Breaking Barriers and Building Community: Brittney Lincoln’s Guide to Women in Franchising

In a recent episode of The Thoughtful Entrepreneur, Josh Elledge sits down with Brittney Lincoln, Founder of Females in Franchising, to explore the opportunities and challenges for women in the franchising industry. Brittney shares her journey, insights on gender dynamics, and practical strategies for women looking to succeed in franchising. This conversation highlights the power of mentorship, community, and emerging franchise opportunities, offering a roadmap for aspiring and current female entrepreneurs in the space.

Empowering Women in a Male-Dominated Industry

Brittney explains that franchising remains heavily male-dominated, with women holding only about 20% of C-suite roles and owning less than 30% of franchise establishments. Fewer than 10% of franchisor companies are female-founded, and women receive less than 2% of venture capital funding. She points out that the gap is driven by lack of awareness, limited industry networks for women, and broader challenges such as access to capital.

To address this, Brittney founded Females in Franchising — a community designed to connect women working in corporate franchise roles, female franchise owners, women-owned vendor businesses, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The platform offers a supportive space for sharing experiences, learning from experts, and accessing resources tailored to women in the industry. She emphasizes that franchising provides a unique middle ground between traditional entrepreneurship and corporate life, offering flexibility, proven systems, and community.

Brittney also outlines key growth sectors for women entering franchising, including service-based franchises, health and wellness concepts, and childhood enrichment programs. She encourages women to research local market needs, choose opportunities aligned with their passions, and leverage mentorship and franchise consultants to guide their decisions.

About Brittney Lincoln

Brittney Lincoln is the Founder of Females in Franchising, an organization dedicated to connecting, educating, and supporting women in the franchising industry. She is passionate about creating pathways for women to achieve leadership, ownership, and influence within the sector.

About Females in Franchising

Females in Franchising is a community platform that provides mentorship, networking, and educational resources for women in the franchising world. It serves corporate professionals, franchise owners, vendors, and aspiring entrepreneurs, helping them navigate the unique challenges and opportunities in the industry.

Links Mentioned in this Episode

• Females in Franchising Website
• Brittney Lincoln on LinkedIn

Episode Highlights

• The current gender gap in franchising and why it exists.
• The mission and purpose behind Females in Franchising.
• High-growth franchise sectors for women, including services, wellness, and education.
• How mentorship accelerates career and business success.
• The role of franchise consultants in finding the right opportunity.

Conclusion

Brittney Lincoln’s work is helping women break into and thrive in the franchising industry through community, mentorship, and access to tailored resources. Her message is clear: opportunities are abundant, but women need the right connections, guidance, and confidence to seize them. By fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge, Females in Franchising is changing the landscape for women in business ownership.

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