If you're thinking of starting your own business...

Compared to the challenges of funding and building a business from scratch, franchising gives you a huge head start. That's because when you purchase a franchise you're investing in a proven way of doing business, a support system that includes training and often financing assistance, plus you're buying into a recognizable brand name consumers know and trust.

No matter what kind of business you're interested in, from restaurants to sports retailing, from accounting to computers, home-based or multi-unit, full-time or part-time, chances are there's a franchise opportunity just right for you. And if you think a franchise is way out of your financial reach, think again.

At the Minority Franchise Buyers' Conference, coming in the Fall, you'll have a chance to explore all the possibilities. In one information-packed day, you'll be able to:

• Explore numerous franchise opportunities.
• Identify funding sources including community development lenders and minority focused equity investors.
• Talk with successful franchise owners and learn how they made it happen.
• Evaluate actual franchise deals to see if they're right for you.

The Minority Franchise Buyers' Conference is by far the most comprehensive conference of its type, featuring a rich mix of:

• Presentations by industry experts.
• Peer-to-peer learning opportunities.
• The "How I Did It" Roundtable.
• An Exhibitor Showcase.
• A Franchise Site Tour.
• The Deal Room

Franchising accounts for more than $1 trillion in sales and 50% of all retail receipts in the U.S. each year. Yet, Asians, Blacks, and Hispanics, who make up 25% of the population, own only 6-9% of all franchises. Here's your chance to take part in this lucrative and growing sector.