To many of you, the ring of that headline is horrifying. You may not be interested in a franchise business. More likely, the thought of touching your retirement is too risky a proposition. Also, if you’re late in your career with shrinking employment options, financing a business using this method may present an unacceptable risk. Only you, the entrepreneur, can know that.

Several times over the past few years I have participated in entrepreneur panels for Right Management Consultants, a ManpowerGroup company. Right Management often assists mid- and late-career executives after they have been downsized or ‘outplaced.’

You would think outplacement is depressing, but the groups I’ve participated with spend time exploring the executive’s marketable skills and best career paths. Quite often these seasoned people have built up a nest egg and possess many of the attributes of a great entrepreneur—short of being willing to take the leap. Once you’re outplaced, that perceived risk is already out the window. Many professionals have nothing to lose and more to gain by considering going into business for themselves.

Before You Consider Funding Options, Are You the Franchise Type?

For many who have operated in a corporate culture, the idea of starting a business from scratch is daunting. Franchise businesses present an option where a model already exists and there is a presumed quicker path to cash flow through the support of the franchise network.

In 2015, franchise businesses contributed 8.9 million jobs, or 20% of the job creation in America, according to the US Department of Labor and the International Franchise Association. That makes franchise businesses second only to the US government in terms of job creation.

According to Leslie Kuban, owner of FranNet of Atlanta, some franchisors provide loan support to assist an owner in getting started, but most are not in the business of being the bank. Kuban, a long-time successful franchisor and franchisee had an interesting take on the risks for those entering the franchise space and the ways in which owners fund their businesses.