So, I opened this month’s issue of Entrepreneur Start Ups today and was shocked to read about all the “new” educational franchises. Actually, shocked is not the right word – I was actually glad! I was smiling to myself as I looked at the financial requirements necessary to own a franchise. Of the fourteen companies listed, the average start up cost is $102K. The lowest is $27.5K. The big name companies, i.e. learning centers are very expensive – after all you need to have a space out of which to run your business. The in-home models (including the one I used to own) are a lot of money. Having been a franchise owner, I can’t help but scratch my head wondering what the thousands of dollars are getting people. Brand name? Not really – most parents (and that is your target market) have never heard of the in-home tutoring services’ names. Quick, try to name one – other than Huntington, Sylvan and Kumon and I bet you will be hard pressed to come up with a branded name.
Then, I looked at the number of businesses sold – the most for in-home tutoring centers is 433, the least is zero – have to wonder why two companies are even listed with zero sold – maybe their way of exposing themselves to all of those franchise-happy people. The average number of franchises sold in this list is 131. I don’t feel too bad knowing I have sold 122 HTB business models and my start up cost is just under $3000. Do the math. I don’t have much overhead, I don’t advertise in Entrepreneur magazine and I don’t have to pay multiple attorneys a ton of money every year.
I love what I do and so do the people who have bought an HTB from me. We are smiling all the way to the bank.

This is an article I submitted to CareerBuilder.com last spring. Given the amount of inquiries I have received this month, I thought it was work reprinting here:

Everyone gets stuck in a rut professionally at one time or another. Sometimes it’s just a temporary state of mind and it passes quickly. Soon you are back on track after a weekend off or a holiday break. But what happens when that feeling inside of you that you are definitely ready for a change does not pass? Many times this unease manifests itself emotionally as well as physically. You are tired more often, even though you didn’t do much at work all day. You get up in the morning dreading going to work and once you get there, you just can’t concentrate and become a clock-watcher.

Fantasizing about a new career on a regular basis and perhaps taking action by going on an interview or requesting information about a home business opportunity are usually good ways to gauge if this is a phase or something you should pursue.

Ten Signs You Need A Career Change:

1) You no longer feel excited about going to work.
2) You find yourself daydreaming during meetings.
3) You leave a bit early or sneak in a bit late.
4) You aren’t as thorough as you once were when it comes to completing projects or meeting deadlines.
5) You aren’t feeling challenged anymore – your workday is just a routine.
6) You call in sick more often.
7) You haven’t come up with a new idea or procedure in months.
You go through the motions at work and put in minimum effort..
9) You surf the internet looking at other opportunities when you should be working.
10) You make more personal calls on company time just to make the day go faster.

How did you score?