Nick Shankland - FranNet Franchise Consultant

09/03/2026

It's officially the month.

In a couple of weeks I go over the edge of a 19-story building in downtown Denver.

It's for the Cancer League of Colorado, and every dollar stays here in the state, funding research and support for Colorado families facing cancer right now.

This is the final stretch of fundraising before the day.

If you've been meaning to chip in, now's the moment: https://www.denverovertheedge.com/nick-shankland/

I have a fear of heights. Not a casual one - the real, stomach-dropping kind that shows up whether I invite it or not. And yet I spend a good part of my life in the backcountry, on steep terrain, scrambling up things I probably shouldn't, chasing the exact feeling that scares me. The fear...

09/03/2026

Here’s an opportunity that will help you strengthen your core business goals! 🏋️‍♀️

Join us for an exclusive live event to discover a premier boutique fitness franchise model built for scalable growth, high retention, and vibrant community impact.

Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/3317679822056/WN_9yJh9_aWTOK5CNrxoerIdA

Here’s what you’ll take away as an attendee:
• How a predictable, recurring membership model creates strong long-term retention.
• Insights into how an innovative, space-efficient studio concept drives maximum class efficiency with an accessible entry barrier.
• The comprehensive launch support, proprietary instructor training, and ongoing coaching in place to help owners succeed from day one, with no fitness background required.

Whether you're looking to leave the corporate grind behind or you're an investor seeking to diversify with a high-demand, modern fitness brand, this is your chance to reform your career path!

09/02/2026

What are your financing options when buying a franchise? Short answer: more than you'd think!

Cash, SBA loans, HELOCs, 401(k)/IRA rollovers, bringing on a business partner, family funds… there's a real range of paths, and the right one depends on your unique financial picture.

Here's the thing though: don't wait until you've found "the one" to think about funding. Look at your options early and set your budget based on what you're actually fundable for. Think of it like buying a home - you get pre-approved before you go house hunting, not after you fall in love with a listing! 🏡

At FranNet, we help clients think through their financial needs from day one, and we can connect you with trusted lending partners to make the process smoother.

Want to learn more? Let's set up a quick intro call! There’s no cost and no pressure.

09/01/2026

There are really only a few honest ways into business ownership.

Build something from scratch.
Buy something that already exists.
Or start a franchise.

Most people rank them before they understand them.

Scratch is for the brave, buying existing is the shortcut, franchising is the safe corporate option. All three of those assumptions are wrong, and believing them is how people end up on the wrong road for who they are.

None of these is easier than the others.
They're different.

Different risks, different work, different kind of person each one fits. A franchise isn't a shortcut around building, and buying existing isn't a shortcut around anything.

Most of my work is helping someone figure out which of these is actually theirs, before they spend years finding out the hard way.

That's the month. Let's walk the map.

08/31/2026

August is done, which means the rappel is now this month.

September 17 through 19, 19 stories down the side of a building, all for the Cancer League of Colorado.
The support through the summer has genuinely meant a lot, and there's a little more road left before the day.

If backing local cancer research and patient support is something you'd like to do, this is a great moment:

https://www.denverovertheedge.com/nick-shankland/

August is done, which means the rappel is now this month. September 17 through 19, 19 stories down the side of a building, all for the Cancer League of Colorado. The support through the summer has genuinely meant a lot, and there's a little more road left before the day. If backing local cancer rese...

08/31/2026

A month of writing about how this actually works, and it comes down to a simple order.

Understand the person first.
Then the business model that fits them.
Then the brand.

Money honest and early. Three or four options, not twenty.

Real owners, real validation.

No pressure, and a clean exit whenever it's the right call.

None of it is flashy. All of it is deliberate.
The whole thing exists to help someone decide with clarity instead of hope.

That's the work.

Helping people see clearly enough to choose well.
If any of this has you thinking, my door's open.

08/31/2026

Here's one way to make a living + Make a real difference!

There will always be demand for kid-focused franchises, because families are always looking for ways for their kids to stay active, engaged, and learning outside the home.

Since most parents place high value on enriching their children's lives, there is a steady source of demand for services designed to do exactly that. The U.S. is also home to over 72 million children today, and that number keeps growing!

Owning a child-focused franchise is immensely rewarding, profitable, and keeps you young at heart. Along with the financial benefits, franchisees often treasure the lifelong relationships built with families who return again and again.

If this is a space you've been curious about, I'm always happy to chat.

08/28/2026

Not everyone I talk to is buying a business this year. A lot of them, I'll still know in three years.

Sometimes the honest answer is the timing isn't right, or the person needs to build something first.

So we do that instead. I point them toward resources, coaching, the steps to get ready, and we stay in touch.

This was never a transaction business for me.
I'd rather be the person they call when they're ready than the one who pushed when it wasn't time.

The relationship is the point.

08/27/2026

Here's how to know if a franchise business is the right path for you...

The first step is to reflect on your goals, working style, and long-term vision. Ask yourself the following questions:

🗺️ Do you prefer structure or flexibility?
Franchising offers a structured business model, which is ideal for people who appreciate clear guidelines. But a structured model might feel limiting to people who crave total creative freedom or frequent change.

⚙️ Are you comfortable following a system?
Success in franchising depends on your ability to stick to a proven system. If you’re more inclined to invent your own processes...this model may feel restrictive.

💲 Can you invest time and capital for the long haul?
Just like any new business, franchise ownership requires both financial commitment and daily operational involvement. It’s not a passive investment, especially in the early years.

🎯 Are you prepared to be both a leader and a team player within a brand?
Franchisees often have to wear multiple hats. They lead their local teams while also collaborating with the franchisor and adhering to brand-wide standards. Balancing autonomy with accountability is key.

Read More:
https://frannet.com/resources/general/is-franchising-a-good-fit-for-all-entrepreneurs/

If you'd like to chat, I'm here to help! Schedule a free, 15-minute call with me to explore if franchise ownership could be your next move.

For entrepreneurs who want to open a franchise, explore its real advantages, challenges, and key questions to ask yourself.

08/27/2026

You don't need a background in an industry to own a business in it.
That surprises people, and it shouldn't.

The whole point of a real franchise system is that the knowledge is built in. The training, the playbook, the support, the mistakes already solved.

You're not inventing it. You're executing something proven.

What you need is different.
Willingness to follow a system, work hard early, lead people, stay coachable.
That matters more than the résumé.

The door doesn't require what people assume it does.