Becoming a business owner by investing in a franchise operation can give graduates the chance to be build up a self-sufficient business at their own pace. Anna Gepson worked for 20 years in the world of corporate communications and marketing. Looking for a career change, she attended a seminar on franchise ownership and became intrigued by the possibilities. With the help of a business mentor from the Entrepreneur Source, she narrowed the field to two possible franchise businesses, which she then researched thoroughly. The experience opened her eyes to the reality of what it takes to get a franchise off the ground, she said, but it also showed her a "refreshing" and "exciting" alternative to the hectic corporate world. Her pet grooming franchise was recently named 2007 Franchise of the Year by the parent company and Ms Gepson is now looking to hire employees in order to deal with demand. "You work harder than you ever thought, but the benefits are well worth it," she said. According to consultancy Bison.com, some of the most popular franchises businesses in the US include Haagen Dazs ice cream store, Liberty Tax Service and Postal Annex Plus.  |