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Freedom of choice may be entrepreneurship's greatest gift. While corporate employees rarely select their colleagues, business owners—especially franchisees—can intentionally choose their culture and community. This powerful insight anchors our conversation with Terese McGroarty, whose entrepreneurial journey began at just 21 when she and her husband borrowed family funds to purchase their first Shell auto care franchise.

Terese shares how they expanded to three locations before making a deliberate lifestyle choice: selling their 24/7 Shell stations to purchase a Goodyear franchise that allowed Sundays off. This decision exemplifies how business ownership enables alignment between work and personal priorities. Years later, after selling their Goodyear franchise and exploring different paths, Therese found her calling as a franchise consultant with FranNet—where she now helps others navigate similar journeys.

Drawing from decades of experience, Terese offers valuable wisdom about the dangers of closed-mindedness in business exploration. She recounts stories of potential franchise owners who completed thorough validation but allowed external opinions or unfounded fears to derail their plans. Her process helps clients systematically evaluate opportunities by speaking with franchisees at various performance levels—those excelling, those performing adequately, and those struggling—to gain comprehensive understanding before making commitments.

Perhaps most compelling is Terese's perspective on franchise culture. "When you're going into business for yourself, you get to decide about the culture," she explains, noting how different franchise systems develop distinct personalities—some more faith-based or fun-oriented, others more corporate. This often-overlooked consideration can significantly impact long-term satisfaction, as franchisees become part of a community that shapes their growth.

For established business owners, Terese advocates scheduling intentional recharge time to build longevity. Whether through morning devotionals, scheduled workouts, or daily walks with audiobooks, she demonstrates how deliberate self-care prevents burnout. Her parting wisdom resonates deeply: always focus on your clients' needs rather than your own, and consistently put one foot in front of the other to achieve incremental improvement.

Whether you're considering franchise ownership or seeking to strengthen your existing business, this conversation offers practical guidance for making intentional choices that align with your values and vision. The entrepreneurial path may be challenging, but with proper due diligence and self-awareness, it offers unparalleled freedom to create the business—and life—you truly desire.

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