Better Gifting for the Holidays, Franchise Ideas, and Hot Freelancer Apps
A Different Kind of ‘Gift’ for Your Kids this Holiday Season
Forget toys and video games. This year, consider investing — literally investing — in your child’s future.
Of course, investment opportunities are endless. To help you cut through the noise and make a smart decision, here are four investments options parents should consider.
Commercial real estate
You don’t have to be an ultra-wealthy investor to get into the commercial real estate industry. Online real estate platforms are a great way to get started in this space and connect with other investors.
A 529 savings plan
Also known as a qualified tuition plan, a 529 allows parents to put away money for a child’s education that grows tax-free. Start early — college isn’t cheap, and costs will continue to rise.
The stock market
Stocks are one of the most traditional ways to invest. If you’re new to the stock market, take Warren Buffett’s advice and invest only in industries you understand. This won’t affect your bottom line, but at least you’ll feel that you understood what happened when your investment goes up or down.
Yourself
It may sound cheesy, but betting on yourself — whether that means going back to school or starting a new business — is both an investment strategy and a safety net for when the labor market shifts.
Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/324257
Entrepreneur’s Top 10 Franchise Categories for 2019
Every December, Entrepreneur releases a list of their predictions for the hottest franchise categories in the year ahead. If you’re interested in getting in on the ground floor of the next big thing or considering investing in a franchise industry that’s going strong, this list is for you.
Asian Food
The poke craze is still going strong and more and more franchises are popping up across the country. Long-standing franchises with Asian-inspired menus are continuing to thrive as well.
A few examples: Poke Life, Poki Bowl, Island Fin Poke Company, Sriracha House, Thai Express.
Beauty/Grooming Services
Self care is IN — particularly nail care and eyelash services. And this trend isn’t just for women; there are a number of salons and brands that offer services specifically for image-conscious men.
A few examples: Amazing Lash Studio, Cherry Blow Dry Bar Franchise Systems, Deka Lash, Roosters Men’s Grooming Centers, Scissors & Scotch.
Childcare
Demand for childcare is high, and well-known brands — especially those that offer educational services and learning environments — inspire trust. It’s no surprise that childcare franchises continue to experience impressive growth.
A few examples: Genius Kids, Ivybrook Academy, LeafSpring Schools, Goddard Systems, Primrose School Franchising.
Electronics
Smartphones and other electronics are permanent fixtures in nearly everyone’s everyday life, and franchises are keeping their customers connected by offering repair services, resales, accessories, and more.
A few examples: iDropped, Mobile Bling, Kix Mobile, TechVoo, uBreakiFix.
Entertainment/Recreation
These past few years have seen an explosion in franchises that are all about fun. Think: trampoline parks, paint-and-sip studios, and escape rooms. The latest trend is DIY studios, where people can create their own craft projects.
A few examples: Escapology, Launch Trampoline Park, X-Golf Franchise, Wine & Design, Painting with a Twist.
Fitness
The fitness franchise industry is HUGE and it shows no signs of slowing down. From large gyms to boutique studios, there’s something for everyone — including sports and fitness centers for kids.
A few examples: The Barre Code, Pure Barre, CycleBar, Orangetheory Fitness, Aqua-Tots Swim Schools.
Frozen Desserts
Who doesn’t love frozen desserts? Aside from classics like ice cream and frozen yogurt, trending right now are novelty concepts like rolled ice cream and treats made with liquid nitrogen. A few examples: Ben & Jerry’s, Dippin’ Dots Franchising, Pinkberry, Rita’s Italian Ice, Yogurt Mountain.
Mexican Food
Last year, Mexican food overtook pizza to become the second most popular menu type in the U.S. These franchises offer everything from traditional cuisine to fresh fusions.
A few examples: Baja Fresh, California Tortilla, Jimboy’s Tacos, Del Taco Fresh Mexican Grill, TacoTime.
Pets
Pet owners are happy to splurge when it comes to their furry friends, so it’s no surprise that these franchises continue to see success.
A few examples: Camp Bow Wow, The Dog Wizard, Groom & Go, K9 Resorts, Wag N’ Wash Natural Food & Bakery.
Staffing/Recruiting
The staffing and recruiting industry is on the rise and franchisors offering these services continue to perform well.
A few examples: AtWork Group, Express Employment, PrideStaff, Remedy Intelligent Staffing, Spherion Staffing.
Keep in mind, this list is not intended as an endorsement for any particular company. No matter what franchise opportunity you’re considering — trending or not — it’s critical to do your own homework before you invest.
Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/323028
The Five Hottest New Apps for Freelancers
Every freelancer worth her salt knows about the biggies (like Slack, Zoom, and Google docs), but here’s a list of five lesser-known apps that are surging in usage and likely to continue gaining popularity into 2019.
Airtable
This wildly flexible spreadsheet/database hybrid helps users to manage everything from budgets to project workflow.
Paperform
This superflexible tool allows users to create beautiful forms with their own branding material that can also take payments.
Wave
This financial software is designed for entrepreneurs’ accounting, invoicing, and payment processing needs.
Clickup
This app caters to different teams and allows users to customize the way their projects are managed.
Proposify
This organizational software streamlines entrepreneurs’ proposals and contracts.
No matter your industry, these five timesaving apps are worth a look. Afterall, time is money.