A few times since I started the route toward owning my own
AlphaGraphics franchise, I have had the opportunity to reflect on this question. I know I answered it during the franchise vetting process. It came up at several job interviews. Prospects ask me about it, or I volunteer it, as I did today when I met with the
City of Dunwoody. Heck, even the
bank that put us through the difficult, nine-month long, and ultimately futile effort to secure a Small-Business-Administration loan raised it (advice on the SBA loan, think two or three times, and avoid it if you can; more on that on a future blog).
The basic answer is that I like it. Yes, there is the more routine request that we print a business card or a 4’x6’ banner. I revel in that we can do so efficiently and easily for our Clients. But I also love those Clients who challenge us with difficult propositions, who ask us to stretch and research how to achieve their particular visions, or even ask us to help them define the end goals themselves.
The latter approach is riskier, of course. The Client may not enjoy the consultation process or the end result. Time and energy may be spent in getting to a good solution, and the Client might take that solution elsewhere. Still, I like our chances because we learn. That is the best answer to the original question: I, and my team, get to learn and stretch in this line of work. It can be uncomfortable, but I thrive on the results.