| So, here we are in 2006 and you may still be trying | | | | potential buying and selling opportunities for anything |
| to figure out what to do with the rest of your life. If | | | | from cars to designer handbags to vintage comic |
| self-employment has been a long-time dream, you | | | | books? To ensure success, franchisees are given |
| might wonder "How does one get there and minimize | | | | extensive training on how to value items, "selling |
| risk?" Or if you are tired of the corporate life and | | | | strategies" to optimize bids and ways to market the |
| want to control your own destiny, you may wonder | | | | business.FITNESS, WEIGHT LOSS AND WELLNESS: |
| "Can I break free from the corporate cult?"The | | | | Many have thought this industry was saturated but |
| answer to minimizing your risk, controlling your | | | | new concepts emerge every year as people are |
| destiny and uncapping your earnings potential could | | | | willing to try almost anything to look fabulous. Curves |
| be through a franchise business. Franchising a | | | | is a runaway success and proof that the search for |
| business format has been around for more than 60 | | | | fresh approaches to looking and feeling better are |
| years. And this style of business is more than just a | | | | unending. And, why not? Millions of Americans every |
| booming trend. According to the International | | | | year start a new program to lose weight, look |
| Franchise Association, franchised sales account for | | | | better, feel better and avoid obesity. Approximately, |
| almost 10% of private sector output and 1 in 7 jobs | | | | 33% of Americans made fitness their #1 New Year's |
| in the US. These businesses are so hot that top | | | | resolution in 2006, up from 26% last year. According |
| business schools, such as Kellogg School of | | | | to the International Health, Racquet & Sports Club |
| Management at Northwestern University, are adding | | | | Association, health club memberships increased nearly |
| franchise classes to their elective curriculums and | | | | 5% to over 41 million members in 2005. But, weight |
| those classes have waiting lists.A common potential | | | | management isn't the only definition of fitness and |
| issue business owners face, especially those with | | | | health. Pampering one's self, matching outward |
| already lucrative careers, is how will you continue to | | | | appearance with inward attitude and attacking stress |
| take care of your obligations while you build your | | | | reduction, stimulate the rapid growth of day and |
| dream? Recent research suggests that you can turn | | | | medical spas. As long we are all searching for the |
| dreams into reality through planning for your business, | | | | fountain of youth, the wellness industry will continue |
| researching industries, building your business in stages | | | | to boom.SENIOR CARE: 2006 is the year that the |
| and focusing on the many benefits of | | | | first Baby Boomers turn 60. By today's standards 60 |
| self-employment. Many day-job converts soon realize | | | | is young. But just as this group had an impact on the |
| that you can either work hard for someone else or | | | | labor market and education system, this massive |
| you can work hard for yourself.I often hear "But, I | | | | group of Americans will have an impact on resources |
| didn't spend time building my nice life to turn around | | | | for the retired and elderly. Most of the "senior |
| and make sandwiches all day". Want to know a | | | | population" are opting not to live in a senior care |
| secret? Franchises are no longer all about food. In | | | | facility and insisting on living in their own house. While |
| fact, less than 30% of franchise opportunities are | | | | living at home provides a better quality of life and is |
| food. That means an incredible range of | | | | less costly than most alternatives, it provides a |
| self-employment opportunities especially in the | | | | dilemma for seniors and their families. The collision of |
| lucrative business to business professional sector. | | | | aging and independence means Americans will cope |
| Amazingly, there is a franchise for almost any type | | | | with illness, loss of mobility and the effects of aging, |
| of business in the US economy. The trick is to pick | | | | increasing the demand to provide medical and |
| the right one for you.With literally thousands of | | | | non-medical in-home care. In addition, some seniors |
| franchises, which ones are on the upswing? What | | | | may need a helping hand for a few hours a day while |
| trends seem to be the most sustainable? Is one of | | | | others will want a full-time arrangement. With this |
| these right for you? For 2006, here are the latest | | | | segment ready to explode, franchisors catering to |
| trends and opportunities for you to review:PETS: The | | | | this market offer full training programs to teach |
| pet industry is hot and Americans love their pets The | | | | franchisees on how to successfully hire caregivers, |
| American Pet Products Manufacturers Association | | | | manage the business and market it in their local |
| estimates that pet owners took pride in spending | | | | areas.BUSINESS TO BUSINESS: The ultimate sleeper |
| $36 billion on lavish products and services for their | | | | franchise. Small business represents 99.7% of private |
| pooches, kitty cats and other members of the animal | | | | employers and account for more than 50% of the |
| kingdom. With this continued trend of doling out | | | | non-farm gross domestic product which is $6 trillion |
| whatever it takes to make our furry friends happy | | | | of the GDP1. Yes, trillion with a "T". Of these |
| and comfortable, some specific money-makers | | | | businesses, nearly 70% employ 5 or less employees |
| include doggy day cares, walking and sitting services, | | | | which means they often can't afford specialized, |
