prospect Edition, Issue 9









Franchising Outlook 2014



The International Franchise Association (in a report prepared by IHS Global Insights) predicts the following for 2014 in their report, Franchise Business Economic Outlook for 2014:
  • We expect the number of franchise establishments in the United States to increase by 1.7% in 2014, ahead of the 2013 pace of 1.4%.
  • We expect employment in franchise establishments to increase 2.3% in 2014, matching the pace of growth in 2013.
2014 will be a good year to consider a franchise partly because of the slow but steady economic expansion (predicted in the report as 2.7% 2014 GDP growth). Labor costs are reasonable, interest rates are still low and leases/rents continue to stay at manageable levels.

Take labor, for instance. As the unemployment rate drops and businesses expand, skilled labor will become more difficult to attract not to mention more costly. While interest rates are still attractive, it's only a matter of time before they begin to rise. The same with rents.

—at the lowest labor costs, rents and interest rates. It's a perfect storm in which to create a profitable business. Lower startup costs mean a quicker breakeven point.




Cupid

In Roman Mythology, Cupid is described as the son of Venus- the Goddess of Love. She used to send him on errands to shoot people with his bow and arrow to make them fall in love. In Roman and Greek mythology Cupid always appeared as a youth—not a chubby baby with wings.

Some mythologies suggest that anyone shot with a Cupid's arrow will fall in love with the first person s/he sees afterward!



Five Fun Valentine’s Day Facts

  1. A red rose means love and respect, pink says that the sender is having sweet thoughts about the recipient and a white rose states that the sender is worthy of the recipients love.
  2. Women buy 85% of all Valentine's Day Cards.
  3. The oldest surviving love poem is written on a clay tablet that's over 5,000 years old.
  4. Men spend about $130 each on Valentine's Day gifts like candy, flowers, dates, etc. Women spend less than half that.
  5. 10 percent (or about 220,000) of yearly wedding proposals are made on Valentine's Day.






2660 NE Hwy 20 Suite 610
Bend, OR 97701


19309 Winmeade Drive
Lansdowne, VA 20176


2473 S. Higley Road, Suite 104
Gilbert, AZ 85295


731 E. Yosemite Ave., Ste B 
Merced, CA 95340


800 S Us Highway 27
St. Johns, MI 48879






The Easy Way to Learn About Postal Connections



Learning what to expect when you own a Postal Connections can be easily understood. John Byron, Postal Connections V.P. of Franchise Development, explains one-on-one what you want to know in a webinar tailored to your questions and available time. With no pressure or obligation, the meeting is done on Web-X without tracking cookies or any invasive files put on your equipment. It is an interactive audio-visual look at our franchise opportunity. Simply contact John with your questions and available time at john@postalconnections.com. Tell him what you want to know. He will customize a webinar for you and schedule a time to join into your live Internet briefing about Postal Connections.

Postal Connections:
Postal Connections, a store in your neighborhood, provides a wide variety of business and administrative services that support on-the-go consumers and business people. We provide the service you want with the technology we know.

Services and products offered include a full spectrum of shipping choices, packaging, mailbox rental, copying/printing, office/shipping supplies, internet services, document preparation, notary services, passport photos, greeting cards and faxing.




Love Quotes

Don't threaten me with love, baby. Let's just go walking in the rain.
Billie Holiday

Husbands are like fires - they go out when they're left unattended.
Cher

I want a man who is kind and understanding. Is that too much to ask of a millionaire?
Zsa Zsa Gabor

Without Valentine's Day, February would be... well, January.
Jim Gaffigan