Family Dinner Recap: Kenny Rose

On Wednesday, October 23rd, The Garage had the pleasure of hosting Kenny Rose, Founder and CEO of FranShares, for an engaging Family Dinner. Kenny, an advocate for democratizing franchise investing, shared his journey of building FranShares into a platform that makes franchise ownership an accessible passive income source for many Americans.

Kenny opened the evening by complimenting the Residents for their early focus on entrepreneurship. He emphasized the importance of understanding the industry deeply, especially as leaders in established markets are often hesitant to open doors for newcomers. “You need to know everything about the market you’re entering,” he advised, highlighting how his early insights into franchising allowed him to see the potential of helping individuals who want to invest in franchises but lack the time or expertise to manage them.

The conversation explored the key lessons Kenny learned while trying to find investors for his business. Despite being a master in his domain, he encountered challenges due to venture capitalists' unfamiliarity with franchising. "People thought franchising was boring," said Kenny, "but boring can be profitable." He stressed the importance of resilience and persistence in entrepreneurship, urging residents to "kick down doors, ask questions, and leverage small wins to fight for another day."

During the Q&A session, Kenny shared his experience as a solo founder, acknowledging that while it presents challenges, it also represents the possibility of being assertive when finding a team. “I don’t know everything, but I surround myself with people who do,” he explained, underscoring the importance of building a network and leveraging LinkedIn to connect with investors and potential partners.

As the dinner wrapped up, Kenny offered final advice on resilience: “The hardest part is that you’re going to fail. If you don’t fail, you’re not trying hard enough.” He encouraged the students to build thick skin and stay committed to their mission, even when it involves making sacrifices.

The evening was a candid and insightful look into the realities of entrepreneurship, leaving Residents with a deeper understanding of the challenges and strategies involved in building a successful business. The sense of community was palpable, as students connected over shared goals and the pursuit of making their own entrepreneurial visions a reality.

Visit FranShares on social: Facebook, LinkedIn, X, Instagram.