I applied and interviewed for the GM position at Waxing in the City, which is a franchise-based operation. The franchise owner I interviewed with has a background in tech and is looking to transition into the beauty industry. What stood out as unusual during this interview was the lack of preparedness from the owner. As someone who is highly qualified for this role and has successfully managed a $10 million region, I asked a few business-related questions to gauge the owner’s mindset regarding metrics and strategy. Instead of providing clear answers, the owner seemed flustered and responded with vague phrases like “Oh, there are KPIs and such and such,” without addressing the actual questions. When I followed up, the owner asked, “Why are you worried about it? Why are you asking me this?” This response was a significant red flag. For a business owner, being unable to answer basic questions about their numbers or strategy—and instead deflecting or becoming defensive—signals a lack of readiness to realistically manage the business or to empower someone capable to take the reins. Another red flag was the owner’s claim that there were no other Waxing in the City locations in the area. However, having done my research, I found that there are three locations in the greater Bay Area, including his, and an additional location in Sacramento. This showed me that the owner either hadn’t done their homework or assumed I wouldn’t do mine, which is concerning for someone entering a competitive market. I ultimately chose to end the interview and politely explained that this would not be a good fit for me. If a business owner cannot answer critical questions, appears unprepared or uneasy with real-world scenarios, or makes inaccurate claims about their market, it raises serious concerns about their ability to succeed. In my humble opinion, owning a business requires a clear vision, transparency, and a willingness to trust and collaborate with experienced professionals. Without these qualities, building a successful operation will be an uphill battle.