| Knowing how to buy businesses headed for | | | | to get absorbed into the work force. And |
| success includes an understanding of which | | | | middle-class people with limited financial resources |
| industries have a bright future in this fast changing | | | | -- much of the population -- won't be back to |
| economic and social environment. | | | | their overspending habits any time soon. |
| There are certain companies we know have a | | | | In the meantime, expect growth for companies |
| limited future: a vendor with candy bar dispensers | | | | catering to the budget conscious, and a desirable |
| in school lunchrooms, a photo house specializing in | | | | category for many business buyers. |
| film processing, or a street map publisher. | | | | 5. Work-at-home opportunities -- Searching for a |
| But other trends deserve attention. Consider | | | | worthy investment among Internet-based |
| these ideas when evaluating the many kinds of | | | | enterprises and other businesses you can operate |
| businesses that are offered for sale. | | | | from your kitchen table is like crossing a minefield |
| 1. Green companies -- Ignore politically motivated | | | | to get to an oasis. |
| cynics who claim our economy will remain fully | | | | Yes, work-at-home opportunities are very |
| dependent on petroleum, and on habits of the | | | | appealing, but many offerings in this category are |
| "throw-away" consumer for the foreseeable | | | | not worth anywhere near their asking prices. |
| future. A recycling company, a firm that installs | | | | Sellers often promote companies that have yet |
| solar panels or one that converts auto engines to | | | | to earn a dollar although based on what seem like |
| run on used cooking oil are businesses that ought | | | | good business plans. |
| to have a profitable present and future. | | | | When looking to buy businesses that can be run |
| 2. Serving seniors -- The population bubble of | | | | from home, seek those with a documented |
| baby boomers reaching the senior years means | | | | history of solid earnings, a base of customers, |
| billions being spent on products and services | | | | and a product or service to sell that has proved |
| specific for this market. And there is a broad | | | | to be popular. |
| range of businesses in this category, from care | | | | 6. Buy local enterprises -- The desire to support |
| centers and at-home services to educational | | | | merchants near home rather than add to the |
| programs, travel and tour enterprises and, if you | | | | profits of big chain stores, and to avoid imported |
| have the proper training, health facilities. | | | | merchandise of questionable quality, and to |
| 3. Personal services -- Not only does the | | | | discourage the energy-burning practice of shipping |
| economy's personal services sector offer | | | | goods to your table from across the globe--these |
| numerous and varied opportunities, it also has this | | | | consumer motivations are contributing to a |
| advantage: the competition can't outsource to | | | | growing trend of buying from local merchants. |
| reduce costs and beat you on pricing. Companies | | | | Business buyers interested in retail companies for |
| offering massage therapy, beauty services, | | | | sale are smart to search for those with a strong |
| computer technical support, laundry, house | | | | following in their neighborhoods. As customers |
| cleaning, childcare and the many other functions | | | | realize the benefit to their cities and towns of |
| on which people rely to manage their busy lives, | | | | keeping their money in local circulation, many retail |
| command a significant dollar share of the | | | | merchants rooted on Main Street, rather than |
| economy. For many entrepreneurs planning to | | | | Wall Street, will have the opportunity to take |
| buy businesses, the search should involve a close | | | | back some of the market share they had been |
| look at this sector. | | | | losing to the big box operators. |
| 4. Catering to limited budgets -- Whether it's a | | | | The successful plan to buy businesses should |
| dollar store, recycled clothing boutique or services | | | | include, along with choosing competent advisors |
| for the DYI customer, companies marketing to | | | | and conducting careful due diligence, the tactic of |
| budget-conscious consumers have a good future. | | | | focusing on industries well positioned for 2010 and |
| Even in a rapid economic recovery, it will take a | | | | beyond. |
| long time for most of the currently unemployed | | | | |