A: Well, this is one of those times when you can have your cake and eat it too. What if I told you that you could in fact start a franchise without quitting your day job? You can, however, it won't be easy.

That is because what I suggest you do is buy into a franchise system that allows you to work from home. In this scenario you would work at night and on weekends while keeping your regular job during the day. As I said, it will be a challenge and you will get tired, but it is also absolutely doable.

Here's how: You start by picking a small, home-based venture that can be done in off hours. Because you want a franchise that will be inexpensive to start, consider a service business (a product-oriented business usually requires buying a lot of inventory and also a place to sell that inventory - a store) For example, you might consider

• A handyman franchise
  
• A tax preparation franchise
  
• A cleaning franchise
  
• A construction franchise
  
• A home inspection franchise
  
• A pet care franchise
  
• A delivery franchise

The idea is to pick an inexpensive service business that can be done at hours other than 9-5. That way, you will retain the security of your day job and its attendant paycheck and benefits while still being able to get the ball rolling with your new part-time venture.

Take for example an associate I know who is a busy mom. She wanted to start a part-time business. An accountant by training, she bought into a tax-preparation service and was able to do tax returns at night after the kids went to bed. When her children got a little older, she was able to run the business full-time.

Whatever business you do decide to undertake, be sure to keep these warnings in mind:

• Make sure the franchise really can be run part-time: Sure it is great to create a business that is busy from the start, but if your franchise is going to be so labor-intensive that it cuts in to your regular hours and job, it may be more of a burden than a benefit.


• Make sure your family is on board: Ideally, the business will become so successful that you will be able to give up your day job, but until that time, you are going to be a busy boy or girl. Everyone needs to understand and agree to that.


• Be professional: Whatever franchise you start from home, you will need to dedicate at least one room to the venture, install a separate phone and fax line, have stationary made, get a business license, and so on. In short, even a part-time home-based business is still a business.


• Be realistic: Any new business takes time to get up, running, and turning a profit. Put in place a realistic plan that accounts for this.

About Steve Strauss

Steven D. Strauss is one of the world's leading experts on entrepreneurship. A lawyer, author, and public speaker, his latest book is The Big Idea: How Business Innovators Get Great Ideas to Market. Steve's columns regularly appear on USA Today.com, Workz.com, Bizland.com, and Staples.com, among others. You can sign up today for his free newsletter, "Small Business Success Secrets!" at his business web site - www.MrAllBiz.com.