A recent article found in Pala Alto Online features the story of three people who made the move out of the corporate world and into business with themselves. But this isn’t the normal “work for yourself” story – these people found their independence through franchising. Read the full article below:

Franchise owners weather turbulent economic times

by Carol Blitzer Palo Alto Weekly Staff While other girls were playing with their Barbies, at 6, Lisa Anter was charging 10 cents a cup at her lemonade stand at a lake near her Montreal, Canada, home. The following year she upped it to 15 cents. It would be another 20 years or so before her entrepreneurial instincts kicked in and she left the corporate world to ... Read more

Several weeks ago, I wrote a blog post about the things I’d do differently if I had it to do all over again. Here is the next installment of what will no doubt be an ongoing series. Redo #3: I wouldn’t get so down about being down. Let’s face it. There will be times when [...] ... Read more

I've got a routine that I've followed for years that completely complements and supplements my once-a-week Weekly Planning Time (which I adopted from the methodology outlined in David Allen's best-seller, "Getting Things Done").  I've named the routine my 10 x 2 Daily Recap, and here's how it plays out.... Andy Robinson, Executive Career Coach Co-host, Career Success Radio Show A leading authority on career success; 15-year executive coaching veteran Contact: Andy@CRGLeaders.com, 239-285-5575 ... Read more

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Today’s blog post continues my series of interviews with people who started companies after a failed job search, only to discover that entrepreneurship offers rewards so compelling they wouldn’t accept a salaried job now even if offered one. This interview is with Alex Andon, founder of Jellyfish Art, LLC. In May of 2008, Mr. Andon [...] ... Read more

It’s official. My daughter Emmeline is now behind the wheel as a student driver. Read on to make the connection between putting a nervous, untrained 15-year-old behind the wheel of a 4,000-lb. car and career success (I promise, it’s eye-opening)! Here’s how Emmeline’s first driving lesson unfolded. I researched driver training schools and uncovered a [...] ... Read more

If you are an entrepreneur starting a company and you will be in a position to set workplace polices for your new organization, or you are an executive in an established organization and you have sufficient influence to shape human resource policies, I encourage you to create an organizational culture characterized by workplace flexibility, meaning that workers can decide when and where they work, to the extent that doing so is possible while still meeting business objectives. The most flexible workplaces focus on employee results rather than time spent in an office. Below are 10 reasons why I’m a strong proponent of workplace flexibility. … Read more

www.careerthoughtleaders.com/conference

About 10 years ago, career coaching emerged as a critical component for success in career planning and development, job search and lifelong career management. Looking back over those years, I am amazed at how the field of coaching has grown in importance and sophistication.

I now understand how vital coaching is to the success of all of my clients – recent college graduates, mid-life career changers, return-to-work moms and dads, executives, mid-career professionals and everyone else. I want to provide each of them with the proper coaching tools, information and resources, because their success depends on the foundation I have laid for them. There will be much to learn during conference sessions on preparing our clients for the rigors of job search and career management in today’s fast-paced, technology-saturated marketplace.

www.careerthoughtleaders.com/conference

I’ve been self-employed for 20 years as a professional resume writer and career coach. Although all entrepreneurs have their “off” days, I have to say that 98% of the time I’m thrilled with my business. But, like many entrepreneurs, I want to make more money. As a primary income producer in my household, I want to learn how to increase my income … NOW! Fortunately, I’m going to get that opportunity when I listen to Ross Macpherson’s presentation and learn how he’s been remarkably successful – professionally and financially. I want to know what Ross knows so that I can return to my office, implement similar strategies and business processes, and start making more money next week!