Planning and Financing Your Smallholding

Thinking of starting a business? You may have been suggested to consider franchising. This is a type of business opportunity where you can sell or offer the products or services of an established company under the same set up. A good example of this is the food company McDonalds, whose franchise allows any interested investor to set up his or her own McDonald’s fast food store. Franchising is a way for businesses to expand and increase their consumer reach. And for some investors, this may be a very lucrative business opportunity. Others may find such no luck. Read More

As you can see, there is a wide variety of franchise opportunities, industries, brands, and agreements. And there is a wide variety of people who become franchisees. Some franchisees want independence. Others like the security of being connected to an established corporation that provides training and backup. Still others just like to grow a business without having to come up with the idea for that business. Read More

Face it, there are some times when being big, or at least LOOKING big, can be an advantage when you’re in business. Some of your customers and some of your suppliers think that BIG means more reliability, a better price and higher quality. WE know that’s not necessarily true, but if making your company look bigger brings more customer orders, you may want to consider doing the things that will provide that look.

One of the easiest moves you can make, though the cost can vary greatly, is to incorporate. Mary Jo’s Creations, Inc., has a more “big business” feel than Mary Jo’s Custom Dolls. Please consider the tax implications before you incorporate, though, and make sure that it is right for your business. Read More

Filing for intellectual property (trademarks, copyrights and patents) is only one step in protecting your rights under the law. You must actively look for companies that are using your intellectual property and enforce your rights. No one else will do it for you. The government gives you the right to protect it in court but does not enforce your rights for you.

The problem is that it can be very expensive to protect your rights. That’s rough on small company with limited resources. Are you going to have to enforce your intellectual property? Seasoned Colorado IP attorney, Rick Martin, says, “The question isn’t: Will you have to defend your IP rights? The question is: When will you have to defend your IP rights?” Read More

Quite simply, franchising diminishes risk. Established brands have credibility with consumers. Nationwide chains have brand awareness and visibility that has sometimes taken years to develop. Established business and operating systems help franchisees hit the ground running. And federal, state, and International Franchise Association (IFA) regulations ensure that franchisors are legitimate and honourable. All of these factors give franchisees a head start over an entrepreneur who wants to start his single-unit independent business. Read More