Tag Archives: small business ownership

Can You Succeed with a Work-at-Home Job?

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Along with the upsides of working from home – like being your own boss and working your own hours – there are downsides, namely, being your own boss and working your own hours. You may have the talent to work at home but you also need the discipline. Ask yourself these three questions to decide whether working at home is for you.

 

Do I take the initiative?
Rather than waiting for tasks from an employer, at home you have to make work for yourself. Whether it’s finding new clients or brainstorming a new product, you are solely responsible for keeping your home business going.

 

How well do I manage my time?
You’re free to check your social networking accounts all day when you work at home, but one simple fact remains: no work, no pay. Time management skills are a must for maintaining a steady rate of production.

 

Is my family supportive?
Relatives may have a hard time understanding that you aren’t free just because you’re at home all day. If you aren’t comfortable setting clear boundaries regarding your work schedule, be prepared to deal with constant interruptions.

 

Answering ‘no’ to any of these questions is a sign that you aren’t ready to work at home. Working at home part-time can allow you to see for yourself whether you have what it takes to work at home for good.

To learn more about independent business and franchise opportunities, many of which will allow you to work from home, visit www.FranchiseBuy.com.

Why Owning a Franchise Needs to Be One of Your New Year’s Resolutions

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You made it! The Mayans were wrong, your family didn’t drive you completely crazy during Christmas and civilization endures. But, there’s another hurtle left to jump: your list of resolutions for 2013. As the number of remaining days in 2012 shrinks, it’s time for you to consider your future…

 

Will 2013 be the year you (finally) learn to love kale and embrace the treadmill? Is this the year you start– and finish– all of those DIY projects? A year from now, as you reflect upon the past 12 months, will you pat yourself on the back because you did what you finally promised yourself you would do: start your own business and become your own boss?

 

Or, will you let 2013 be a carbon copy of 2012?

 

(The correct answer is no.)

 

If you plan on making 2013 your best year yet (and one of financial independence) owning your own business needs to top your list of new year’s resolutions, and here’s why:

  1. THE FISCAL CLIFF: Despite what you’ve heard or read, the majority of small business owners aren’t so doom and gloom about the fiscal cliff/slope/precipice as you might think. As the backbone of our nation’s capitalist society, small business owners know and live the value of progress and forward movement. They’re unafraid of putting their shoulder to the wheel and know that no matter what happens, they’ll make it work.
  2. FUNDING: Traditional SBA-backed loans remain a touch-and-go source of funding for small businesses. Some find traditional lending to be the best and easiest way to raise capital. For others, banks are unwilling to loan for whatever reason.  As a whole, banks say they’d like to make more loans but it seems that many have upped their standards due to regulatory pressure. Regardless, securing a loan is definitely possible. 
  3. YOU’RE A VETERAN If you’re a military veteran you are in high demand– especially in the franchise industry.  Many franchises are so pro-veteran they’re only recruiting veterans to become franchisees, like J Dog Junk Removal. Often, veterans are offered significantly discounted franchise fees, financial incentives and mentorship opportunities “regular” franchisees don’t receive. As an added bonus, Sprigster’s “Boost a Hero” program is specifically designed to help veterans and their spouses become franchise and small business owners through crowd-funding.
  4. YOU’RE A FORMER CORPORATE EXECUTIVE OR SMALL BUSINESS OWNER: Exiled or retired corporate executives and former small business owners make excellent franchisees. Franchisors are always keen to recruit those with business experience, especially those with an entrepreneurial spirit and previous management training.
  5. PREDICTIONS FOR 2013: Again, despite what you may have heard, the franchise industry is yet again poised for growth unseen by most other industries since 2008. The number of franchise establishments is expected to increase by 1.4 percent in 2013, from 746,828 to 757,055 with the number of jobs increasing 2 percent, reaching 8.262 million, according to a study by the IFA’s Educational Foundation. In addition, the same report also projects the gross domestic product of the franchise sector to increase 4.1 percent in 2013 to $472 billion.

Still not convinced? Consider all of the franchise opportunities available in your area, your preferred industry or investment level at Franchise Buy.com.