Vadim Levitan went from speaking no English to owning two thriving franchises in the competitive wireless phone industry. Immpreneur spoke with him recently to find out how he did it.
How did being an immigrant help you?
In Russia, no matter how much you work, you get nothing. Here, when you make money, you benefit from your labors. But it depends on the person. You need to be willing to work hard.
How did franchising help you realize your goals?
I was able to have my own business, to take care of my family, to start a new life.
How did the company help?
In the beginning, they helped me finance the business. And the training they provide now is great, with monthly training updates, conference calls, and twice-a-month sessions with the director of stores.
What advice would you give immigrants who want to be a franchise owner?
If you want to be successful, you have to work 24/7. This is your business. You can’t depend on your salespeople. And make sure you’re in the right location. Even if you have good skills as a salesperson, if you’re around the wrong corner, nobody’s going to visit your store. And make sure to develop relationships with the community.
What’s the best way to evaluate a franchise opportunity?
Talk to other franchise owners. I already knew a lot about the stores before I started. But most people aren’t in the same position. Ask what they like and don’t like and how much profit they have.
