APRIL 5, 2026 • DENISE KENSON • FLAGLER BEACH, FLORIDA
Month 2: Research Mode, Spouse Brainstorms & The Big Decision
One month after hitting “publish” on my very first raw post, things started to shift.
I’ll be honest — I wasn’t ready to share that first post with the world. I was still deep in the fog of the layoff. But just writing it down helped more than I expected.
As I shared in Month 1, those early weeks were filled with panic-mode résumé updates and interviews. Then came the powerful “Why am I rushing back into the same system?” moment.
Diving Deep Into Research
With that clarity, Month 2 became all about learning. Late nights, endless coffee, and spreadsheets everywhere. I researched franchising, buying an existing business, and everything in between.
The Big “Aha” Decision
After weeks of research, the math became clear: We wanted an existing business with strong Seller’s Discretionary Earnings (SDE). That decision felt right in my gut.
Key Lessons from Month 2
- Involve your spouse early — it turns fear into teamwork.
- Don’t rush into franchising without talking to a neutral expert.
- Be patient with NDAs and CIMs — they’re worth it.
- Trust your instincts when something looks too good to be true.
You’re not alone. Whether you’re deep in research mode or standing at a crossroads — I see you.