Whatever your reason, the decision to buy a franchise is a very calculated risk.  Regardless of any economic challenges, the growth of franchising continues to be strong, and a great option for those who want to operate their own business.  Franchising provides motivated, new business owners the best possible chance of succeeding with the least amount of risk.  Industry experience is not required to operate a franchise.  I’ve consulted with numerous clients who are simply tired and bored with their white collar, techie jobs and want something completely different and challenging.  One was an electrical engineer who ultimately decided he was completely passionate about pet grooming and chose a franchise in that category.  The point is, because of its nature, franchising allows for a complete career overhaul for an individual wishing to change paths.

Although certain risks do exist in franchising, as in any business, there are many franchise concepts that are recession proof and some actually thrive in a weaker economy.  Any franchise with a solid track record will easily survive, and some even flourish, during down times.  Keep in mind that the bad economic condition is temporary and when it turns around, your business will grow even stronger. 

Franchising remains one of the fastest growing segments of the American business economy and will continue into the future for many reasons.  People are unhappy with the corporate world because of massive layoffs and office politics.  Business ownership is increasingly appealing to women and minorities, and many are looking at franchising.

Franchising continues to evolve and improve as a concept and in reality.  There are more opportunities for the creation of wealth for the franchisee, as well as the franchisor, than ever before.  The future of franchising is as bright as ever, even in a dim economy, and remains an excellent vehicle for allowing you to achieve your financial and personal goals.

Find Your Perfect Business

The original relationship between the employer and the employee will probably be around for a long time. However in the future it will not be as commonplace as it is today. People who used to work in a single department in a single function for most of their professional lives are now getting used to working more on a project by project basis. In most situations they are still on the same company’s payroll, however this is already starting to change.

Many employers are starting to outsource some of the work that was traditionally performed by employees to freelancers and small businesses. The disadvantages of having people on the payroll are starting to weigh in on their hiring decisions. With today’s high speed of technological change the necessary expertise to perform certain functions can literally change from year to year. In some areas it’s even more extreme. In many of these cases it’s simply easier and cheaper to hire different people on a limited time basis instead of continuously having one employee trying to keep up with all the different tricks of the trade.

This trend will have far reaching consequences for today’s workforce. Even the more experienced employees will have to stay sharp. They can’t sit on their laurels anymore because they will continuously have to prove their worth in new situations, more now than ever before.

Some consider this a huge threat to their career. The truth is, they probably should. Then again, some seem to be adapting to this phenomenon by looking at the opportunity that this brings them. More and more people today are starting their own part time businesses. Many do this while still working on their day job, either full- or part time. Scott Adams, author of the famous Dilbert comic, identifies this trend in his book “The Dilbert Future”. He claims this trend will become more prevalent in the years to come. Many of these newborn entrepreneurs start businesses that perform a function that was formerly performed by an employee. Sometimes people even come back to their original employer who has now become their customer.

Everybody knows running your own business can make you more money. There are a number of reasons for this. Of course you are probably more motivated and more results oriented than you would be working for someone else. You can also control your overhead better. Larger companies are not as efficient as they should be in many areas. Company policy sometimes drives up operating costs significantly. Certain companies hand out cell phones and laptops to all employees without taking proper notice of the need for such items. Also employees are less aware of many costs and business expenses. The bottom line is simply not a priority for them. If they had to pay for everything out of their own pocket this would probably be very different. The fact is: when you are in you’re own business you have to keep a very close eye on your bottom line or you’ll probably be out of business in no time.

This raises questions for many people who currently hold a job as well as the people they work for. Which functions will continue to be performed by employees and which jobs will be outsourced? It would be hard if not impossible to make an easy distinction at this point. Some companies may choose to retain employees for the same jobs that are outsourced by other companies. Each may have their reasons and who’s to say what’s right. It will depend on many different factors like: the importance of the job for that particular business, the ability to attract the right people and the company’s culture. Nobody could accurately predict what the situation will be ten to fifteen years from today.

