Is entrepreneurship for you?

As some of your know, I really enjoy marketing, brand development and the research involved throughout the process. One of the niches I've found is this crazy world of franchising. I recently heard there are over 4,500 franchise concepts in the US alone. And that number is almost double the 2001-2002 figures. More and more people are not only deciding to start a franchise, but thousands more are deciding to have a go at entrepreneurship and buy a franchise opportunity. There are a few very basic, but key questions to ask yourself -

1. Should I go into business for myself?
2. Should I go into the widget business?
3. Should I go it alone or buy a franchise?
4. Should I buy your widget franchise

If you are able to answer these four questions (courtesy of Entrepreneur.com), you may well be on your way to owning your own business. Good luck. Let me know what I can do to help.

Ouray, Colorado

Next week I am heading West, my friends, to Ouray, Colorado, the ice climbing capital of the world and location of the annual Ouray Ice Festival. I'll be with my good friend Drue, an old building mate in Washington, DC. I can't begin to tell you how much I am looking forward to the trip. It's been a few years since I've climbed and even more since I've gone vertical on ice. But I know I'm up for the challenge. I'm also ready to take a break for the daily grind, enjoy the outdoors and Drue's company.

I recently heard that Americans are bombarded by far more outside stimuli compared to people of other nationalities. My friend continued, saying, that the only time Americans experience total silence is during sleep. But in Japan (or China), there is an device you can install in your home, or office, that allows total silence at any time. And that one hour of total silence is equivalent to seven full hours of sleep.

Hearing all this made me immediately think about my 1998 NOLS trip to Australia and a 3-day solo "expedition" on Sunday Island (NW Australian Island). What made the experience that much more special was that I had no food during the three days. Just a couple gallons of water, my journal and my sleeping pad. It's been almost 10 years since my three days of silence ... and while Ouray won't fulfill that need, I will be able to separate from work for a few days to get a fresh perspective.

While I work on my computer, watch Monday Night Football and talk with Beth, I'll start thinking about when I can work a few minutes of silence into my schedule.

Bob Marley & Celine Deon ... Both Jamaican icons?

Earlier this evening, I went to our favorite take-out restaurant, The Roasting Company, to pick up dinner for my wife and me. It's probably my favorite place within a five mile radius of my house ... I can get some of the best rotisserie chicken in Charlotte and Beth is able to get an all veggie plate where none of the vegetables are cooked with meat (Beth is officially a "fishatarian"). Perfect.

On the way home I heard a special on NPR about Celine Deon and her influence on Jamaican pop culture. Sure, I thought. I can just see a bunch of natty dreads rockin' out to Celine. But I guess I'm wrong. According to the interview, Celine is a rock icon in Jamaica. And it's not the masses that admire her the most but the Jamaican gangstas, drug dealers and other seedy individuals. So if you're visiting Negril, Kingston or Ocho Rios anytime soon and hear Celine, I suggest you accelerate the scooter you're on and get as far away as possible.