Feature Article: Franchising Pros and Cons: Is Franchising Right for You?
Special Feature: College Offers Fertile Ground for Starting a Business
Bonus Feature: Making Lemonade: Starting a Business After Ending a Career
Quintessential Site: Featured Career Web Site of this Issue
The Career Doctor: Answering Your Questions
What's New on Quintessential Careers: Latest Additions
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Tips to Guide Your Job Search
Notes from the Editor: About this Issue...
This issue addresses entrepreneurial opportunities for all ages -- for the
baby-boomer crowd in a terrific article by regular contributor Liz Sumner, for the
college entrepreneur, and for just about anyone interested in entrepreneurship
in an article on the pros and cons of franchising by publisher Dr. Randall
Hansen.
If you're not ready to start your own biz, you can job-hunt on our job portal.
--Katharine Hansen, Master Resume Writer, Credentialed Career Master, Certified Electronic Career Coach,
and editor at
kathy@quintcareers.com
Feature Article: Franchising Pros and Cons
Franchising Pros and Cons: Is Franchising Right for You?
by Randall S. Hansen, Ph.D.
If you have any kind of entrepreneurial streak
in you, the allure of owning a franchise can be
great. Just about any kind of product or service
that interests you probably has one of more
franchising operations, from fast food
(Burger King), to fitness centers (Curves)
to hotels (Holiday Inn), to repair shops
(Meineke Car Care Center), to hair salons
(Supercuts), to housekeeping services
(Merry Maids), to security services (ADT),
to recreation/sports (Play It Again
Sports), to elder care (Comfort Keepers), to tanning
(Sun Tanning Salon). Fast food, though, remains
the top franchising opportunity. According to
the International Franchise Association,
the estimated number of franchised locations
in the U.S. is almost 400,000 in 75 industries,
employing almost 10 million workers. More than
2,500 companies offer franchising opportunities.
But should you start your own business or buy a franchise of an already successful business?
College Offers Fertile Ground for Starting a Business
by Katharine Hansen
Think you're busy with classes, sports, extracurricular activities, partying? How about
adding a business startup to the mix?
The stories of three entrepreneurs who started their businesses while attending the same
college illustrate not only that colleges campuses provide great launching pads for
entrepreneurial pursuits, but also the variety of paths that young entrepreneurs
can take.
Making Lemonade: Starting a Business After Ending a Career
by Liz Sumner, M.A. CPC
What do you do when the money tree starts sprouting lemons?
It's increasingly common these days to find middle-aged, mid-level managers suddenly faced
with huge shifts of circumstance. Down-sizing, bubble-bursting, plant-closing, and consolidating
are just some of the forces creating a class of sudden solo-preneurs.
At 50-something, you face particularly difficult job-hunting challenges. Your salary range is
high. Your network is decent after so many years, but jobs at your level are few. You've been there,
done that, and thought you were finished with all that new trick-learning.
A big upset like job loss can provide a shift of perspective -- an opportunity to take stock.
What is really important? What do you want to pursue at this point in your life? Is working for
yourself the way to go?
Regular contributor Liz Sumner spoke with several silverbacks to share their wisdom
gleaned from these life changes with a new member of the pack.
See what she found out
in our full article.
Founded by Terri Lonier, this site is full of fantastic resources for the
home-based telecommuter, consultant, freelancer,
or business owner. Find resources, information tips,
links, and more. Includes no-cost self-employment
news e-mail newsletter.
Features also include:
FAQ on Starting a Solo Business
Working Solo Resources
Solo Business Success Tools, including articles and a list of helpful books.
The Working Solo Business Gym (fee-based), part think tank,
part coffeehouse -- "and filled with smart people and cutting-edge ideas," according to the site.
The Gym convenes Thursday or Friday from noon-1 pm ET by telephone. Gym guests
include well-known names in the entrepreneurial world.
Katharine Hansen of Quintessential Careers has completed a rigorous credentialing process
to become a Master Resume Writer, as approved by Career Masters Institute (CMI).
The Master Resume Writer designation places Hansen in an "elite group of career practitioners
who are committed to professionalism and dedicated to continuous learning," said Beverly Harvey of
Beverly Harvey Resume & Career Services, Pierson, FL, who is credentialing master for Career Masters
Institute. Harvey noted that Hansen is only the 12th Master Resume Writer worldwide and one of
only six career professionals to hold both CMI's Credentialed Career Master and Master Resume Writer
designations. "Kudos to you for such a huge accomplishment in your first five years in
business," Harvey said.
In addition to her role as creative director for Quintessential Careers and editor of QuintZine,
Hansen is principal resume and cover-letter writer for Quintessential Resumes and Cover Letters, which prepares
career-marketing documents for clients worldwide.
Clare writes: "I've always kind of had an entrepreneurial spirit and am really tired of working for someone else
with so little say on what goes on. Rather than starting my own business, I have kind of been thinking about
buying a franchise. What's your thought on staying where I am, starting my own business, or buying
into a franchise?"
Glenis writes: "I read your column regularly but recently it has become of more interest to me because
my son is job-hunting. He has been a financial-aid counselor at two universities, having moved to take
the position at the last one because it was a career advancement. Unfortunately his position was eliminated
due to budget cuts.
After being unemployed for a six months he decided to take whatever employment he could get just to help pay
the bills, which happened to be at minimal pay. He has not included this employment history on his
resume because he feels it would not look good. He has interviewed with 2-3 universities but so far no offer of employment.
Do you think the lack of employment information for the last year is affecting his chances of being hired?"
