The cars franchise industry is considered a male-dominated environment. However, even though car wash ownership or running an auto detailing shop may not always be gender-balanced, it does not mean women are excluded. It simply means that smart and talented female entrepreneurs need to play to their strengths, hone their skills and seek out the right franchise that will support them in business. Here are other tips that will come in useful.

How Women Entrepreneurs Can Succeed in the Cars Franchise Industry

1. Gain Industry Knowledge

Be curious. Ask questions. Do your research. Find out as much as you can about the successful business models in the cars franchise industry. If you are interested in car washes and auto detailing, learn about the tools, car detailing equipment, techniques and the terminology of the trade. The more you know about the cars franchise industry, the easier it is to gain entry and respect as a female entrepreneur. Industry knowledge also makes it easier to set ambitious targets and achieve your goals.

2. Have Confidence in Your Skills and Abilities

Women are often less self-assured than men in the workplace. Having self-doubt and being self-critical is detrimental to success in business. In the automotive industry, men dominate the sales and management positions but there is more than enough room at the top for women entrepreneurs. What is holding you back? Psychologists suggest it could be imposter syndrome. This is when you fall into a pattern of self-doubt and question your right to be successful. Here is what you can do about it:

• Start writing down your accomplishments.
• Stop comparing yourself to others.
• Start being more assertive.
• Stop listening to self-critical thoughts.
• Start to enjoy your achievements.

3. Seek out a Female Mentor, Preferably in the Cars Franchise Industry

The lack of mentoring is believed to hold women back in male workplace culture. Seek out a women mentor and learn as much as you can from her professional experience. Studies have shown that when women spend time with powerful female role models, they are more likely to believe that is possible to run a successful, profitable business.

4. Believe in Your Leadership Skills

Women make good leaders. Data published in Harvard Business Review revealed that women scored higher than men in most leadership skills. However, even though women are more than competent and capable of occupying leadership roles, a lack of self-belief holds them back. Overturn this mindset. Seek out opportunities that give you a chance to show off your leadership abilities. Entering the cars franchise industry will allow you to play to your strengths. Use your integrity, honesty and interpersonal skills to motivate your team and increase productivity of your car wash employees.

5. Become Financially Literate about the Cars Franchise Industry

If you are a women entrepreneur with ambitions to get ahead in the cars franchise industry, financial management skills are essential. You need to know financial terminology and learn about debt, budgeting, balance sheets, saving and investing. This will help you with the franchise business plan basics. It will also help you to make smarter business decisions and sharpen your negotiation skills. There are good online financial tools for small businesses to help you run your cars franchise more efficiently.

6. Make the Most of Your Female Characteristics

When it comes to gender differences, studies have shown that women are more compassionate, empathetic, humble, organized and persuasive than their male counterparts in the workplace. Women are also better listeners. These female characteristics and strong interpersonal skills will shape your team-building leadership strategies and make you a better boss. Empathy and flexibility are also key to problem-solving and decision making. Use your female traits to your advantage when you want to make a breakthrough in the cars franchise industry and run your own business.

7. Learn From Your Mistakes

Starting a business is challenging. Female entrepreneurs in male-dominated industries often feel more self-conscious and self-critical about their mistakes, especially if they are doing a job that is not normally associated with their gender. Turning this thinking around. Everyone makes mistakes but we can all learn important business lessons from failure stories. Making a mistake does not make you less competent. It shows that you probably need more experience or confidence in a specific area of your job. Instead of taking criticism personally, turn it into a learning tool and use it to your advantage.

8. Stay True to Your Values

Why work for a company that doesn’t share your values when you could be your own boss? Think about what motivated you to become an entrepreneur in the first place. Stay true to your vision, mission and values. Don’t lose sight of these goals. For example, if you want spearhead change in the cars franchise industry by making your car wash an eco-friendly business, go for it. Alternatively, seek out other franchise businesses that help Mother Earth.

9. Move Outside Your Comfort Zone

Female entrepreneurs who step outside their comfort zone are more likely to achieve success. Don’t let fear hold you back. Are you daunted about entering the cars franchise industry because it is traditionally associated with men? This is understandable but it is not a barrier to stop you progressing. There will be demands, pressure and expectations but you can overcome these challenges with hard work and perseverance. It might feel uncomfortable at first when you set out to do something new or different. However, the overall sense of accomplishment makes it worth it.

10. Deliver Business Results in the Cars Franchise Industry

Exceptional work performance will prove your worth in a male-dominated industry. More female entrepreneurs are making their mark in the world of franchising. The National Association of Women Business Owners say there are 12.3 million women-owned business in the US. The success of female ownership is evident in the $1.8 trillion generated a year. If you continue to work hard and impress with profits, no one can ever say you do not belong in the cars franchise industry.

Conclusion

Gender barriers are being broken. Owning and managing a cars franchise is not strictly reserved for males. Women entrepreneurs can go after the same opportunities with no less success. There is an element of risk-taking and challenges but hard work and perseverance do pay off. Rise above stereotype-driven expectations. Network and share your experience. This will enable you to meet other like-minded women who will support you in the car wash industry.

If you are excited about entrepreneurship, learn more about DetailXPerts’ home-based franchise opportunity. It allows you to maintain a fine balance between work, family, and personal life as you build your business.

And if you want to learn more about the world of franchising and business opportunities, connect with DetailXPerts on LinkedIn and join our growing community.