Thinking about taking the plunge and buying a franchise? Before you dive in, make sure you’ve done some soul-searching and research to see if it is the right fit for your goals. Will this be full-time work or a side job? Depending on the franchise, there are opportunities to be a full-time owner/operator or to manage from afar. Decide which you’d rather be, and follow leads for what you’ve chosen. However, note that most franchise opportunities are in the full-time category. How do I feel about this company? Would you feel proud to say you are the franchise owner of this company, whichever company you decide? Perhaps taking on a franchise is a big career move compared to what you’ve done previously. So much of our self-esteem is rooted in the work we do, so it's worth considering whether the brand values are in tune with your moral code when you explore the variety of options available. What are my strengths? Think about your reasons for wanting to own a franchise. Are you a people person? Do you enjoy managing people and customer service? Are you an excellent administrator? Whatever skills you have, there is room to develop them or to learn new ones. Franchisors have training programs and support to help with the transition to franchise ownership, so while in the research phase, ask about these types of programs and what may be available. What kind of financial investment can you make? There is a wide range of opportunities available from as little as a