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Yes, There Is Life After Corporate Downsizing

July 29, 2015

life-after-corporate-downsizinglCorporate executives create new lives for themselves with franchise ownership after layoffs and business closures.

It’s not a pleasant position to be in, especially for a six-figure-generating corporate executive – unexpected layoffs and downsizing. According to ExecuNet (a networking group for outplaced Executives in the $100K+ salary bracket), corporate executives can expect to be in the same job for only 2.7 years, and with the same company for only 3.3 years.

That means mid-level and executive-level managers are looking for new jobs every couple of years. It’s an employment cycle that puts a lot of stress on finances and family.

But many former corporate executives are now choosing another option after facing numerous corporate layoffs and reorganizations: business ownership.  (more…)

25-Year Serviceman Grows Business and Community, While Serving Fellow Veterans

July 27, 2015
Louisiana SBDC Success StorySuccess Story: Louisiana

“If you’re looking for real business growth, I encourage you to attend the LSBDC seminars and bring a pen, paper and an open mind.” – Troy Downs, Owner of Downs Enterprise

Impact of working with the Louisiana SBDC: Downs Enterprise offers consulting, logistics and other business services. It has assisted in starting and managing over 25 successful businesses, created over 50 jobs, and counseled over 100 people through the various products Downs Enterprise has to offer. During the course of all of these achievements, Troy Downs has found a way to extend a helping hand to veterans in the community. And because of his business and community impact and success, the LSBDC nominated Downs Enterprise for the 2015 Veterans Business Outreach Centers Excellence in Service Award, which was presented by the U.S. Small Business Administration at an awards reception held at the Louisiana Governor’s Mansion in May.

Read the whole story, and learn more about Downs Enterprise and the Louisiana SBDC.

FranNet Consultants Offer Guidance On Franchise Ownership Options

July 24, 2015

Franchise-OptionsFor some, the idea of getting off the corporate treadmill and becoming their own boss is the attraction. For others, retirement allows them to fulfill a life’s dream. And recently, unemployment may have brought the alternative of business ownership into sharp focus for many.

FranNet brings together franchisors and individuals who are interested in exploring self-employment as a career option. FranNet consultants provide both information and guidance at no charge to prospective franchise owners to help them assess their aptitude for business ownership and to identify the best franchise options for their background and interests.

To make it easier to connect with a local FranNet consultant, the “Find a Consultant” feature on FranNet’s website prompts users to enter their zip code. The website displays a complete profile of the local FranNet consultant, including contact and background information.  (more…)

Small Business Payments Toolkit – Top 5 Takeaways

July 17, 2015
By Mary Hughes

Small Business Payments ToolkitThe Remittance Coalition has released the first volume of the Small Business Payments Toolkit, which is intended to encourage the adoption of electronic business-to-business payments and remittance information exchanges by small businesses.  Many small businesses continue to over-rely on paper checks, which are labor-intensive, expensive and prone to fraud.  The Remittance Coalition is a group of payments industry stakeholders (including Federal Reserve Banks) that works to increase the efficiency of business-to-business (B2B) payments made and reconciled by US businesses.  The toolkit provides a host of useful information that can be leveraged by small businesses, SBDC consultants and trainers, financial institutions, vendors, and anyone interested in learning more about payments.

Here are the top five takeaways from the Small Business Payments Toolkit:

1. Adopting B2B electronic payments and remittance information exchanges may make life easier for small business owners

Although it may not currently be a top priority, small businesses that choose to enhance the efficiency of their payments processes can yield benefits in a number of ways:  (more…)