Everything you want to know about franchising

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SELF-EMPLOYED WITH YOUR OWN SERVICE BUSINESS!

There are hundreds of opportunities in the service arena offering

low-cost start-ups and high profit returns. Almost all can be run

from home.

There's still room to grab your share of the multi-billion dollar

service industry. Most of them-- the exception is the private

postal center shop-can be run from home.

1. MONOGRAMMING Everybody loves to see their name, logo or

company team emblazoned on a cap, T-shirt, towel, apron, etc. You

can set up a monogramming business right at your kitchen table.

Promote the business at crafts shows or via flyers, and ads in

local newspapers. For start-up information, contact Meistergram

at 3517 W Wendover Ave.,Greensboro, NC 27407, 919-854-6200, OR

800-321-0486.

2. CARPET CLEANING You can start your own residential and

commercial cleaning service by tying in with a carpet cleaning

giant such as Duraclean International, Inc., or Von Schrader. You

can start on a part-time basis and develop the business into a

full-time enterprise. To find out how to get the machines and

equipment, contact two companies that can help set you up with

your own business. Von Schrader, 1600 Junction Ave.,Racine, WI

43403, 414-634-1956, 800-626-6916: Duraclean International,

Inc.,2151 Waukegan Rd.,Deerfield, IL 60015, 312-945-2000,

800-251-7070.

3. BUTTON MAKING. You can start your own button making operation

for $29.95. The folks at Badge-A-Mint will get you started with

an easy to use hand press, designs, pinned backs and

instructions. Buttons can be assembled in less than a minute.

Contact Badge-A-Mint, 348 North 30th Rd.,Box 800, Lasalle, IL

61301, 800-223-4103.

4. BLIND CLEANING. The Morantz family are the innovators in blind

cleaning machines. Their slogan "Dirty blinds can put you in

business," and plenty of entrepreneurs are making a mint cleaning

blinds with a nifty, portable blind cleaning machine from

Morantz. For more information write to S. Morantz Inc.,9984

Gantry Rd.,Philadelphia, PA 19115 or call 215-969-0266, 800-69

LI'L BABY.

5. WINDSHIELD REPAIR. Car owners hate those bubbles and cracks in

their windshields caused by stones or other debris bouncing from

the pavement. There are a few companies who teach you how to set

up your own windshield repair biz and supply you with the

materials. Start-up costs vary. Contact: Glass-Weld, 20578 Empire

Blvd.,Bend, OR 97701, 800-321-2597: Ultra B-O-N-D, Inc., 14076

Highway 215, Moreno Valley, CA 92388, 800-347-2820: Optikleer

Glass Repair, NVS Corp, 48 Springvale Ave.,Lynn, MA 01904,

800-695-6224: Glass Mechanix, Inc.,10170 NW 47th St.,Sunrise, FL

33351.

6. CHIMNEY CLEANING. Heating homes with wood burning stoves is a

cheaper alternative to electric or natural gas heat. Because the

creosote (sap) accumulates on the inside of the chimney, they

must be cleaned regularly. (Creosote is responsible for causing

chimney fires.) You can start your own chimney cleaning business

for about $2000. For more information on this business

opportunity, contact August West, 38 Austin St.,Worchester, MA

01601 or call 508-753-5544, 800-225-4016.

7. AUTO DETAILING. Consumers who shell out $30,000 plus for a

Mercedes or a BMW are not about to cut costs when it comes to

keeping their car in cream puff condition. Entrepreneurs show up

at the owner's home or office and completely wash, wax and clean

the interior of the car. The experts at The Curtis System have

researched and produced a line of products that help auto

detailers set up a business. They will also teach one exactly how

to do it. For more information contact The Curtis System, 8818

Mountain Rd.,Box 250, Stowe, VT 05672 or call 800-334-3395.

