Generally, when writing an article spotlighting franchise business opportunity, the target demographic is the group of young-to-middle-aged upstarts who have some money, and perhaps not a whole lot of experience, but the drive to start something new in the business world. These are people just working to make their impact on the market and grab a piece of the metaphoric pie for themselves. Not everyone scouring this website for franchise possibilities realistically falls into that category though; some are far beyond the just-starting-out position in life and have actually already finished their time in the business realm, perhaps even already having grabbed their slice of pie. And instead of reaching for the next slice, they've reached an age at which they're comfortable trading in the pie for an engraved watch and a farewell party.

If my pathetic word pictures are falling short-and I wouldn't doubt that they are-the demographic we're talking about is the retired, and the thing that, so I've heard, really troubles folks at that stage of life is the lack of things to do, the seeming loss of purpose. Though no job should be the summation of a person's purpose, it's very true that boredom is a formidable foe, and idle hands are indeed the devil's playground. So for those who have departed from the workforce and are just itching for something to occupy some time, here are a few franchising options.

Managerial opportunities
Aside from the benefits of having something to keep yourself busy with when technically released from the workforce, it can sometimes also help to be making just that little bit of supplemental income on top of your retirement plan's payout and social security-when you're retired, you're supposed to be living it up. One way to do that is to start a franchise business in which you serve strictly as the supervision of the company, not the manpower, because, after all, it's your hands that may have lost some strength, not your mind.

There are a number of great choices if you're interested in running a business in which someone else does the physical work. Premier Garage is one such opportunity. If you're a handy guy who has a workshop of your own, what could be better than helping other guys create their own perfect shop environment? As a franchisee, you would be responsible for overseeing a small-or really, however big you want-collection of employees who sell and install coatings, cabinets, and organizers to help make a man's shop look good, stay tidy, and streamline productivity.

Another option would be a small operation with The Perfect Light, a franchise company that specializes in decorative lighting-basically Christmas lights. Both commercial and residential clients are available to you, and depending on your level of commitment, the business could be run year round, or simply for the Christmas season for a little extra cash-flow to cover those presents for the grandkids.

Hands-on opportunities
Though not having to do the actual labor is a good thing for those whose joints have started to need a little lubing in recent years, some retirees are built like oxen and would come completely unhinged if there wasn't something tangible to do with their hands. Whether that be building cars or knitting socks, they just need to be crafting something. Fortunately, there are home-based businesses perfect for them too.

Two that sit atop the list are Carpet Sculpture Gallery and Furniture Medic franchises. The first Carpet Sculpture Gallery sounds a little odd, but is really a nifty concept. With tools and training provided by the franchisor, small business owners are equipped to design and make custom carpet patterns or pictures for personal and corporate customers. Furniture Medic, on the other hand, is for the woodworker at heart. Driving around in a work van, you show up at client's homes to repair and renew furnishings with the same care and diligence you would your own belongings. In both of these cases, you are both owner and laborer, allowing you opportunity to keep yourself busy with projects while also making money doing so.

Helping others succeed
When you've finished up your own time in the working world, sometimes it's rewarding to reapply your efforts into helping other, younger, less experienced folks succeed in their endeavors the way you have in yours. Some work from home franchises offer that while giving a paycheck to boot.

Homes & Land is one such home-based business. If your history has been in real estate-or even if it hasn't-a franchise with this company enables you to help real estate businesses advertise their homes for sale in one of the most reputable and used publications in the field. Be the one to indirectly match up sellers with buyers and make everyone's dreams a reality.

Another chance to help someone else out is with an ActionCOACH franchise. So many people are in business these days, that a new business has developed to support them: business coaching. If you've had your fair share of success in the business world, take that knowledge and make it available for others following in your footsteps.

Being retired doesn't mean that you have to give up working entirely; it only means that you get to work on what you want when you want because you're no longer at the mercy of the corporate machine. Along with giving retirees something to do in their over-abundant spare time-keeping them sane-these franchises are perfect because they have no outside time-restrictions; the amount of work is determined entirely by the franchisee, allowing a person to do whatever else they want with their golden years whenever they want. A work at home franchise is an enriching and freeing use of those retirement years any way you cut it.

May 28, 2008