchise agreement?
A. The initial term of the franchise agreement is 10 years with an option to renew. Q. Can I sell my franchise?
A. Yes. You may sell your franchise at any time to whomever you choose within the terms of the franchise agreement. Q. Can I obtain financing to become a Little Black Book franchisee?
A. We do everything possible to assist qualified applicants in obtaining financing. You may also wish to use lenders you have had previous banking relations. Q. How soon can I begin business?
A. Working with qualified businesses and service providers in your territory to have them included in the publication begins immediately after the franchise agreement and a lease has been signed.
A normal time frame to publish your first issue of The Little Black Book is approximately 3 to 6 months after the franchise agreement and a lease has been signed. The Little Black Book is published quarterly, in January, April, July and October. This may vary based on local conditions. Q. How do I find our more about the Little Black Book franchise opportunity?
A. Once we have had an initial conversation, we will provide you with access to our Private Web Site. This site contains detailed information on our franchise opportunity. After reading this information, you will be requested to complete our Request for Consideration form. The completion of this form is the start of our collective discovery process. After we receive and review this information and have an in-depth conversation, you will be invited to our Discovery Day Presentation. Attending this presentation does not obligate you or The Little Black Book in any fashion. You will not be asked to sign or commit to anything at this meeting. These meetings are designed to address most of your questions in an informal atmosphere. You will meet corporate executives and have an opportunity to ask them questions as well.
Discovery Day Presentations are designed to provide you with information that will allow you to make an informed business decision. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further with you.
The Little Black Book is actively seeking individuals who possess the desire, determination and enthusiasm to follow a proven business system. If you feel that you are able to commit the personal and financial resources that this opportunity requires, please fill out the Request for Information form. After we have had an opportunity to review this information, we will contact you talk with you more, address your questions and provide you with additional information to assist in your decision making process.
1. Inquire about The Little Black Book franchise opportunity by filling out the Request for Information form.
2. LBB LLC contacts you to discuss your background, business goals, personal financial situation and to have an in-depth discussion of our discovery process.
3. At the end of our initial discussion, you are provided with a password to our Private Web Site.
4. You are encouraged to complete the Request for Consideration Form and return it to us for our review.
5. Little Black Book Executives review your Request for Consideration Form.
6. When the review is completed and it is determined that we have common business goals, we schedule a second phone meeting to discuss your questions and the opportunity at length and you are invited to our Discovery Day Program held at our corporate headquarters in Charleston, SC.
7. You attend Discovery Day, tour the corporate offices and meet with key corporate personnel. At this meeting, our Uniform Franchise Offering Circular and Business Plan/Marketing Plan Template is presented. We then review your specific local market demographics for the territory under consideration. Market information and Pre-opening check lists are reviewed and discussed as well.
8. After Discovery Day, you are encouraged to contact existing franchisees and complete the Business Plan/Marketing Plan Template.
9. We address any remaining questions that have surfaced in your discovery process.
10. If both Little Black Book and you feel that this opportunity addresses our collective business goals, you are awarded a Franchise Agreement.