8. ENGRAVING. It seems like one has to be an artist to start an

engraving business. But Paragrave Corporation can teach just

about anyone to do it. Their system involves a process that is as

easy as tracing. For more information contact Paragrave

Corporation, 1455 West Center St.,Orem, UT 84058 or call

801-825-8300, 800-624-7415.

9. ADVERTISING SPECILATIES. There are thousands and thousands of

potential customers right in your region and through mail order.

Advertising specialties are pens, caps, paperweights,

flashlights, key chains, etc. that feature the name of the

company along with address and phone number on it. The items can

be given out at grand openings, sale days, holiday gifts, or

trade shows. Your business is making them (and making money). For

more information, contact BASCO, 9351 DeSoto Ave., Chatsworth, CA

91311-4948.

10. TEST MACHINES. The incidence of drunk driving is reaching an

all time high. Bars, restaurants and diners are increasingly

working with entrepreneurs who will set up alcohol test machines;

bar patrons can actually check their alcohol levels. For more

information contact Communidyne, 636 Anthony Trail, Northbrook,

IL 60062, or call 708-498-2444, FAX # 708-498-6369.

11. ROOF MAINTENANCE. The Pace Products, Inc. company has

developed a seamless spray process to fix roofs. The service can

offered to residential customers as well as commercial customers.

In fact, some Pace entrepreneurs have regular contracts with

firms such as General Motors, American Airlines and Holiday Inns.

For more information, Pace Products, Inc.,quality Plaza, 11775 W.

112 St.,P.O. Box 10925, Overland Park, KS 66210.

12. MOBILE CAR WASH. Part of the appeal of many service

businesses is bringing the service directly to the customer.

Mobile car washing is a good way to go where the money is. You

can purchase a mobile car wash operation from the Express Wash

Company. For more information contact them at 908 Niagara Falls

Blvd., N. Tonawanda, NY 14120-2060 or call 416-466-4164.

13. GIFT BASKET BUSINESS. Today, more and more people want to

ease and convenience of picking up the phone and ordering a gift.

A gift basket business could be the perfect part-time or

full-time money maker for you. One who knows how to start and run

this business is Carol Starr who runs Starr Gift Baskets in

Houston, Texas. Carol has written a manual on how anyone can

start this business in their area. She also includes information

on how existing shops and businesses can add a gift baskets as an

additional service to their customers. To order the manual, send

a check or money order for $12.95 plus $2.50 for shipping and

handling to Starr Gift Baskets, 8045 Antoine, #147, Houston, TX

77088.

14. HOME INSPECTION. There are dangers lurking in residential

homes-bad water, radon, asbestos, termites, etc. Home buyers who

shell out an average of $150,000 for a home these days don't want

to buy a lemon. Home inspectors charge about $200 to come in and

make a complete check of the home. Many states are requiring that

homes be inspected before the sale is finalized making the

opportunity even brighter for entrepreneurs who start a home

inspection business. You can learn how to get started and run

this business from the franchised operation AmeriSpec or through

National Property Inspections. For more information, write or

call AmeriSpec Home Inspection Service, 1855 W. Katella Ave.,Ste

330, Orange, CA 92667, or call 714-744-8360, 800-426-2270;

National Property Inspections, 236 S. 108th St.,Ste.,3 Omaha, NE

68154, 402-33-9807, 800-333-9807.

15. UPHOLSTERY CLEANING. You can purchase a turnkey operation

from Von Schrader or Foley Belsaw and start your own upholstery

and drapery cleaning business. For information contact Von

Schrader at 1600 Junction Ave.,Racine, WI 53403 or call

414-634-1956, 800-626-6916; Foley Belsaw.

16. COMPUTER PORTRAITS. A photo/computer system enables one to

put any photo on just about any item including mugs, buttons,

calendars, T-shirts and many more items. You can purchase a

package that will set you up in business. Contact the following

companies for information on their packages and supplies: Cygnus

Systems, Inc., 1719 W. Zartman Rd., Kokomo, IN 46902 or call

(collect) 317-453-7077: CASI Creative Amusement Service, Inc.,156

Fifth Ave.,Suite 323, New York, NY 10010.

