Q&A with Spherion Franchise Owner Phil Frassinelli

Not sure what small business ownership really entails? We asked Spherion franchise owner Phil Frassinelli to tell us more about the ins and outs of his ownership journey.

Small business ownership is on the rise, as more and more Americans seek out the freedom and fulfillment of running their own businesses. And within the world of small business ownership, we’re also seeing significant interest in franchise ownership in particular, thanks to the built-in support, training, and a proven business model that franchises offer. That’s why this year alone, franchises are expected to grow an additional 2.4%, faster than the 1.9% projected for the broader economy by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO).

But if you’re someone who’s been exploring the idea of small business ownership or franchise ownership, you might be apprehensive about stepping into what feels like uncharted waters. Spherion franchise owner Phil Frassinelli felt similarly at the start of his journey, but after years working in traditional full-time roles, he decided it was time to take the leap and make a change. Now, more than 15 years later, he owns five Spherion locations across Pennsylvania in Bethlehem, Carlisle, Reading, Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre.

Curious to know how he did it and what it’s like to be a Spherion franchise owner? Keep reading for more about Phil’s journey.

Tell us a little about yourself

I’m from Allentown, Pennsylvania, and currently live there. My professional background was client relationship and new business development. My hobbies are sports, sports cars, music, and fish keeping. I've been married for 11 years and have a 9-year-old son.

What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?

I always had a desire to be an entrepreneur, and I’ve also always been a sales-minded individual. I love the idea of controlling my own destiny. I was an employee of Spherion Staffing & Recruiting and unfortunately lost my job due to a market downturn in 2009. Then I found out Spherion offered franchises and that I could invest in the company by opening my own location with the brand. 

Did you speak with other franchisees? Which questions did you ask?

Yes! I asked these questions: What is the financial earning potential? What is the time commitment? What support does the franchisor provide? How long did it take to start making money after you opened the doors?

Which questions did you ask Spherion leadership? 

How will you help with starting up? What is the average income of other Spherion franchise owners? What is the average tenure of other franchise owners? What market intelligence can you provide to support business development efforts? 

What were your biggest challenges when you first started out, and how did you overcome them? 

The biggest challenge was coming into a market in which I had no experience. It was 2009, and the US was in the midst of a recession. The unemployment rate was 12%, and companies were laying off all temporary workers and not willing to engage with new services. I overcame those roadblocks with a laser focus on business development and networking activities. Also, we made two acquisitions of existing franchisees to expand footprint and gain instant revenue.

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

I am not sure if there is a typical day, which is also why I love this business. However, generally speaking, my days/weeks are spent connecting with clients, supporting my leadership team and our sales team, and addressing any challenges they are facing.

How does Spherion support and encourage your success? 

Spherion has support services and processes in place to help with marketing, sales, back office, billing, and collections. They have a seasoned team with plenty of staffing experience who are readily available to us.

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

I think the biggest thing that I know now is Quickbooks.  It drives my overall management of the business, where there are opportunities of efficiency as well as gives a clear overall profitability of all of my locations.

What are you most proud of and why? 

Being able to start a business from zero and grow it in markets that I have never serviced, plus being able to hire and grow a team of high performers.

What advice would you give to new or potential franchise buyers? 

Understand the economics between the franchisor and franchisee. Have access to reserve capital, because it takes time to begin to be profitable. Ensure that you have a sales-minded approach in everything that you do. In other words, keep the main thing the main thing.

Setting your sights on franchise ownership

Phil’s journey is a great reminder that franchise ownership can offer more than just a new career; it can bring flexibility, personal satisfaction, and a chance to build something of your own. If you’ve ever daydreamed about running your own business but weren’t quite sure how to make it happen, franchising might be the right starting point. It offers the freedom of ownership with the added benefit of built-in guidance and support.

Curious about what’s possible? Dan Brunell, Spherion’s Regional Vice President of Franchise Development, is here to help. With more than 30 years of experience working with new franchisees, Dan is a friendly and knowledgeable resource who’s happy to talk through your questions. Whether you prefer to connect by phone, text, or email, Dan is ready when you are.