It’s rare that I (Rebecca Monet) talk about myself or the past. Some might think I’m reserved. I’m not.
It was my upbringing that instilled the belief that talking about yourself is brash and unnecessary. I was born and raised in Switzerland. The only daughter of missionaries stationed in a small village outside of Zurich. The Swiss are a private people. It can take years before you peel the layers off of someone and get to know them. I suppose in America that would be considered mysterious or suspicious, considering Americans will share their deepest darkest secrets with a stranger on a trolley to Tallahassee and air their dirty laundry on Facebook. That’s not me.
Yet, talking about myself is precisely what I did as Stan Friedman took me on a journey down memory lane in an interview on Franchise Today. From dropping out of college after a heartbreaking miscarriage and divorce a couple of years later, which left me alone to raise two small children. To being lost, ever so lost afterwards – until my Uncle Stanley introduced me to the world of psychographics through Dr. Douglas Jackson in 1984. And the rest, as they say is history …
The turning point for me in the interview, was when Stan asked how I got into franchising.
It was 1992 or 1993. I was overwhelmed and lost … again. This time, from too many consulting and training projects and too much travel. All when my children, now teenagers, needed a closer eye on them.
One night, I prayed, with every fiber of my weary body and worried heart: “God what is next? Where do You need me? Please God, I need an answer by morning,” I begged.
In the morning the answer came clear as a bell: Business Broker.
I had never heard the term business broker before, so I grabbed the San Diego yellow pages, from above the refrigerator and looked it up. There were 4. I called each of them and explained that God had told me to call them. I said: “Put me to work. No need to pay me. I just want to learn.” Three brokers thought me nuts. However, Howie Bassuk, the founder of FranNet, took me seriously. Or maybe he just saw a means of free labor. Either way, meeting Howie would change my life … and allow me, within franchising, to put to use the knowledge garnered from years of studying human behavior.
Howie invited me into all his meetings. I did what I do in every situation – observe and look for patterns. And Howie was a great specimen to observe.
I watched as he sat at his desk, the speaker phone at high volume, discussing with his client’s their future; WHILE he played Tetris or Solitaire on the computer. If you didn’t know better you would think him bored or uninterested; but that was not the case. His ADD allowed him to effectively juggle many things including difficult conversations with his clients about fear and money. Howie Bassuk had an uncanny ability to build high trust relationships and get people to step out of their comfort zones into business ownership. I found it all fascinating.
At first blush, franchising seemed counter what I had learned about America and her core values of freedom, independence and status. Switzerland was a land of rules and boundaries; but in America? In Switzerland one respects authority and walks within the clearly defined lines of a crosswalk; but in America rules were made to be broken. In Switzerland one takes no credit, unless everyone can take credit. But in America elbows fly, and chests puff-up, as each claims credit for success; while fingers point quickly to others, should failure be the result instead. The Swiss are patient and diligent, but Americans seem to prefer shortcuts and instant gratification. In Switzerland it’s about community, and loyalty to your tribe; but in America I saw neither tribe nor loyalty.
Somehow however, franchising seemed different. It felt remotely familiar. I saw competing franchisors united in their commitment to enhance and protect the franchise model. I saw franchisors building bridges rather than moats. Franchising was interdependence – like I had never seen or experienced since coming to America. Franchising was innovation, free enterprise, and leverage wrapped up in a burrito of cooperation. Franchising was a refuge for all who were weary of doing it alone and a fortress against competition. Franchising was Switzerland. Franchising was Home.
It was at this point in the interview that I wanted to cry … joyful tears. I wanted to languish in the memories of how God so brilliantly directed my footsteps home. I wanted to ride the gentle rollercoaster of love, mentorship, and support I received, through the ups and downs of building Zoracle Profiles. I was overcome with gratitude. I was giddy. The kind of giddy, only the thrill of rediscovering your purpose can give you.
Although I likely will never enjoy talking about myself or the past – my conversation with Stan Friedman on the Franchise Today Show, reminded me why it’s important to reflect on the past, for in hindsight we see God’s master plan in our lives.
Listen to interview: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/franchisetodahttps://www.zorakleprofiles.com/y/2019/06/26/rebecca-monet-the-oracle-of-zoracle
About Rebecca Monet
Rebecca Monet is president and chief scientist of Zoracle Profiles. She is fascinated with neuroscience and human performance. Zoracle is a franchise specific solutions provider offering a suite of psychometric assessments to franchisors and franchise consultants. Zoracle’s SpotOn! meta-analysis provides insight no singular profile, survey, algorithm or assessment can. Zoracle’s SpotOn! science determines franchisee-franchisor compatibility and predicts performance. Zoracle tools reduce recruitment and support costs while increasing franchisee validation and performance.