How to Build a Semi-Active Business (The Right Way)

Can you really own a franchise while keeping your full-time job?

Yes.

But this episode will give you a much more realistic picture of what semi-active franchise ownership can actually require.

In this episode of Create Wealth Through Franchising, Kim Daly sits down with Jonathan Watts and Amie Boulineau, Bumble Bee Blinds franchise owners in Fleming Island, Florida, for a candid conversation about building a franchise while Jonathan was still working his W-2 job.

Jonathan was successful in manufacturing sales. Amie had built a career in real estate. They weren't running away from failure—they were looking for something more:

Control.

Control over their income.
Control over their time.
Control over their future.

They initially began looking at established businesses for sale, stumbled across an advertisement for a pool-cleaning franchise, connected with a franchise consultant, and eventually discovered franchising.

But Jonathan wasn't ready to immediately walk away from his paycheck.

Working remotely gave him flexibility, and he believed he could manage both.

And he did.

But it was a LOT.

From March through July 2025, Jonathan structured his days around selling blinds, managing the growing franchise, and fulfilling the responsibilities of his full-time corporate job.

Early mornings.
Between meetings.
After hours.

He was burning the candle at both ends.

Their original plan was to operate this way much longer, but after several grueling months, Jonathan made the decision to leave his W-2 job and go all-in on Bumble Bee Blinds.

That's when something interesting happened.

The business was already doing well and approaching their goals.

But once Jonathan became fully engaged, they quickly hit—and then exceeded—those goals.

And business ownership became a lot more fun.

This is why I wanted to have this conversation.

Semi-active franchise ownership is one of the most misunderstood and sometimes oversimplified conversations in franchising.

Can it be done?

Absolutely.

But WHO is doing it?

What does your existing job demand?

How flexible is your schedule?

Who is operating the business when you're unavailable?

What does the franchise actually require from its owner?

And how long are you realistically prepared to carry both?

Jonathan gives his perspective from someone who actually did it—not from a brochure or sales presentation.

Then the conversation takes an even deeper turn.

Jonathan and Amie joined The Zee Suite®, and in their words, the experience has helped save their business—and their relationship.

They became clearer about what they wanted to create.

They stopped reacting to every circumstance around them and became more intentional about where they focused their attention.

Through mindset work, prayer, greater clarity, and focused action, they identified marketing opportunities that began filling their calendar.

Most importantly, they developed greater certainty in themselves and their business.

In just 6–8 weeks inside The Zee Suite®, Jonathan and Amie describe creating a dramatically different experience and different results than they had during the previous year.

Same franchise.

Same owners.

But a different way of thinking, leading, and operating.

They bought a franchise and received systems, tools, training, and support.

But they discovered that those things alone weren't everything they needed to become successful business owners.

This is why mindset is so much more than positive thinking.

It's about becoming the owner capable of creating the business—and life—you actually bought the franchise to create.

If you're considering a semi-active franchise, already trying to balance a W-2 job with business ownership, or own a franchise and know you're capable of more, watch this conversation before deciding what your next move should be.

IN THIS EPISODE

✔️ Can you really own a franchise while keeping your W-2 job?

✔️ What semi-active franchise ownership actually looked like for Jonathan

✔️ How he structured his days to manage two careers

✔️ Why their original semi-active plan changed after only a few months

✔️ What happened when Jonathan finally went all-in

✔️ Jonathan's advice for anyone considering semi-active ownership

✔️ Why business ownership became more enjoyable when he became fully engaged

✔️ How Jonathan and Amie created greater clarity together

✔️ What changed after they joined The Zee Suite®

✔️ Why mindset work is about far more than positive thinking

✔️ How clearer thinking led to different marketing decisions and a fuller calendar

✔️ Why buying a franchise doesn't mean you've acquired everything you'll need to become a successful owner

RESOURCES

Want to explore franchise ownership with Kim Daly?

https://www.TheDalyCoach.com/contact

Already own a franchise and want to create greater results? Learn about The Zee Suite®

https://www.TheZeeSuite.com

Learn more about Kim Daly

https://www.TheDalyCoach.com

Like this video if this conversation gave you a more realistic perspective on franchise ownership.

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CHAPTERS — APPROXIMATE

00:00 Can Semi-Active Franchise Ownership Really Work?

02:15 Why Jonathan and Amie Wanted More Control

05:00 From W-2 Careers to Exploring Franchise Ownership

08:15 Choosing Bumble Bee Blinds

10:30 Building a Franchise While Working Full Time

13:54 Jonathan's Advice About Semi-Active Ownership

16:30 Leaving the W-2 and Going All-In

19:15 What Changed When Jonathan Became Fully Engaged

21:30 Joining The Zee Suite®: "It Saved Us"

24:00 Clarity, Mindset, Prayer and Finding the Right Marketing

27:00 6–8 Weeks Later: Same Franchise, Different Results

29:30 Why Mindset Is More Than Positive Thinking