One thing is for sure though: for many of us it will be vastly different than our current situation. The question is: Are you ready for it?

How do you know if you have what it takes to start a small business? There’s really no way to know for sure. But I do find things in common among the emotional and family fabric of people ready to consider an entrepreneurial venture.

You don’t have to fit all seven of these categories to be a good candidate for entrepreneurship. But it probably wouldn’t hurt. In general, the more you have in common with these characteristics, the closer you probably are to being ready to try going out on your own.

1. You come from a line of people who couldn’t work for someone else. I don’t mean that in a negative way. People who are successful at establishing their own business tend to have had parents who worked for themselves. It’s usually easier to get a job with a company than to start your own business; people who strike out on their own often have the direct example of a parent to look to.

2. You’re a lousy employee. No need to sugar-coat this one. People who start their own businesses tend to have been fired from or quit more than one job. I’m not saying you were laid off for lack of work or moved from one job to a better-paying one. You were asked to leave, or you quit before they could fire you. Think of it as the marketplace telling you that the only person who can effectively motivate and manage you is yourself.

3. You see more than one definition of “job security.” I am truly envious of the few people I know who have stayed with one employer for 25 or 30 years. They look very secure. But how many people do you know who are able to stay with one company for that long? In a rapidly changing economy, job security can be frighteningly fleeting.

4. You’ve gone as far as you can go, or you’re not going anywhere at all. Sometimes the motivation to start a new venture comes from having reached the top of the pile where you are, looking around, and saying, “What’s next?” Early success can be wonderful, but early retirement can sometimes drive energetic and motivated people totally crazy.

5. You’ve done the market research already. Don’t even talk to me about your great business idea if you haven’t put the time into figuring out if there’s a market for your product or service. As the people behind any number of failed Internet ventures will tell you, “cool” doesn’t necessarily translate into “profitable.” Don’t bother building it if you haven’t figured out whether there’s a good chance the customers will come.

6. You’ve got the support of your family. Starting a small business is stressful under the best of circumstances. Trying to do it without the support of your spouse or other significant family members or friends would probably be unbearable.

7. You know you cannot do it alone. You might excel at promoting a business. Maybe you love running the financial end of the enterprise. You could be someone who starts a business because you have unique creative or technical know-how to create a product.

Any of the above is possible, but it’s unlikely that you are going to excel at all of these tasks — or at all of the tasks involved in running any business. Forget all that doing it alone stuff. You are going to need some help sometime.

The willingness to get that help — having employees, partners or consultants for those areas in which you are not an expert — is one indicator of likely future success. “No successful entrepreneur has ever succeeded alone,” development consultant Ernesto Sirolli writes in “Ripples From the Zambezi.” “The person who is most capable of enlisting the support of others is the most likely to succeed.”

Perhaps one of the most surprising things noticeable is that the many people we come across taking a personal stake in their work and financial future in this way are perfectly normal people. Often we can visualise entrepreneurs as being high-flyer, city business men and women with more cash in the bank than the bank, and an already secure future.

The truth is that these people are perhaps least likely to leave the well trodden path of security, and that those of us who have taken the step of creating our own business idea, and following it through, are just ordinary individuals; people, in fact, like you and me.

So why are so many normal individuals deciding to leave the security of a traditional job and its reassuring income to become solely dependent upon their own wit and determination? There are many reasons, but perhaps these are the most common:

1. Financial security. This might seem an unlikely reason, given the apparent risk. But the truth is that fewer traditional jobs these days are anywhere near secure. Each time we turn on the news, we see reports of yet another major business or company either going under, or laying off vast numbers of employees. The days of job security are long gone, and increasingly employees are not considered the blood of the company, but expendable assets. Worse still is that very often the last people to hear of any financial instability and likely action are the employees themselves. Often those facing job losses are the last to hear of it. Being reliant on other people above you can be a constant worry, and being able to cut those ties, and be responsible to no one but yourself allows you to relax a little, knowing that you know everything about how the business is doing, and where you stand.

