Depends – on the opportunity as well as on the goals and aspirations of the person looking. Most of us are primarily driven by one of the following – lifestyle (more time off, community service, etc.), wealth (maximize short and mid term cash flow, returns, etc.) or equity (build ownership and value of the business for future generations or to sell). If you are meeting your goals and aspirations, I don’t think it makes sense to invest your valuable time or money in new opportunities.

If you are not meeting your business goals and aspirations, there are several types of opportunities that might fit:
1. Educational: Keep your business independent but join a community to share best practices, learn from industry leaders and to feel part of something bigger. Check out www.CaseInstituteofRemodeling.com

2. New Business Engine: Add a new arm to your business to improve short/mid term cash flow, effectively add new clients and to enhance the stability of your business. There are a number of options like gutter licenses, sunrooms, etc. Case’s new “Handyman Express” licensed product gives you the tools to add Handyman services under your current business name/brand at a low level of investment.

3. Franchising: Franchising is more akin to getting married than the options outlined above. This approach is good if you are ready, willing and able to make a larger investment of time and money to embrace the systems of the franchise. If you think you’re ready for franchising, plan on spending a good deal of time researching your options. I’d recommend giving franchisors a “test drive” first by experiencing their educational or licensing products.

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