Comments on: Do I want to do this?

By: Betty Otte

Betty Otte — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 02:52:32 +0000

Hi, Susan: you are totally correct regarding alternative business models. I know of several different industry segments that have hugely successful network marketing opportunities. The trend may have started with cosmetics, but now there is literally an industry segment for almost anyone’s liking. Thank you for making that point and for bringing up the importance of a mentor. That is what SCORE is here for and in most cases we are able to provide someone that was in the same industry you are in. Check out http://www.score.org for the chapter nearest you.
Betty

By: Susan/Unique Business Opportunity

Susan/Unique Business Opportunity — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 21:41:51 +0000

There are excellent network marketing companyies out there who offer benefits very similar to a franchise but do not require a large investment to get started. Sometimes the money is what stops people from following their dreams of being self-emoloyed. I would also like to add that regardless of the business model, the value of having mentors and people who will guide you is immeasurable

By: Betty Otte

Betty Otte — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 23:34:09 +0000

Hi, Derryl: If you live in the Los Angeles area there is a very large Franchise show in town this week. I went on google and found
3,760,000 sites for buying a franchise. I can see where that would be
overwhelming. Each January Entrepreneur Magazine lists the top 500 franchises in all the 80 plus industries. A public library would have the ‘08 edition which is a good place to start narrowing down categories of interest.
http://www.internationalfranchiseassociation.com is the industry informational source and a good place to start on line as is franchiseexpo.com. There are franchise brokers such as Frannet,who are there to help you sift through the opportunities, but remember they will only lead you to franchises they have for sale. http://www.frannet.com.
Hope this helps, Derryl. It is only a start, but if you call your local SCORE office and ask for a volunteer with franchising expertise, they can walk you step by step through the exploration process.
Betty

By: Derryl

Derryl — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 12:52:30 +0000

Hi Betty:
Thanks for the posting. Can you recommend resources that I could use to survey the various franchise opportunities that exist? Are there websites, books or trade events where all the opportunities are presented in one place?
Derryl