MANCHESTER, MD'

Traditional career paths have become more of an obstacle course. The corporate ladder has many broken rungs. In the Gulf Coast region, ActionCOACH is seeing many new faces turning to franchising as an alternative venture and adventure.

'You'd think the worst economic times since the Great Depression would discourage budding entrepreneurs from going into business on their own,' said Karen Boyd, Global Master Licensee for ActionCOACH's Gulf Atlantic region. 'Yet with corporate layoffs, record unemployment rates, shrinking nest eggs and a number of other variables, many entrepreneurs are seeking franchises as a safer track to owning their own business'and that's attracting franchise owners from a variety of backgrounds.

As the number one business coaching firm in the world, ActionCOACH has a slogan: Recession? What Recession, I have an ActionCOACH. The slogan serves not to deny the current tough economic times but to acknowledge the tremendous opportunities available in the current market'particularly if you're looking to own your own business.

Some of the areas attracting new franchise owners include:

  • Corporate casualties and refugees
  • Seniors and Retirees
  • Working mothers
  • Veterans
  • Recent college graduates

Dan Zimanski, an ActionCOACH business coach based in Mandeville, Louisiana loved his job with Oreck until his world was literally turned upside down with Hurricane Katrina. 'Oreck's two main bases of operation were New Orleans and Long Beach, Mississippi'two places hit hardest by Katrina,' said Zimanski.

The company made a heroic effort to get back on the ground and even enjoyed its best year in 2006. The potential for another Katrina, however, played a deciding factor in the company moving its headquarters to Tennessee. Newly married with three stepchildren, Zimanski left the company he loved rather relocating.

'I've moved around quite a bit during my career and ActionCOACH  provided the opportunity to do something that I enjoy'coach small business owners'but to stay in a community that my family and I love and call home, particularly after Katrina,' said Zimanski.

Mark Raciappa, ActionCOACH franchise owner in Tallahassee, Florida, represents another new face of franchising: those who choose franchising as a lifestyle option.

Raciappa literally grew up in the supermarket business. Starting as a bagger as teen, he went on to manage a supermarket and eventually owned and operated his own. Tired of working six or even seven days a week, Raciappa put his market up for sale and began searching for a franchise opportunity. FranChoice, a franchise 'matchmaking' company, directed him to ActionCOACH in 2006 and Raciappa has not looked back.

'Part of my decision to get out of the supermarket business was lifestyle, I wanted to be able to enjoy my weekends and holidays,' said Raciappa. 'The other was doing something to help people. At ActionCOACH, we're in the business of helping people. In the current economy, the real challenge is helping the small business owner see the great opportunities for success that are out there.

ActionCOACH is the