Dreaming of your own business? How about buying in?

Apparently, Ohioans are big on entrepreneurism--and a lot of them do it by purchasing a franchise. But, if you've ever evaluated one yourself, it can be very hard to find out all the information you want to feel you can make a wise decision.

An entrepreneurial company in Beachwood, Franchise Selection Specialists, specializes--as you might suspect--in helping people pick franchises. Neat idea. And now they've created a website/portal for people searching for information about franchising.

Another neat idea. I know that many people who, once they get started in franchising, regret after a while all the money they have to pay the franchiser. But if you don't have the background to get going in your own business, just remember: there are some franchise agreements that one day let you break free (I knew a guy who had a printer franchise--when he "finished" his term with the franchiser, he had to change his name of course). But think hard about also losing all the support a franchiser provides. You have to start paying yourself for all that preprinted marketing stuff you used to get from them--and that they got dirt cheap because they print it for ALL their franchisees.

Lots of things to think about. Check out the website here.