What are the main challenges you face as a woman in a typically male-dominated industry?
The main challenge that you face as a woman in this industry is proving your ability to be able to do the job first and foremost and then secondarily to understand the needs of those around you and their concerns. It takes time to build a rapport with those around you and requires dedication, tenacity and a thick skin when dealing with negative responses.
Conversely, what advantages does your gender offer you in your role at Moran Family of Brands?
As a woman, I believe that initially our gender offers us the advantage of empathy and understanding when dealing with problem solving. In addition, as the years have gone on more and more women have become the decision makers in their vehicle repairs. This has allowed those of us who have been in the industry the ability to provide guidance on how best to drive lead generation and communication with potential femal customers.
What do you see as the biggest hurdles in creating a successful franchise today?
The biggest hurdle in today's environment for franchising is basically funding and government regulations. In past recessions many of those individuals that were downsized to the unemployment line would often leave it to start their own business and bring others with them. This allowed them the ability to have more control over their destiny rather than waiting for someone else to define it. In today's environment, that path is much more challenging to take than in previous years. Lending institutions as well as SBA requirements for starting a business are much more stringent and cumbersome. In addition, many are concerned about starting a business or growing theirs due to the unknown financial burden for business owners with the health care laws that are coming into effect.
What advice would you give to young women considering a career in the automotive aftermarket?
The advice I would give a woman considering the automotive aftermarket as a career is to go for it! It will be challenging, it will be hard work, you will have to prove your abilities over and over again and it will have many road blocks in the way. But as long as you stay focused on your goals and not let obstacles bring you down or keep you from moving forward, then it is a very rewarding career path. When all is said and done, overcoming the obstacles along the way will not define who you are but will enhance and empower your self worth.
Family-owned businesses are harder to come by these days. Tell me how having a family history sets your business apart.
Growing up in a family business sets us apart because first and foremost we know the hard work it takes, the fear and anxiety it can create and the true dedication it takes to own and operate a business that is the only source for providing for your family. My father and mother's entrepreneurial spirit drove them to being business owners and creating their own family legacy. Growing up watching and living every day in this environment brings me to feel that same passion, drive and desire to want to help others live that American dream as a business owner so that they can create their own legacy.
What can Moran offer to potential franchisees that they cannot find with other franchisors?
There are many aspects to our franchise system that are unique in comparison to others. The first is our ability to provide our franchisees support within a proven business system while maintaining some autonomy as an entrepreneur in decision making, such as marketing within their local communities. Our business philosophy is to develop and maintain longterm relationships in all aspects of our work with our franchisees. We believe that when our franchisees are financially successful then we will be successful. Because of our philosophies in how we operate our franchise system, we look to our franchisees as being a part of the problem solving at the ground level. They are the soldiers in our system and we need to always remember to listen and learn from them. Our hierarchy is not to lead from the top down, but from the bottom up.
About Barbara Moran
In 1990, Barbara Moran co-founded Moran Industries, Inc. with her father, Dennis, and has held the title of CEO/President since 1999. As a franchisor in the automotive aftermarket industry, Barbara and her father grew Moran Industries into a prominent automotive repair and vehicle accessory franchisor, which includes Mr. Transmission, the 2nd largest transmission franchise in the U.S, Multistate Transmission, Dr. Nicks Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Alta Mere Toys for your Car and Smartview Window Solutions. Moran has more thanr 22 years experience within the franchising and automotive industry which includes owning and operating a transmission repair franchise. In 2010, she purchased the company from her father and re-branded the company name to Moran Family of Brands to better represent the many franchise brands that are part of the system. She is the majority shareholder of the company and continues to be one of the only female owners and CEO’s at the helm of a leading automotive aftermarket franchisor. With 160 franchises in 22 states, Moran Family of Brands was one of the first franchisors’ in the automotive aftermarket industry to offer cobranded and tri-branded opportunities within their brand portfolio.
Moran served as a member of the Board of Directors of the IFA – International Franchise Association, from 2006 through February 2012. She has also been an active member of several committees, focusing on franchise relations and women’s mentorship. Currently Moran-Goodrich serves as Chair to the Franchise Relations Committee for the IFA. In addition, Moran has served as a member of the Women’s Franchise Committee (WFC) and was a co-founder of the Chicago WFN in 2002. She currently serves as a mentor to women. She is a member of several professional organizations, including Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA), Automatic Transmission Rebuilders Association (ATRA), Automotive Service Association (ASA), International Window Film Association (IWFA), Entrepreneur’s Organization (EO), and National Association for Female Executives.
Moran has authored articles on the subject of Developing Positive Relationships with your Franchisees, Financing Franchisees’ Expansion Plans, The Role of Mentoring to Improve the Franchisor-Franchisee Relationship, Succession Planning and Transfer, Developing Goals, Networking and Marketing go Hand in Hand and Franchisee Award Programs that Motivate which have been featured in Franchise World, Transmission Digest and Franchise Update. She has been featured in Wall Street Journal, Crain’s Business, Franchise Times, Womenentreprenuer.com, Window Film Magazine, Franchise Update and Gears Magazine and has been a frequent contributor on Fox Business Network, America’s Nightly Scoreboard. She has served as an expert panelist on the subject of franchisee relationships, mentorship programs and operations. Barbara has served as finalist judge to the 2006, 2007 and 2010 Global Student Entrepreneur Awards within the Collegiate Entrepreneur Organization.
