Do I need to have any previous experience in the publishing business to be successful at this?

No! We will provide you with extensive training to operate your Home Design & Decor Magazine business. We do however, prefer franchisees that have previous sales experience, as this is a critical part of your market success.

What is your franchise fee?

The franchise fee is $45,000 due upon execution of your Franchise Agreement. You must also pay us a Web Set-Up Fee of $1,500 upon execution of your Franchise Agreement. This fee includes the service of setting up a portal for your magazine on our website. Other start up costs are covered in the FDD.

My city already has several magazines. Why add another one to the mix?

Few businesses are immune from competition and Home Design & Decor Magazine is no exception. There are many options for a small business owner to promote their business including social media and other magazines. However, research from prominent firms such as Neilson, Gallup and others clearly shows the importance magazines have in enhancing consumer purchases and raising brand awareness. And while your city may already have several cultural, lifestyle and even other shelter magazines, we find that the strength of our distribution model coupled with the power of native advertising, far exceeds the results that other magazines produce. Please review the testimonials on our web site to see the impact Home Design & Decor Magazine has with our advertising clients.

Do you provide financing?

No we do not offer financing. You may wish to discuss your financing needs with a tax professional as using retirement funds from 401Ks, IRAs, etc. can be approved by the IRS.

How long is the license term?

The license term is 10 years, with one 10 year renewal, provided you are in good standing.

Is there a cost for the renewal term?

Your renewal fee is equal to 30% of the then current Initial Franchise Fee or $15,000, whichever is greater.

How much can I expect to make from this franchise?

Federal Trade Commission regulations prevents us from making any statements or representations about your financial performance. Your individual financial performance will depend on many factors. If you are serious about this franchise, our Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) has financial information from other markets and we would be happy to share contact information with other franchisees.

Will I have a protected territory?

Yes. You receive a protected territory when you sign the Franchise Agreement. The determination of the size of the territory is based upon the demographics, median income and population size of your geographic region.

Can I own multi-units of the Home Design & Decor Magazine franchise?

Yes. We do have franchisees who own multiple markets. However it should be noted the importance we place on a franchisee having strong business connections in another city, as the ability to cultivate their professional network and adequately capture the essence of that market’s design style and professional resources is critical to the magazine’s success. If the franchisee cannot demonstrate their professional presence in that market, we would rather have a local franchisee operate the territory. This is critical to the success of the magazine and our responsibilities to the advertisers and readers in that market.

Can I get a copy of your Franchise Disclosure Document?

We are happy to share a copy of our FDD with serious franchise candidates after a NonDisclosure Agreement is signed by the candidate and after review of your formal application. If you are interested in starting this process, please complete our online form and we will reach out to you to get the process started.

How many people will I need on my staff?

That really depends on your needs. The Home Design & Decor Magazine franchise system provides access to dozens of articles for your use each year, however you and your staff will have to supplement this content with articles that are specific to your territory and your customer base. You will receive training on how to hire and manage several independent contractors who can assist with the assembly of the magazine such as graphic design, freelance writing and editorial services. Depending on your sales goals, you may choose to contract with several independent sales reps.

Is there any special computer equipment I need to purchase or lease?

Most people already have everything necessary—a computer, scanner, printer, phone line, fax machine and internet access. You will license from third parties the software for the CRM system and billing.

Can I work from home or do you require that we have a store front or formal office?

Yes, you can work from home. In fact we encourage it to keep your operational costs to a minimum. There are no commercial leases required. Most client meetings happen at their place of business. Most production meetings with your staff happen off site or by phone.

Is this a full time job? Can I work another job and do this at the same time?

The more effort you put into your business, the more successful you will be. This business does require your full time commitment to make it successful. However, due to the nature of the cycles of magazine production, you may find there are times when the production and sales cycle require less effort. Even though it is a full time job, there are plenty of opportunities for flexibility with your schedule. You set your own hours and manage your own deadlines. Additionally, should you decide to add more sales or production staff, you will have even more free time and flexibility.

Once I’ve signed the franchise agreement, how long will it take to open my business?

It usually takes 120 - 180 days. During this period, you will attend a comprehensive five-day training session, work on setting up production infrastructure, obtain necessary business licenses, set up your CRM and email systems, and complete other items that are identified in the Training Manual.

Do you provide marketing support?

We have many marketing brochures and electronic communication templates that we have used in the past for territory development. These are available for you to use at any time. In addition, should you need graphic design services, we have access to several graphic designers that are available to assist you.

How do I know what to charge advertising clients?

We will provide guidance in this area after helping you review local competition. An added benefit of this franchise is you can set your own rates and change them however frequently you wish.

Can I have a business partner?

Yes. Please have your partner apply for the franchise as well. Both parties will need to sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement in order to move forward with the due diligence process. Both parties will also be required to sign the Franchise Agreement.

What do you look for in a franchisee?

We look for someone who can easily work independently, is a self-starter, has good communication skills and is organized. Sales experience is a definite plus, so too is an interest in architecture, style, interior design and the high-end building trades. Our franchisees also have an appreciation for the entrepreneurial spirit of small business ownership and can easily relate to other local businesses to help them “tell their story.”

Do you provide social media support?

Included in your training session is a comprehensive training module on social media. We have dedicated staff that promotes Home Design & Decor Magazine on a regular basis nationally, supporting all the franchises. However, you should plan on supplementing our social media efforts with your own social media.

What is the next step to owning a Home Design & Decor Magazine franchise?

Review our web site and all of the information pages about this franchise. Complete the more information form, telling us a bit about yourself and your desired market. We will contact you to schedule an appointment to discuss the application. Then, after a Non Disclosure Agreement is signed and a formal FRANCHISE APPLICATION is completed and reviewed, we will send over the FDD. From that point you have a minimum of 14 days to review the franchise. If you are still interested, we will then schedule a meeting at our corporate offices for more information gathering and discussions about your potential market. Once that is completed and if you decide this is a good fit for your objectives, we will move forward and all parties will sign the License Agreement