17. INSTALL SLIPPROOF SURFACES. As our population is getting

older, more Americans are slipping and falling in their homes and

in commercial establishments. Even young folks can fall on wet

surfaces near a swimming pool or shower/tub. You can start a

business installing slipproof surfaces in residential and

commercial buildings. Saf-T-Grip is a product that you install.

For information on how you can become a Saf_T-Grip distributor

contact: RYKO Technology Inc.,39863 Grand River Ave.,Suite 93,

Novi, MI 48375 or call 800-2-Saft-T-Grip (800 272-3457 ext 233).

18. VENT CLEANING. Atypical one day restaurant vent cleaning job

can earn you $250 to $500 based on the rate of $65 per hour. Nice

work because you can do it at night and on weekends. Many states

are now regulating the cleaning of restaurant vents-meaning, they

have to be cleaned on a regular basis. For more information on

how you can start your own vent cleaning business, contact Black

Magic Vent Cleaning, 1821 Mountain Rd., P.O. Box 250, Stowe, VT

05672.

19. TUB & TILE RESTORATION. This is a great business opportunity

to start anytime of year. It's part of the home remodeling boom

and there is plenty of potential accounts no matter where you

live because just about anyone can use a little touch up on their

tub and tile surfaces. This refinishing/reglazing business can be

started by tying in with a leading franchiser such as Perma-Glaze

or you can choose to go the independent route and purchase a

start-up package from Ameribrite. Write to them for more

information so that you can make the choice that is right for

you. Perma-Glaze, 1638, South Research Loop RD., Suite 160,

Tucson, AZ 85710, 800-332-7397 or 602-722-9718; Amerbrite,

170-180 East Hillsboro Blvd.,Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 or call

305-481-2929.

20. PRIVATE POSTAL CENTER. Busy people don't have time to wait in

line at the local post office. The local post office also fails

to offer a lot of services that private postal centers provide

such as:  fax machines, printing of rubber stamps, answering

service, and much more. For information contact the franchise

Mail Boxes, Etc. at 5555 Oberlin Dr.,San Diego, CA 92121,

800-456-0414; or go the independently owned route through PostNet

International, 2225 E Flamingo Rd.,#310, Las Vegas, NV 89119,

702-792-7100, FAX # 702-792-7115.

21. SPECIAL EVENTS PROMOTIONS. Ease of operation and low start-up

costs characterize all the entertainment promotions designed and

packaged by Keith Namanny-the man who brought us the world

renowned Rocky-bots. Keith has a wide range of promotions at that

are portable and fun to play. They can easily set up in bars,

restaurants, corporate events, backyard parties, you name it!

Call Keith Namanny at the World Robotic Boxing Association and

ask him to send you a free brochure on his 6 business

opportunities called the "Six Pack Of Success!". Call

712-774-2577.

22. AUTO PAINT TOUCH-UP. Auto-owners would love to find an

inexpensive way to fix those dents and pings in their fenders and

car doors and those scrapes on the roof or bumper. You can start

a business offering auto paint touch-up that fits the bill. The

Dye Team Color System company has developed an auto paint

touch-up business opportunity package. For more information write

to the company at 9511 Gue Rd.,Damascus, MD 20872 or call

301-253-2134 or 800-346-1977.

23. LANDSCAPING LIGHTING. Home owners who want to make castles of

their environments are hiring companies to come in and set up

special effect lighting around swimming pools, gardens, driveways

and to do their holiday lighting decorations for them. Shop

owners love this type of service, too. The Dekra-Lite company has

designed a number of lighting designs for entrepreneurs. The

small business owner shows a client portfolio of what's available

and then Dekra-Lite ships the kit along with detailed

instructions on how to set it up. No designing on how to set it

up. No designing or electrician’s experience required by any

means! For more information, write or call Dekra-Lite at 17945

Sky Park Circle, Irvine, CA 92714 or call 800-888-8319, FAX #

714-852-9539.