2. Enthusiasm. Relatively few people employed in traditional jobs can claim to be enthusiastic about the work they do. Some people can, but sadly the majority of people find work merely a tedious means to an end, rather than something which excites them, and motivates them. When you wake up in the morning, do you go to work because you have to, or because you want to? Entrepreneurialism enables people to pursue dreams and personal goals, and when combined with a personal stake and personal responsibility, this can become a powerful motivating force. Needless to say, the more motivated you are, the more likely you are to succeed. Almost exclusively, entrepreneurs enjoy a higher quality of life, and worry less because of the personal feeling of purpose, progress and success.

3. Making a difference. How much of a difference can we really make towards a business’ overall success? It can be easy to feel downhearted, watching our hard work filed away for future reference, merely a tick on an agenda distantly glimpsed through a manager’s door. Many entrepreneurs want to feel useful, and enjoy knowing that everything they are doing, each working day, is making a difference. That difference affects a great many people, from the person themselves, to their family, and of course those customers who take advantage of the service or product being offered.

Any of these reasons make it clear why this way of living represents a tremendous advantage in terms of the quality of life and attitude to work. But with all these benefits, there are clearly some issues which will justifiably cause some people concern.

Often people associate being an entrepreneur with being a risk taker or a gambler, having huge financial backing or a team of people to support you. In fact, none of these things are true or necessary. Very few entrepreneurs would consider themselves gamblers. Perhaps those workers who turn up to work each day in traditional jobs are gambling every bit as much, yet never knowing exactly how the dice is falling until they’re made redundant. Those working for themselves tend to have a very good game plan, a good understanding of the way forward, of the product or service, the marketing and how best to approach the dream of running their own business.

It needs planning, certainly, and plenty of preparation. But you don’t need any financial backing in many cases, and you don’t need a team of people. In terms of starting your own business, what you do need to be able to set out on your own, working for yourself and running your own company, is passion, a dream, and plenty of ambition. With many forums on the web it is easier than ever to share experience and understanding of being an entrepreneur by talking with those who have already taken the plunge.

Entrepreneurialism is not only working the hours that you want to work, but usually involves working more! It’s also about taking the risk and having the initiative to realize your dreams. It’s not an easy way to make money at the start, so don’t consider it if you are dreaming of getting out of bed at noon and enjoying cocktails on the yacht. That comes later – much later. It does mean that you don’t have to keep the boss happy (unless you are married!).

It could also mean enjoying the things that you love and having the time to enjoy them, but also means passing it all up until you are able to do that. But to top it all, it means earning a higher income in the longer term with a business of your own. It usually takes anywhere between three and five years for a business to start making serious money. If you are luck to breakeven in the first couple of years you are doing well.

Having your own business will definitely give you a lot more freedom to do as you wish in due course… but there is a price to pay. If you do decide to take the plunge into entrepreneurialism and find a gap in the market, you will realise a new world of possibilities.

The things you will be able to do if / when you are successful are usually only dreams of a regular employee, but have you ever thought about making it a reality? Most people will tell you that a business of your own is the key, but how do you go about it?

There is no more job security and it would then be up to you to maintain your family in a good standard of living. However, if you have the spirit of entrepreneurialism in you, then you will be able to provide your family with a much higher standard of living than they have enjoyed to date; and the security of knowing that your fate is in your own hands.

Think about what you are doing now: you are working hard for the company, not really for your family. With the work that you do, who is earning the most? The answer to that question is obvious. Not you! How about setting up a business of your own? This is the day that you can open up your eyes to a different perspective of work, and make the decision to work for yourself.

The first step to becoming an entrepreneur is to make a choice. You decide whether you want to work for yourself or somebody else. You should decide whether you want a better quality of life, not only for you but for your family. In fact, entrepreneurs usually involve their families in the business and it is a great gift to pass on to your children someday.

