[islandcutie]

Hi!
My name is Ashley Page and I\'m 20 years old. A few years down the road I would love to open a spa. Im currently taking an intensive spa therapy program and would love to channel my energy into helping other people. My question is \"Are there more benefits to owning a franchise than running your own spa?\" Im at quite a loss as to where I should start but I will take buisness courses and that should get me started. If you have any other suggestions that would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for your time,
Ashley

[BizGuy]

Hi there Ashley,

Your question is a common one yet a very valid one!
When you are ready to start your business venture you need to decide on your short term and long term goals.
There are very visable benefits when starting a business with your own research and due diligence. Think of a franchise as a basic blue print that you NEED to follow. From many of the franchise owners that I have talked to over the years, they tell me that it has helped in the beginning but has eventually hindered their own entrepreneurial spirit by limiting their ideas.
So in a nutshell: The benefits of having a blue print for your business may be that you can put some of your creativity on the shelf as it won't be needed but you will have a 'proven' system to follow to try and reach your goals. The benefits of starting your own 'new' idea and venture is that you can go off the beaten path and pursue your ideas without getting 'approval' from a franchise. Obviously, there are also no franchise fees or ongoing royalties with this start up as well. Do some research, talk to others that have started franchises, do a business plan....GOOD LUCK!!

Adam T.