24. VINYL REPAIR. Just about every dinner, movie theater,

restaurant booth, doctor's office and auto or truck could use a

little repair work on their vinyl. That's quite a broad client

base. You can start your own vinyl repair business with help from

VIP, 2021 Montrose, Chicago, IL 60618.

25. CUSTOM PICTURE FRAMING. A wholesaler of picture frame

moldings and materials can supply small business framers with

products and inventory to start and run a high-profit custom

framing service. For more information on their complete equipment

package write or call Tennessee Molding & Frame, Inc.,1188

Antioch Pike, Room 14C, Nashville, TN 37211, 615-832-8159, ext.

7423.

26. PROFESSIONAL BILLING SERVICE. There are plenty of small

businesses out there who could benefit from having a small firm

take control of their billing. You could be that entrepreneur.

The Blue Jay company can show you how to set up and run a

professional billing service. Contact Blue Jay at 2579 Clematis

St.,Sarasota, FL 34239 or call 813-365-3357.

27. DIET & WEIGHT LOSS; About 75% of the American population is

overweight. The emphasis on being fit and slim is everywhere in

this health and beauty conscious 1990's decade. Entrepreneurs can

still cash in on the fitness boom by offering computerized diets.

Small business owners who get into this field don't have to

program a computer to create the diet plans because they can be

tie in with two companies who do all of the computer work,

Entrepreneurs work with their clients and present the

computer-generated daily menus.

There are two companies who offer this service.

The Comp-U- Diet Program has been developed by United American

Marketing, Inc.

Another company offering this service is Diet Guidance

International. DGI provides all of the necessary training and

follow-up support.

For more information on Comp-U- Diet contact United American

Marketing, P.O. Box 249, Milford, MI 48381 or call 800-942-9900.

To reach Diet Guidance International write 2131 Pierce St.,Ste 5,

San Francisco, CA 94115-9973 or call 800-7766-4347

CHOOSE A BIZ THAT'S RIGHT FOR YOU

Owner and founder of Corporate Music is G.E. Maas. Mr. Maas

has some tips on how would-be entrepreneurs should go about

choosing a business opportunity.

Mr. Maas recommends that you start by listing businesses or

hobbies that are of interest to you. After choosing several

opportunities, find out if you really need a franchise or

distributorship to go into that particular business.

Some individuals offer do-it-yourself start-up kits through

magazine advertisements. Often these do-it-yourself start-up kits

through magazine advertisements. Often these do-it-yourself kits

are enough to help individuals start many different types of

businesses.

Some franchisers, such as Complete Music, says Mr. Maas, actually

list the support that is provided, as well as what is necessary

to provide that level of support for yourself with their help.

If you decide not to go it alone, he suggests, contact those

businesses that interest you. Ask to be sent their information

packets AND a list of owners (with phone numbers) that you may

contact on your own.

This is extremely important because the literature that is sent

out does inform, but is promotional in nature, whereas, actual

owners or distributors are actively involved in the business you

are investing.

Once all the information is received, narrow down your choices as

much as possible. Check out those remaining companies as if your

future depended on it, says Mr. Maas, because it does.

Have your attorney and accountant examine the legal and financial

documents respectively. Weigh the pluses and minuses of each

company. Contact as many owners or distributors as possible. Find

out first hand their thoughts on home office support,

profitability, company integrity and the day to day enjoyment of

operating their business.

Ask them any questions that would help you make a good, informed

decision.

"Any company you are considering should encourage you to contact

their owners or distributors," he explained.

Mr. Maas also suggests that after you've made your decision,

sleep on it. Do not allow yourself to be rushed into any decision

by anyone. "a good company will want you to take the time

necessary to make decisions that are right for you."

 

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