The second step is learning what kind of business you’re going into. What field will you enter? What kind of business fits you? What type of entrepreneur are you? Note down all your strengths, weaknesses, interests, desires, and the hobbies that you like. What is your passion? What interests you the most?

Make sure that it is something that you love. It should be something that you enjoy doing. It should not feel like work! Most successful businesses will relate tales of founders who lived and breathed the business that they started. Most successful entrepreneurs would say that they enjoy their business life as much as they enjoy real life.

In becoming an entrepreneur, the third step involves researching your chosen business, and finding gaps in the market that have not yet been filled or can be handled much more competently. This is the most important part of the entire process: you cannot be an entrepreneur by being a ‘me too’. You have to lead the field, and do something new or a lot better.

Without enough research, your new business will only lead to an expensive hobby. Chances are, instead of the business supplying you with a steady income, you will be providing unnecessary expenses for a business that might fail in a very short period of time. Research involves checking out the market and the competition, and deciding that if competition is high, you look elsewhere. A gap in the market is what you should be looking for. Entrepreneurialism is all about finding that gap and taking advantage of it.

You cannot just decide to be an entrepreneur, nor are you born to be one. You must know how to take advantage of an opportunity, and also how to find that opportunity. However, when you do, you must put yourself into it wholeheartedly and stay with it until you own a chunk of that market segment. That is entrepreneurialism.

It is really a very sad and scary time in our nation right now.  So many people have lost their jobs, even long time jobs of over 20 years.  Where do they do?  What in the world do these people do if that is the only job experience they have ever had?  Where is our job security?  I really hurt for these people, some of which are close to me.

I have been to numerous seminars over the years to see the droves of people entering into a new life style of starting a home based business.  Did you know that every 11 seconds someone starts a home based business?  What does that tell you?  People are looking for a new alternative way to secure their financial future, and in a way that will prevent them from every being laid off!

Because of this current economy, this is the best time to get involved with a company like AmeriPlan®.  Not only will you be creating a great financial future for yourself, there are so many people out there trying to do that same thing, that you can help too! Not to mention, all the people who lost their jobs have also lost their health care.  But look at the rest of our country.  Half the people that make a decent income can’t even afford the rising cost of health care.  Being in this industry to help all of these individuals is very rewarding.

Research confirmed that 7 out of 10 Americans have no dental coverage and about half of American’s have no health insurance at all.  That is a staggering amount considering America’s population is growing tremendously and the percentages stay the same.  Why?  Because health insurance is outrageously high.  Major health companies are for-profit, meaning that they are not out to help consumers, but they want to make money.  Over the past 10 years, premiums have gone up more than 200%.  That is insane considering American’s have become healthier over that time period.

AmeriPlan® Discount Dental and Medical Benefits could solve one of our nations hugest problems.  The health care industry would hate it, but the consumers would be happy.  Now that Blue Cross and Blue Shield has seen the success in AmeriPlan, they have decided to follow suit with their new benefits program.  Go figure? AmeriPlan® cuts out the middle man and takes you straight to your health care provider.  With thousands of providers nationwide, including big name pharmacies, this isn’t an option you want to pass on.

AmeriPlan® Dental Plus is only $19.95 a month for your entire household.  This includes dental, vision, prescription and chiropractic benefits.  The program saves you up to 80% on your dental services.  There are no forms to fill out, no limits on visits, and all ongoing problems are accepted.  Even cosmetic dentistry and braces are included.

Included in the Dental Plus Program:

VISION:  There are over 12,000 providers nationwide such as Lens Crafters, Pearle Vision, Sears, Target optical and more.  Savings include 10-55% off on eye exams, and surgery, including LASIX!  You can also save up to 60% on glasses. 

PRESCRIPTION: Providers include all major pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, Target, Wal-Mart and even grocery store pharmacies. 

CHIROPRACTIC: Over 7,500 participating doctors.  Your first consultation is FREE!  Members save 30% on services.

