So, here we are in 2006 and you may still be trying to figure out what to do with the rest of your life. If self-employment has been a long-time dream, you might wonder "How does one get there and minimize risk?" Or if you are tired of the corporate life and want to control your own destiny, you may wonder "Can I break free from the corporate cult?"

The answer to minimizing your risk, controlling your destiny and uncapping your earnings potential could be through a franchise business. Franchising a business format has been around for more than 60 years. And this style of business is more than just a booming trend. According to the International Franchise Association, franchised sales account for almost 10% of private sector output and 1 in 7 jobs in the US. These businesses are so hot that top business schools, such as Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, are adding franchise classes to their elective curriculums and those classes have waiting lists.

A common potential issue business owners face, especially those with already lucrative careers, is how will you continue to take care of your obligations while you build your dream? Recent research suggests that you can turn dreams into reality through planning for your business, researching industries, building your business in stages and focusing on the many benefits of self-employment. Many day-job converts soon realize that you can either work hard for someone else or you can work hard for yourself.

I often hear