Why I’d Never Start a Business From Scratch Again - Dan Claps

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, Dan Claps shares a surprising perspective: if he could go back in time, he wouldn’t start a business from scratch again. Reflecting on his early days building a company in college, Dan walks through the challenges of figuring everything out alone: what to work on, how to grow, and where to focus. He explains why, in hindsight, partnering with an established franchise would have saved him years of trial and error by eliminating the guesswork while still requiring the hard work. For anyone considering business ownership, Dan makes a compelling case for why buying into a franchise offers a smarter, faster, and more supported path to success.

Dan also dives into the mindset shift of viewing a franchise as a business partner, one that brings systems, brand equity, marketing support, and a proven playbook to the table. He breaks down how franchising works beyond just fast food, highlighting the wide range of industries and opportunities available today. If you’re thinking about starting a business or wondering whether to build or buy, this honest, experience-driven episode is packed with clarity and direction that could save you years and thousands of dollars.