AmeriPlan® also have 3 medical plans ranging from $29.95-$59.95 with 400,00 providers nationwide.  All ongoing medical problems are accepted.  Again, no claim forms to fill out, no limits on visits or services and even cosmetic procedures accepted. Discounted saving for Medical are up to 50%. AmeriPlan® Basic Health offers a 24 hour Nurse Line available to members that could help you avoid a waisted trip to the doctor.  And if you have children, this service is PRICELESS!  Should hospital services be required, a patient advocate will negotiate with the hospital on your behalf as a part of out Hospital Advocacy Program, included with in the plan.  You have the freedom to change physicians when ever you want.  Plan includes Physician care, ancillary services, Hospital Advocacy and the 24 hour Nurse Line.

Not only does AmeriPlan® offer a much needed service at affordable costs to over 2 million members, they also offer a unique way to work from home.

When you start a home based business with AmeriPlan®, all the training is provided and on-going.  Two positions are available:  Training Specialist or Benefits Specialist.  You can work either position or both.

Training Specialist:
Because every 11 seconds someone is starting a home based business, as a trainer you can help these eager seekers find what they are looking for.  You will be trained step-by-step how to master this position. There is NO telemarketing or cold calling involved with this company.

AmeriPlan® caters to all walks of life.  There are many stay at home moms, dads, students, grandparents, teachers and entrepreneurs all working in this business.  Some work PT around their current work schedule while others have fired there bosses for good! 

Benefits Specialist:
This position is for those motivated to helping others save money on their healthcare.  This is very rewarding as well as you are educating people about a better way and potentially saving them hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year. 

It is estimated that 7 out of 10 people (140 million) have no form of dental or vision.  We all know people with teeth and eyes, people that take prescriptions or someone that has some form of back pain.  Why no help them save a substantial amount of money on one  of our plans and get paid for doing it?

The market for AmeriPlan® Benefits is huge.  Many companies are downsizing, and people are being laid off.  Vast numbers of individuals are retiring.  Part-timers and small business owners can’t afford to provide any coverage for their employees. AmeriPlan® is the new way to healthcare!  People are always very excited to hear about the offered benefits and how much money they can save.  That is why AmeriPlan® is the largest Discount Medical Benefits company in the United States today!

To get an overview of the programs and to look up providers in your area, visit www.Isaveonhealthcare.com

AmeriPlan® is a member of The US Chamber of Commerce, The Consumer Health Alliance and The National Association of Dental Plans.  They have been features on 60 minutes, in the Wall Street Journal, The NY Times and many other work from home publications. 

To learn more about starting your very own home based business and to request an interview, visit www.myjobisablessing.com

It is really a very sad and scary time in our nation right now.  So many people have lost their jobs, even long time jobs of over 20 years.  Where do they do?  What in the world do these people do if that is the only job experience they have ever had?  Where is our job security?  I really hurt for these people, some of which are close to me.

I have been to numerous seminars over the years to see the droves of people entering into a new life style of starting a home based business.  Did you know that every 11 seconds someone starts a home based business?  What does that tell you?  People are looking for a new alternative way to secure their financial future, and in a way that will prevent them from every being laid off!

Because of this current economy, this is the best time to get involved with a company like AmeriPlan®.  Not only will you be creating a great financial future for yourself, there are so many people out there trying to do that same thing, that you can help too! Not to mention, all the people who lost their jobs have also lost their health care.  But look at the rest of our country.  Half the people that make a decent income can’t even afford the rising cost of health care.  Being in this industry to help all of these individuals is very rewarding.

Research confirmed that 7 out of 10 Americans have no dental coverage and about half of American’s have no health insurance at all.  That is a staggering amount considering America’s population is growing tremendously and the percentages stay the same.  Why?  Because health insurance is outrageously high.  Major health companies are for-profit, meaning that they are not out to help consumers, but they want to make money.  Over the past 10 years, premiums have gone up more than 200%.  That is insane considering American’s have become healthier over that time period.

