Most people dream of ditching the 9-to-5 grind and starting their own businesses. Some manage to do it successfully, but entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart. Adding franchise ownership to the mix raises the stakes even higher—that’s where Black Box Franchising comes in.

Founded by Kika Wise, Daren Hawthorne, and Jae Sims, Black Box Franchising was born out of a shared passion for helping Black-owned businesses thrive. The three visionaries met on a panel and quickly realized their common goal: empowering small business owners to scale through franchising. Their platform doesn’t just help businesses survive—it ensures long-term sustainability in an unpredictable market.

Before joining forces, Daren and Kika were both working independently to support entrepreneurs. After speaking on a franchising panel at Invest Fest, they discovered their mutual passion for educating small business owners about franchising. A year later, they decided to partner on the venture. Kika and Jae also knew each other through the entrepreneurial world—she admired his marketing expertise and digital business acumen. With their combined strengths, Black Box was launched with the mission of helping small business owners grow by turning their ventures into franchise systems.

Their primary mission is to address the disproportionate closure rates of Black small businesses, which often struggle due to a lack of capital, resources, and the challenges of an ever-changing market. By teaching Black entrepreneurs how to scale, brand, and franchise their businesses, Black Box has helped dozens of business owners build true generational wealth.

Each co-founder brings a unique skill set to their clients. Daren emphasizes that franchising operates differently from other business models. “This works for us because we have real experience in franchising, which is crucial,” he explains. “Experience is key—there are unique rules, strategies, and ways to manage franchisees and operate as a franchisor at a high level.”

Daren also highlights the importance of adaptability in franchising. “The ability to think strategically and creatively is something we bring to the table,” he adds.

Kika’s journey began with just $500, which she transformed into a national brand. She became one of the few Black women to own a stretch studio franchise, which is still operating today. She wants to dispel the myth that franchising is only for major corporations.

“A lot of people think franchising is only for big brands like McDonald's,” she explains. “We work hard to show them that small businesses can also scale into national brands. I did it, and so can you.”

One of Kika’s biggest priorities is educating clients on the value of intellectual property ownership. Black Box provides a crash course on securing trademarks and logos, ensuring entrepreneurs maintain full control of their businesses. Most importantly, all three co-founders emphasize the critical role franchising plays in creating generational wealth.

“We have to reach a point where businesses and brands can be passed down to the next generation,” Kika says. “Franchising allows a brand to outlive the entrepreneur who started it, ensuring long-term wealth in our small business community.”

Daren agrees, pointing out that franchising enables business owners to expand without relying solely on their own capital. “It’s perpetual—royalties don’t die with the founder or original owner,” he explains. “As long as the business operates, those revenue streams continue.”

Jae echoes this sentiment, calling franchising a proven system. “It’s results-driven,” he says.

For those looking to transition out of the 9-to-5 model, Jae stresses the importance of consistency and an open mindset. All three co-founders agree that passion should guide the journey, but strategic planning is key when deciding the right time to leave a traditional job.