Q&A with Spherion Franchise Owners John & Tim Larsen

Small business ownership can feel overwhelming if you haven’t done it before. That’s why we asked Spherion franchise owners John Larsen and Tim Larsen to tell us more about their journey.

Did you know that franchises have a much higher success rate than most other small businesses? Around 92% of franchises are still in business after two years, and 85% are still operating after five. Compare that to other small businesses, which have a success rate of 80% after the first year, with only 50% surviving five years.

We see success stories like these time and time again in the Spherion franchise owner community. Take owners John Larsen and Tim Larsen as an example. These brothers own four thriving Spherion locations across Utah, with offices in Layton, Ogden, Orem, and Salt Lake City. And thanks to their franchise ownership skills and support from Spherion, it looks like they’ll be in it for the long haul. 

Curious to learn more? Let’s take a closer look at their franchise ownership journey and learn why they chose to franchise with Spherion.

Tell us your Spherion story: What was your path to Spherion franchise ownership? 

Tim: 

I’m a CPA with a background in tax, international business, and corporate financial planning. A couple years ago, I was working as a CFO of a general contractor and trying to position the company for a sale. I was watching various business broker listings while contemplating the best way to pitch our company to a buyer. In that process, I read that due to baby boomers retiring, about 70% of small businesses would be changing hands in the next 10 years. This sounded like an opportunity.

I became interested in purchasing a business myself and came across the Spherion Utah franchise locations with the help of a business broker. The franchise owner wanted to semi-retire after running these businesses for more than 17 years. I approached my brother about acquiring the business and running it together. He agreed. 

John: 

After 18 years at Ford, I stepped away to become an entrepreneur. I co-founded two technology start-ups in the HR space but was looking for something different. Tim approached me with this opportunity, and I fell in love with it! Helping people find jobs, helping businesses succeed, and getting to do it all with my amazing brother: Who could ask for anything more? 

Why did you choose to franchise with Spherion? 

Tim: 

I investigated other franchise opportunities and was underwhelmed by the corporate support they offered, given the fees their franchisees pay. The Spherion team is genuinely all in on helping us succeed and grow the franchise. Spherion's business model of having extensive corporate support for collections, payroll, marketing, and legal issues means we can laser focus on operations and sales. We’ve found the franchisor to be 100% supportive. The Spherion organization is made up of wonderful people who I enjoy working with and learn from constantly. 

What does a typical day in the office look like for you? 

Tim: 

We currently manage four branch offices and four on-premise clients, so a typical day is a prioritization exercise. Staffing is extremely dynamic and fluid. Unexpected challenges arise each day. I spend my time responding to those challenges and determining how to allocate our resources. 

I also strategize about what we must do to move our business forward. That may include client meetings, potential sales prospecting, training an employee or being trained myself, and figuring out how we should change an internal process for a better outcome within recruiting or sales. It can also mean recruiting and hiring internal team members, holding company meetings with our salespeople or branch managers, or attending a networking or community event.

John: 

I don’t know that I can say there has been a single “typical day” for me thus far. No two days are the same. But most activities fall into three categories: taking care of clients, finding quality candidates, and developing our team. I spend a lot of my time on the processes and tools that equip our team to perform. While that work brings some stress, the reward has exceeded my expectations!

What’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew when going through the potential franchisee process? 

Tim: 

I’m accustomed to building something and having it remain intact when I move on to other initiatives. I never cease to be surprised at how quickly circumstances change with our clients and how volatile the business is week by week. You will earn your commission every day. If you are looking for a passive investment or running a lifestyle business, you will not succeed with the level of hungry competition that exists in this industry. 

If you are someone that thrives in chaos, adrenaline, and challenges to consistently change and evolve based on current client needs, you will find that here. Staffing is more difficult than I anticipated, but it is also more rewarding. The highs are higher than I anticipated!  

John: 

I agree with Tim. This is not a business where you can “set it and forget it.” No part of our business can be taken for granted. But with perspiration and persistence, you can really see the impact. 

What is the most rewarding part of being a Spherion franchise owner? 

Tim: 

The most rewarding part of being a franchise owner is watching our internal staff shift to a higher gear in their life and realize they have capabilities and skillsets of which they were previously unaware. 

I love working with our staff and figuring out together how we can systematically improve our services to build a competitive advantage. We strive to improve the perception and reputation of staffing so employers don't view us as a commodity, but as a valuable business partner. 

I also love working with outstanding people. The ability to choose who I work with as the franchise owner means I can surround myself with people who make me laugh and smile, who are competitive and passionate, and who make work fun. 

I am particularly grateful for the opportunity to work with my brother and business partner, John. He makes me a better person just from being around him.

John: 

For me, the most rewarding part is feeling real ownership for building something substantial. We really can make a difference for our clients, candidates, and employees. It is incredibly fulfilling to see the collective efforts of our team yield tangible results. There's a profound sense of ownership and satisfaction that comes from being involved in every aspect of the business. 

On top of all that, I get to do this side-by-side with Tim. He is one of the most hard-working, persistent, and caring people I know. Working with him is an absolute pleasure. 

Taking the first step toward owning a franchise

John and Tim’s path to becoming franchise owners shows how this career move can be a gateway to greater flexibility, fulfillment, and the pride of building something yourself. If you’ve pictured running a business but felt uncertain about where to start, franchising can be a practical entry point. It combines the independence of being your own boss with the advantage of proven systems and ongoing support.  

If you’re wondering what opportunities might be out there, Dan Brunell, Spherion’s regional vice president of franchise development, can help you explore your options. With more than three decades of experience guiding new franchise owners, Dan offers approachable, informed advice. You can reach him by phone, text, or email, and he’ll be ready to talk through your goals and questions.

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