Since 1968, people have celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month. As part of the observance, we as a nation are encouraged to recognize the contributions of Hispanic and Latin Americans and learn more about their culture and rich history. As the US Census Bureau describes Hispanic or Latino ethnicity as “a person of Cuban, Mexican, Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race,” there are an estimated 55 million Hispanic and Latin Americans living in the United States, making up over 17 percent of the population. That number continues to grow year-after-year.
Additionally, the number of U.S. Hispanic-owned businesses grew by 46.3 percent from 2007 to 2012, increasing steadily within the last few year, however, there is still a level of growth for Hispanic business owners compared to non-Hispanic business owners. In 2016, a study found that out of 27.6 million businesses in the U.S., only 3.3 million were Hispanic-owned. Given that research, it is important to know where Hispanic professionals may have the greatest opportunity to become business owners which is where the Master Franchise and Unit Franchise model comes into play.
The Master Franchise model is primarily utilized in the commercial cleaning industry which has evolved into a three-part franchise relationship – Franchisor, Master Franchisee, and Unit Franchisee. The Master Franchise system gives professionals who have experience working in fields such as finance, business, sales, or marketing the opportunity to own and operate their exclusive Master Franchise territory. This includes all facets of operations, sales, marketing and finance. The Unit Franchise system gives people the opportunity to own their own business through janitorial/commercial cleaning services. These Unit Franchisees work with the client by providing direct cleaning services, which are mostly completed after hours. This model is a great way for Hispanic professionals to not only become business owners themselves but to offer job opportunities for their families to help grow and develop their own “cleaning company”. This is cited as one of the most important aspects of a business to Hispanic professionals.
The Master Franchise model also encourages Hispanic professionals to move up from a Unit Franchise Owner to a Master Franchise Owner. Several of Anago Cleaning Systems’ Master Franchisees started within the brand as Unit Franchisees and eventually became so successful at their role as a Unit Franchise Owner that they then reinvested their earnings and became Master Franchisees, essentially owning the rights to service several markets within a territory.
Maria Manuela Martinez, Master Franchise Owner of Anago of Orlando moved from Venezuela to the United States to find better professional opportunities. Though she came to the United States with a Masters in Advertising, Maria didn’t have any sales experience. That didn’t stop here, however, from building her ownership portfolio from one Unit Franchise, to now being the Master Franchise Owner in Orlando. She now helps other Unit Franchisees set up their own business, and supports them by securing cleaning contracts from clients all across the region.
“We may have been unfamiliar with the culture and didn’t even understand English very well at first, but the Master Franchise Model and the tools Anago provides to be a successful Franchisee and the determination I had were the perfect match,” says Martinez.
Hispanic Heritage Month is a celebration to be observed both inside and outside the workplace. For Hispanic professionals, building a career that provides them the opportunity to create jobs and gain financial freedom is essential. That’s why the Master Franchise model is a dynamic fit for those looking to become business owners. If you are interested in learning more about Anago’s Master Franchise model, please contact Judy Walker at judy@anagocleaning.com.