| pet supply stores, gourmet treats and mobile pet | | | | in-house staff to do everything like big corporations. |
| grooming.KIDS: According to Admissions Consultants | | | | Consequently, outsourcing to experts continues to be |
| in Virginia, the competition for college is fierce for a | | | | the trend. While some categories are standard like |
| number of reasons. First, an "echo" of births from | | | | web design, marketing and advertising, newer ones |
| Baby Boomers - not expected to peak until 2008- | | | | like HR consulting, business coaching, and financial |
| and immigrant families with teenage children coupled | | | | advising are popping up. For many newly-minted, |
| with learning institutions not increasing the number of | | | | corporate escapees, business-to-business professional |
| slots for freshman classes is pushing the demand for | | | | service firms that value the importance of affordable, |
| limited openings. Second, a constant increase since | | | | top-notch expertise and excellent customer service |
| 1970 of college attendance across all economic levels | | | | are a brilliant choice.HOME IMPROVEMENT: |
| means more kids are vying for limited space at the | | | | Low-interest rates, a persistent housing boom, and a |
| nation's top schoolsAs a result the need for | | | | continued fascination with bringing high-quality |
| supplemental child education programs is growing to | | | | entertainment to your house help make the home |
| ensure Johnny and Suzy make it to college. | | | | decorating and remodeling fields stand-out. Everything |
| Competition amongst students is not only intense but | | | | from window fashions to kitchen remodeling, from |
| it starts early. Additionally, inadequate or second-rate | | | | outside decks to stained glass specialty items create |
| public education pile on the need. Supplemental | | | | a mass of options for sprucing up one's home. An |
| education ranges from art classes, science programs, | | | | increase in real estate values has created an |
| supplemental math and English tutoring programs as | | | | interesting dynamic - a large group of homeowners |
| well as fitness focused programs. And, don't forget | | | | who can't afford to move, but have good equity in |
| the myriad of sports and fitness clinics that teach | | | | their house. Many are tapping into their 2nd mortgage |
| better athletics for well rounded kids. High school | | | | and using some of the proceeds to remodel or do an |
| students enrolling in a supplemental review class for | | | | addition to the house. All this adds up to making |
| the SATs is now common place when it used to be | | | | home improvement a continued winner.Are you |
| just for upper income families. Now, middle class | | | | dreaming of self employment? Being your own boss? |
| families have increased disposable income and want | | | | Calling your own shots and reaping the rewards? Or |
| similar perks for their kids. It is a perfect industry for | | | | is the risk of leaving your cushy corporate job |
| the stay at home spouse who loves kids and wants | | | | stopping you cold? If you've read this far you, |
| a fun and rewarding part-time business.FOOD: | | | | maybe you are ready to be the next franchise |
| Quick-serve restaurants are more and more popular. | | | | owner.Yet, only 3% of small businesses are |
| The National Restaurant Association estimates sales | | | | franchises. Why? Because most would-be |
| in 2005 exceeded $134 billion, up nearly 5% from the | | | | entrepreneurs want to "wing it" themselves. A |
| previous year. People today want fresh and healthy | | | | sobering statistic is that 60% of businesses fail after |
| options that fit into their busy lifestyle. The fast food | | | | 6 years. Buying into a franchise gives the franchise |
| days of the golden arches and the colonel are fading. | | | | owner a proven profit model and a process by which |
| More importantly, people are also willing to pay more | | | | profits can come quickly. If being self-employed, |
| for these quality options. Baby boomers who grew | | | | minimizing risk, using a sound business model with |
| up on fast food are now getting older and realizing | | | | good training and support, and running a profitable |
| that a healthy diet can make a huge impact on their | | | | business sounds good to you then franchising is the |
| health. The biggest trends involve salads, soups, | | | | ticket. Ultimately it is you who makes the business |
| sandwiches and other healthy options that make | | | | successful. It is you who must feel good and bring |
| people feel good about their meal and snack | | | | passion to your work. But, you don't have to go it |
| choices.eBAY CONSIGNMENT STORES: The eBay | | | | alone if you buy a franchise.1: Source: SBA, "Small |
| phenomenon continues as one person's junk is | | | | Business by the Numbers," June 2004Chris Tun Zan is |
| another person's treasure. With close to 170 million | | | | a business matchmaker for those seeking |
| eBay users worldwide and growing, an eBay auction | | | | self-employment. He works with families and |
| company could be your bid for financial success. | | | | individuals to identify the right business opportunities |
| Almost every household has "stuff" they would love | | | | for themselves. Chris helps those seeking self |
| to sell but don't know how. With your eBay business, | | | | employment get a head start by rolling together his |
| you take the pain out of listing on-line and collecting | | | | many years of experience in marketing, finance, and |
| payment in return for 30%-50% of the sale. What a | | | | operations to help his clients achieve their dreams of |
| great deal for the franchisee since you are not | | | | business ownership. |
| buying or owning any inventory. And what about the | | | | |