AmeriPlan® Discount Dental and Medical Benefits could solve one of our nations hugest problems.  The health care industry would hate it, but the consumers would be happy.  Now that Blue Cross and Blue Shield has seen the success in AmeriPlan, they have decided to follow suit with their new benefits program.  Go figure? AmeriPlan® cuts out the middle man and takes you straight to your health care provider.  With thousands of providers nationwide, including big name pharmacies, this isn’t an option you want to pass on.

AmeriPlan® Dental Plus is only $19.95 a month for your entire household.  This includes dental, vision, prescription and chiropractic benefits.  The program saves you up to 80% on your dental services.  There are no forms to fill out, no limits on visits, and all ongoing problems are accepted.  Even cosmetic dentistry and braces are included.

Included in the Dental Plus Program:

VISION:  There are over 12,000 providers nationwide such as Lens Crafters, Pearle Vision, Sears, Target optical and more.  Savings include 10-55% off on eye exams, and surgery, including LASIX!  You can also save up to 60% on glasses. 

PRESCRIPTION: Providers include all major pharmacies like Walgreens, CVS, RiteAid, Target, Wal-Mart and even grocery store pharmacies. 

CHIROPRACTIC: Over 7,500 participating doctors.  Your first consultation is FREE!  Members save 30% on services.

AmeriPlan® also have 3 medical plans ranging from $29.95-$59.95 with 400,00 providers nationwide.  All ongoing medical problems are accepted.  Again, no claim forms to fill out, no limits on visits or services and even cosmetic procedures accepted. Discounted saving for Medical are up to 50%. AmeriPlan® Basic Health offers a 24 hour Nurse Line available to members that could help you avoid a waisted trip to the doctor.  And if you have children, this service is PRICELESS!  Should hospital services be required, a patient advocate will negotiate with the hospital on your behalf as a part of out Hospital Advocacy Program, included with in the plan.  You have the freedom to change physicians when ever you want.  Plan includes Physician care, ancillary services, Hospital Advocacy and the 24 hour Nurse Line.

Not only does AmeriPlan® offer a much needed service at affordable costs to over 2 million members, they also offer a unique way to work from home.

When you start a home based business with AmeriPlan®, all the training is provided and on-going.  Two positions are available:  Training Specialist or Benefits Specialist.  You can work either position or both.

Training Specialist:
Because every 11 seconds someone is starting a home based business, as a trainer you can help these eager seekers find what they are looking for.  You will be trained step-by-step how to master this position. There is NO telemarketing or cold calling involved with this company.

AmeriPlan® caters to all walks of life.  There are many stay at home moms, dads, students, grandparents, teachers and entrepreneurs all working in this business.  Some work PT around their current work schedule while others have fired there bosses for good! 

Benefits Specialist:
This position is for those motivated to helping others save money on their healthcare.  This is very rewarding as well as you are educating people about a better way and potentially saving them hundreds, even thousands of dollars a year. 

It is estimated that 7 out of 10 people (140 million) have no form of dental or vision.  We all know people with teeth and eyes, people that take prescriptions or someone that has some form of back pain.  Why no help them save a substantial amount of money on one  of our plans and get paid for doing it?

The market for AmeriPlan® Benefits is huge.  Many companies are downsizing, and people are being laid off.  Vast numbers of individuals are retiring.  Part-timers and small business owners can’t afford to provide any coverage for their employees. AmeriPlan® is the new way to healthcare!  People are always very excited to hear about the offered benefits and how much money they can save.  That is why AmeriPlan® is the largest Discount Medical Benefits company in the United States today!

To get an overview of the programs and to look up providers in your area, visit www.Isaveonhealthcare.com

AmeriPlan® is a member of The US Chamber of Commerce, The Consumer Health Alliance and The National Association of Dental Plans.  They have been features on 60 minutes, in the Wall Street Journal, The NY Times and many other work from home publications. 

To learn more about starting your very own home based business and to request an interview, visit www.myjobisablessing.com