Franchising
Five things to look for in a franchise
![Briony Vince advises to seek a smart franchisor who is going to be making intelligent decisions,](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/27/6033915/Thumbnail6350625811t5ocimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.11t5qq.png1417496476119.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Nigel Bowen Not all franchises are created equal. Here are the essential ingredients of the best ones.
How I raised $35 million
![Chris Strode](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/27/6032096/Chris-Strode-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long It was Chris Strode's major achievement for the year. What's yours?
The Iconic's inside running
![The Iconic's Adam Jacobs says it's fairly obvious what's selling now – active wear.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/26/6030033/Thumbnail6356871411ui1bimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.11uhxm.png1417046870405.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Adam Courtenay No one knows better what's hot this Christmas than the man who runs Australia's top fashion e-tailer.
The fitness franchise taking on Europe
![Gym](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/27/6032085/Gym-90x60.jpg)
Christine D'Mello It has been widely successful in Australia, and now this gym chain is poised for world domination.
How to get 3626% revenue growth
![Data driven: NEXTDC chief executive Craig Scroggie backs a culture of innovation.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/26/6027926/Thumbnail6354162211tx3qimage.related.thumbnail.320x214.11tx12.png1416979277315.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Alexandra Cain Heard of cloud computing? This business is home to the cloud and the sky really is the limit for it.
COMMENT
Is a boom this summer a threat?
![Fraud](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2013/04/21/4210387/th-fraud-90x60.jpg)
Leo Tutt If you're hiring staff to cope with summer trade, make sure they're trustworthy.
Help! I've got no elves!
![Santa](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/25/6024933/Santa-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Kate Jones This is what you should do if you've reached the pointy end of the year and find you don't have enough staff.
I built a business in 30 hours
![start-up](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2012/08/23/3577426/th-325857563-90x60.jpg)
Will Gibbons I had the help of six strangers. This is what I learned.
Boob job prices plummet
![Boobs](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/25/6025311/Boobs-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Caroline James This preschool drop-out has built a $15m breast enlargement business by slashing the cost of surgery.
Too many 'thought leaders'
![Genius](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/19/6002665/Genius-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Sylvia Pennington These days everyone purports to be an expert - but are they really?
The rise of Generation Z
![Teenager](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/19/6002661/Teenager-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Adam Courtenay You've met Alex from Target, now get ready for the rest of his cohort.
This is the AirBNB of car parks
![Nick Austin from Divvy Parking.](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/14/5987415/Thumbnail6319181411mf64image.related.thumbnail.320x214.11mf46.png1416746815130.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Gayle Bryant This new parking concept is an ingenious idea that will disrupt traditional car parks.
This is the AirBNB of car parks
![Nick Austin](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/23/6017674/th-nick-20austin-90x60.jpg)
Gayle Bryant New concept an ingenious idea that will disrupt traditional car parks.
Always wanted to learn an instrument?
![Sing](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/20/6006594/Sing-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Claire Dunn Then you need to check out this start-up that's revolutionising music lessons.
COMMENT
Is your reputation at risk?
![Reputation](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/20/6008740/Reputation-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Harvey Christophers It can vanish in an instant, unless you protect it properly.
Ten business etiquette mistakes
![Egg](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/20/6007472/Egg-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Ilya Pozin If you're guilty of these clangers, you're holding yourself back.
So you want to be a personal trainer?
![Torso](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/19/6002016/Torso-90x60.jpg)
Claire Dunn With obesity levels rising and the fitness fad yet to reach its peak, there are plenty of opportunities for talented PTs.
How to cope with abusive customers
![Abuse](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/11/19/6002018/Abuse-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Christine Long Unfortunately, every business owner needs to know what to do when things get nasty.
COMMENT
So you want to start a start-up?
![Start-up](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/08/28/5713110/Start-up-thumb-90x60.jpg)
Nicolette Maury Make 2015 the year your dream of owning your own business comes true.
COMMENT
How to sell your business tax-free
![Lottery windfall](http://web.archive.org./web/20141207230133im_/http://images.smh.com.au/2014/08/22/5699196/1408691858821.jpg-90x60.jpg)
Anna Carrabs Did you know you can sell your business without paying a cent to the ATO?