Week 1 – Welcome to the Deep End

Here’s how I stumbled into the starting line:

This was my first official week as a home inspection franchisee. “Orientation” sounded gentle going in. What I actually got felt more like a firehose of information—and I don’t mean that in a bad way, just an overwhelming one.

I met the support team. I got access to the franchise portal. My inbox exploded with links, passwords, and checklists. It was like Christmas morning meets a corporate scavenger hunt. And let’s talk about tech: I had no idea how many systems go into just *preparing* to inspect homes. The CRM, the scheduling tool, the inspection software, the marketing dashboard. All useful. All new.

The biggest “uh oh” moment of the week:

About three hours into day one, I had a full-blown case of “I have no idea what I’m doing.” Not in a hopeless way—more like standing on a beach and realizing the ocean goes out way further than you thought. I wasn’t just learning a trade. I was learning a business. A brand. A process.

The good news is, the support team didn’t just throw a binder at me and disappear. They walked me through it step by step, which was great… once I remembered to slow down and breathe.

What totally blindsided me this week:

I didn’t expect the emotional rollercoaster. I went from confident to clueless to curious to quietly panicking, sometimes all before lunch. There was this weird moment when I was setting up my branded email and thought, “Wait… people are going to contact me expecting answers. Am I the expert now?” That’s a heavy shift.

Also, tiny detail—but I didn’t realize just how big my territory was. Seeing it laid out on a map made it real. There are a lot of homes here. A lot of agents. A lot of opportunity. And a lot of ground to cover—figuratively and literally.

How I regrouped and moved forward:

I gave myself permission not to know everything right away. That sounds basic, but I needed to hear it (probably daily). I started a notebook labeled “Dumb Questions I Should Ask,” and it’s already filling up. I also learned how helpful it is to break the week into mini-wins: I figured out the CRM. I downloaded the inspection software. I introduced myself to the support coach. Progress!

Next time I’m overwhelmed, I’ll remind myself: the chaos is temporary, the confidence is coming.

The system that had my back this week:

Honestly? The franchise portal. It’s laid out with so much thought. Every step I needed to take was there, in order. Videos, tutorials, checklists—it felt like a GPS for this business. And having a real human coach I could Slack with? Game-changer. I asked a dozen “Is this dumb?” questions and every time got a reply like, “Not dumb at all—glad you asked.” That tone of support makes a huge difference.

What I’m eyeing for next week:

I want to get my business fully set up—banking, insurance, LLC, phone, website. The stuff I usually procrastinate because it’s not as “fun” as branding or gear. But I know it’s critical, and I want it out of the way early so I can focus on learning inspections, not logistics. My checklist is long, but I’m breaking it down and attacking it bit by bit.

One thing I’d absolutely do again:

Leaning on the franchise team without shame. I didn’t try to be the hero. I asked for help. I took notes. I clicked every tutorial. It might not feel sexy, but in a week like this, curiosity and humility are superpowers. I’ll keep using them.

→ Up next: Week 2: Business Setup — LLCs, Banking, Scheduling Software, Panic

← Missed how it all started? Week 0: Why I Signed the Agreement

Thinking about starting your own business? Check out this franchise opportunity.