He Never Planned to Own a Business… Then Life Changed the Plan

In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave Kimura sits down with Chris Jenkins, owner of Stand Strong Fencing in Durham and Chapel Hill, North Carolina. Chris shares the unexpected path that led him from a 20-year career in oil and gas engineering into franchise ownership after the industry downturn in 2020. What started as curiosity about business ownership turned into launching and scaling a fencing franchise while also managing another financial services business. Chris dives into the realities of franchise ownership — from SBA financing delays and hiring challenges to managing subcontractors, navigating unexpected setbacks, and building systems that allow a semi-involved owner model to work. He also shares valuable lessons about leadership, hiring, vendor relationships, and the mindset required to thrive as a business owner.   If you're considering buying a franchise or launching a service business, this conversation offers honest insights about what it actually takes to succeed.