Julie writes: "My friend and I are 15 and interested in starting a pet-sitting business. We would like to know
how old we have to be to do this job, and how we should get started."
Get the latest career, college, and job-search news you need!
Have you read the Quint Careers Weblog (Blog)?
It consists of career and job-search news, trends,
and scoops for job-seekers, compiled by the staff
of Quintessential Careers.
The blog is a great way to stay posted on the most
recent events occurring in the career and employment fields.
AmericasJobFairs.com --
a comprehensive job and career fair web site, where job-seekers can search for job events by
state, date, and job categories. Also includes information for job fair preparation.
No cost to job-seekers.
Jobboom --
a really cool Canadian job and career site, where job-seekers can search for
job listings (by expertise, title, location, and more), post your resume, and
receive email job-match alerts -- as well as find a career resources index and more.
No cost to job-seekers.
JobSearchNews.com --
a gateway to current job search and career news informational sources from around the Web. Includes links
to career news feeds, job-hunting newsletters, career advice columns, and job-search blogs.
It's a job-seeker's one-stop source for career and job resources. No cost to job-seekers.
Professional's Studio --
a great site for young professionals, where the mission is to transform entry-level
workers -- university graduates and junior professionals -- into world-class professionals through news, seminars,
events, and mentoring programs, providing the support and resources you need to excel..
Find even more career and job site additions to Quintessential Careers by visiting our
Latest Additions section.
Q TIPS: Quick and Quintessential Career & Job Tips
While mentoring is common in large corporations, many entrepreneurs don't
have a source of advice. Successful small business owners are often ones who
have learned from those who have experience in their industry or who have
previously dealt with similar business issues.
SCORE, "Counselors to America's Small Business," offers several steps for choosing a mentor who will
best fit your business goals and give you helpful answers to your business questions. For example,
what do you do if a competitor opens up across the street? How do you deal with an unreliable
employee? And, how can you take advantage of a promising, new business opportunity?
Think About Why You Seek Advice. Establish the goals you expect to achieve
by talking to a mentor. Pick the top 3-5 challenges or opportunities that your business
faces and prioritize them in order.
Make Time to Meet with a Business Mentor. To get help, though, you will need to
commit some of your time and energy to meeting with your mentor.
Find the Right Mentor for You. Look for someone who has accomplished
goals that might be similar to your own. Your mentor should be someone
who can provide the time and energy to help you achieve your
objectives.
Build Your Success Team. Be sure to seek guidance from
multiple sources.
Ask SCORE for Help. Get real-world advice and know-how
from SCORE's expert business counselors. Confidential advice at no cost
is available face-to-face at SCORE chapters nationwide,
through online counseling,
or by calling 1-800/634-0245.
Nick Corcodilos of Ask The Headhunter
was recently asked how to handle in job interviews the fact that one has
a small business on the side. How can the candidate/entrepreneur
make the most of the situation? Corcodilos advised the job-seeker to
say something like this:
"I get the sense you're concerned that I have a business on the side.
The only way it affects my current job is positively -- what I've learned on
my own has been a benefit to my employer. In the job we're discussing, I believe
the skills I've acquired would apply in these ways. [Be ready to list them.] If
you're still worried about it, I encourage you to discuss it with me. If I can't show
you how I can handle both this job and a part-time, non-competing business, then
you shouldn't hire me."
Blogs are hot. Here's a quick list of some blogs for entrepreneurs:
flyte blog: "What Works Online", focusing on
what small businesses and entrepreneurs need to know about building a more
effective Web site, Internet, and email marketing, search-engine optimization
If your school, organization, business or other
entity has a Web site, we welcome you to link to Quintessential Careers.
If you already have a link from your site, we want you to know we
appreciate it. If you don't have a link to us, please
send a request to your site's Webmaster to establish a
link to Quintessential Careers. Thanks so much!
For more details (including sample HTML copy), see our
Link to Us page.
QuintZine: Topics in Upcoming Issues
WATCH FOR feature articles on these topics in upcoming
issues of QuintZine:
* Job Burnout Quiz
* Job Burnout Remedies
* The Value of Internships Abroad and Study Abroad
* Top 10 Fears of Job-seekers
* For Job-hunting Success, Develop a Detailed Job-Search Plan
* How to Build a Personal Advisory Board
* Keep Your Career Dreams Alive
* MBA Career Portfolios
* Trends/Tips in Career Portfolios
* Pre-Hire Background/Credit Checks
* Noncompete Clauses
* Get a Job in Sales/Pharmaceutical Sales
* Critical Elements of the Job Search
* Managing Job Stress
* Telecommuting Ranks High
* Sticky Job Interview Situations
* Situational Interviews
* 10 Resume Tips
* Why Hire a Resume Writer?
* Is Your Resume Lost in the Internet Void?
* Career Activist Quiz
* Practice Career Management to Avoid Career Crisis
* The Changing Landscape of College Admissions
* Offbeat Ways to Pay for College
* Financial Aid/Scholarship Timetable
* Build Confidence and Avoid Insecurity in Job Interviews
* Empty Nest Job-seekers
* Baby Boomers Beware
* Are You Sabotaging Your Job-Search/Career?
* Quiz: Marketing Yourself
* Marketing Yourself with internal/External Promotions
* Lifelong Networking
* Networking for the Shy
* Converting a Seasonal Job to a Permanent Position
* Working Night Shifts/Odd Hours
* Quintessential Career Profiles of YOU, our readers
* Q&As with well-known career experts
* Career, College, and Job-Search Book reviews
. . . and much, much more!
Don't ever want to miss another issue of QuintZine? Get a free subscription to
the email version of QuintZine by completing our
subscription form.
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