We know that in the current economic environment it can be difficult to secure funding of any kind. Well there is hope on the horizon!

More and more entrepreneurs who were in careers that fell apart during the last recession are taking advantage of their retirement funds to help finance their businesses. They are funding their businesses using their IRA or 401k without penalty. Did you even know you could do that?

You have probably heard these types of questions before.

Can I use IRA money to fund a home-based, non-franchise business without penalty?

Can I parcel out a portion of my 401k?

How can I use my SEP IRA as a cash injection into my small business?

How can I utilize an IRA from which I am currently receiving 72T distributions?

Do I have to move all of my 401k or IRA at once or can I do it over a period of time?

Well to get the answers join this group on LinkedIn…Join Group

In our current market, buying a franchise is an excellent investment that comes with
many benefits. Here are five reasons why it’s a great idea to go the franchise route:

1)  Mix of Independence and Support: One of the best parts about starting a
company is being your own boss. While having independence is the main appeal
for many entrepreneurs, it’s critical to start your business off on the right
foot. Existing organizations are determined to see their partners succeed.
They give their franchise owners the freedom to make decisions, but still provide
assistance in many forms.

2)  Branding / Marketing: Marketing is critical to helping a new company
drives sales, grow and succeed. Franchises get the benefit of branding and
marketing support from their parent organization. Especially with growing
organizations increasing their name recognition on a regional or national
basis, franchises get to “ride the coattails” and reap the rewards.

3)  Cost-savings: The franchise model is built to make the start-up process easier
and more cost-efficient for partners. New owners are provided with a business layout
and the critical information they need to set a strong financial foundation from
the start.

4)   A Model to Drive Sales: Simple math: organizations financially grow if their
franchises financially grow. Franchises are structured to help partners
increase sales. Partners are given numerous incentives and methods to earn a
profit so that everyone succeeds.

If you would like more information about investing in a franchise opportunity,
Fast Fix Jewelry and Watch Repairs may be a good option for you.
The Fast Fix brand is rapidly growing throughout the nation and its unique
business model provides support for either existing business owners
or professionals launching their quest for financial freedom.

In today’s “I want it now” society, a much needed and valued service has stood the test of time. FAST-FIX JEWELRY AND WATCH REPAIRS® offers jewelry and watch repairs while customers shop, or watch professional jewelers restore their cherished keepsakes. This provides peace of mind when they see first hand the quality that goes into every repair.

Ring sizings, mountings, watch batteries, eyeglass repair and engravable gifts are but a few of the services and products offered. New services such as smartphone repair, laserwelding
and more serve to add to the wide variety of services needed by virtually everyone. Customers walk away happy, having their valuable and sentimental pieces restored to perfect condition — and not having to return weeks later to pick them up!

The success and popularity of FAST-FIX as a franchise and business opportunity is attributed to a proven sales-generating atmosphere. Jewelry and watch repair, by nature, is a high-margin business, yielding billions of dollars per year.

FAST-FIX grossed nearly $63 million in 2010, with annual store revenues ranging from $250,000 to $1,000,000, and gross margins ranging from 70 to 80%. By conducting business in regional malls where several jewelry stores operate, FAST-FIX stores and kiosks receive maximum exposure to customers who buy jewelry and watches that will eventually need repairs. In good economies there is more jewelry and watches bought that need our services; in a down economy people choose to repair what they own rather than buy new. Ninety percent of FAST-FIX repairs are done while customers shop at the mall.

The convenience of offering same day turnaround and locations in major regional malls, provides FAST-FIX stores with word-of-mouth referrals, repeat customers and work from other jewelers. The popularity of FAST-FIX as a franchise opportunity also stems from the firm’s turnkey approach to new franchisees. FAST-FIX provides everything the new owner needs to get started. They secure the site in a regional mall, negotiate the lease, help obtain financing, construct the site, provide initial inventory and equipment, and offer training and support.
A new store or kiosk can be operational in as little as 90 days after signing a franchise agreement.

FAST-FIX is also gaining the attention of individuals outside the jewelry business who are looking for lucrative business opportunities. “You don’t need to be a bench jeweler or have a background in the industry to be a successful franchisee,” says FAST-FIX CEO Marvin Biltis. “Our philosophy is to provide our franchisees with the means and training they need to be successful.”

According to Biltis, there has never been a better time to join the FAST-FIX family, as the concept’s strong brand recognition, extremely high margins and notable return on investment for franchisees are key factors that set FAST-FIX apart from its competition.

The numbers tell the story: multi-unit franchising is, without question, the
biggest growth trend in today’s franchise industry. According to the franchise services
firm FRANdata, approximately 50 percent of franchise businesses are currently under
ownership by multi-unit franchisees.

Many of today’s franchise entrepreneurs are jumping on the opportunity to
invest in multi-development ownership agreements, as these are proving to be
highly successful for both the franchisor and franchisee. Within the last five
years, revenue statistics are proving that multi-unit owners tend to maximize
their profits at a higher rate than single-unit owners.

According to a 2007 report from the Small Business Administration (SBA),
multiple-business owners have become “the most prosperous small business group.”
The report goes on to say that around three-fourths of these multi-business
owners are in a high income bracket and half of them can be classified in a high
wealth bracket.

According to Eric Stites, president of the publication Franchise Business Review,
one reason for this increase in profitability is due to the fact that multi-unit franchise
owners are typically more experienced investors with strong business backgrounds,
which parlays into more savvy when it comes to maximizing profits.

To continue reading this great article please click below:

What You Need To Know About Multi Unit Franchising

* Are you self- motivated, and do you look at the world as being full of opportunity?
* Are you organized?
* Can you operate with intent?
* Are you proficient at the key business disciplines: vision, management, finance, accounting, marketing, sales, information management, and customer services? If not, can you develop a team to complement your talents?
* Can you admit to what you do not know?
* Are you willing to grow in the areas required and put your business before yourself?
* Do you believe there is a relationship between risk and reward?
* If you’re interested in running a franchise, can you set aside old habits and beliefs to follow a system developed by someone else?

a. the type of experience required in the franchised business

b. a complete understanding of the business

c. the hours and personal commitment necessary to run the business

d. who the franchisor is, what its track record has been, and the business experience of its officers and directors

e. how other franchisees in the same system are doing

f. how much it’s going to cost to get into the franchise

g. how much you’re going to pay for the continuing right to operate the business

h. if there are any products or services you must buy from the franchisor and how and by whom they are supplied

i. the terms and conditions under which the franchise relationship can be terminated or renewed, and how many franchisees have left the system during the past few years

j. the financial condition of the franchisor and its system

A great source of information regarding franchising can be found on the International Franchise Association website.

For more information on the show please click on the link below:

http://www.icsc.org/

The show will be located at the Javits Center and it will be a great opportunity to join thousands of entrepreneurs and business owners.

If you would like to attend the show please email us at franchise@fastfix.com for a GUEST pass.

For more information on the show please click the link below.

International Franchise Expo 2012 in New York City