MANCHESTER, MD…

Traditional career paths have become more of an obstacle course. Thecorporate ladder has many broken rungs. In the Gulf Coast region, ActionCOACHis seeing many new faces turning to franchising as an alternative venture andadventure.

“You’d think the worst economic times since the Great Depression woulddiscourage budding entrepreneurs from going into business on their own,” saidKaren Boyd, Global Master Licensee for ActionCOACH’s Gulf Atlantic region. “Yetwith corporate layoffs, record unemployment rates, shrinking nest eggs and anumber of other variables, many entrepreneurs are seeking franchises as a safertrack to owning their own business—and that’s attracting franchise owners froma variety of backgrounds.

As the number one business coaching firm in the world, ActionCOACH has aslogan: Recession? What Recession, I have an ActionCOACH. The slogan serves notto deny the current tough economic times but to acknowledge the tremendousopportunities available in the current market—particularly if you’re looking toown your own business.

Some of the areas attracting new franchise owners include:

Corporate casualties and refugees Seniors and Retirees Working mothersVeterans Recent college graduates

Dan Zimanski, an ActionCOACH business coach based in Mandeville, Louisianaloved his job with Oreck until his world was literally turned upside down withHurricane Katrina. “Oreck’s two main bases of operation were New Orleans andLong Beach, Mississippi—two places hit hardest by Katrina,” said Zimanski.

The company made a heroic effort to get back on the ground and even enjoyedits best year in 2006. The potential for another Katrina, however, played adeciding factor in the company moving its headquarters to Tennessee. Newlymarried with three stepchildren, Zimanski left the company he loved ratherrelocating.

“I’ve moved around quite a bit during my career and ActionCOACH provided the opportunity to do something that I enjoy—coach small businessowners—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 alifestyle option.

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

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

ActionCOACH is the world’s #1 businesscoaching firm and executive coaching firm. Operating

in 26 countries, the franchise has more than 1,000 offices around the world.That includes locations in the six states (and Washington DC) that make up theGulf Atlantic region: Alabama (Pelham); Delaware; Florida (Coral Gables, FortMyers, Jacksonville, Miami, North Miami, Palm Harbor, Pensacola Beach andTallahassee); Louisiana (Baton Route, Loranger, Mandeville, New Orleans andShreveport); Maryland (Baltimore, Freeland, Fallston, Manchester, Rockland,Silver Spring); and Mississippi (Madison).

Founded in 1993, the ActionCOACH has received numerous awards includingFastest Growing Franchise, Franchisee Satisfaction, Best Overall Company andhas been named the number one business coaching franchise for more than fiveyears running.

To learn more about ActionCOACH, contact Karen Boyd, www.karenboyd.actioncoach.comwww.karenboyd.actioncoach.com, (410)374-3536.