Franchise vs. Start From Scratch: Which Path Fits You?

Wondering if you should buy into an established franchise or strike out on your own? Both paths can lead to success — but they’re very different journeys.
In this candid, founder-led roundtable, we’ll explore the real-world pros and cons of franchising versus building your own business from scratch. Members who have walked these roads will share what drove their decision, the unexpected challenges they faced, the support (or lack of it) they found, and how each choice shaped their growth and freedom as business owners.
This isn’t a sales pitch — it’s a safe, open conversation to help you weigh the trade-offs, ask the questions you can’t Google, and find clarity before making a big leap.

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### 🗓 Meeting Schedule

• 7:00 PM — Mingle & meet fellow entrepreneurs
• 7:30 PM — Focused discussion on this week’s topic: Franchise vs. Start From Scratch
• 8:30 PM — Elevator pitch practice — get feedback, refine your message, and shine
• 9:00 PM — Wrap-up networking — connect, collaborate, and share insights

⚡ Please arrive by 7:30 PM to join the main discussion — but you’re welcome to jump in whenever you arrive.

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### 🎤 Elevator Pitch Details

Each participant who wants to pitch will have 30 seconds to 1 minute to share their idea, followed by 4 minutes of Q&A.
Audience members will get paper & pen to jot down honest, unfiltered feedback so you can review comments privately afterward.

If you’d like to pitch, please let the organizers know in advance so we can add you to the list and make sure everyone gets time to share.

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### 👔 Dress Code

Casual business attire — professional yet approachable (no shorts, sandals, or overly casual wear).

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### 👥 Who This Is For

• People exploring their first step into entrepreneurship
• Corporate professionals evaluating business ownership
• Experienced entrepreneurs willing to share their journey
• Experts and mentors helping others start and scale
• Investors curious about small business & franchise models

Also check out other Business events in Toronto, Meetups in Toronto.