The document discusses opportunities that exist during a bad economy, such as opportunities in the service industry, franchising, and small businesses. It provides examples of business opportunities like auto repair, dog grooming, BBQ sauce, and specialty restaurants. It also discusses opportunities in home construction, engaging customers, green businesses, and how business owners can determine government opportunities. The document aims to encourage entrepreneurs by stating there is more opportunity today than ever before and that succeeding in this economy is possible.

1. Bad Economy Great Opportunities Thomas E. Lunney SCORE, Cincinnati, Ohio

2. What Can You Do? “ A wise man will make more opportunities than he finds.” Sir Francis Bacon

3. What Is A Bad Economy? One where you are making less money. One where you are spending less money. One where your kids moved back in with you. One where your parents moved in with you.

4. What Really Is A Bad Economy? Record Unemployment. Closing of Businesses. Cuts in Spending. Negative Press. Bottom Line - Fear.

5. Great Opportunities? Yes – There are Plenty! Service Industry Franchise Small Business Who Will Help? Shop 52 SCORE Private Industry

6. Service Industry Opportunities Health Home HVAC Auto Repair Food Service Specialty Restaurants Franchise Green Jobs

7. Franchise Opportunities It is not just food. Research work has been done for you. Requires a substantial up front payment by potential owner. You still have to work.

8. Small Business Opportunities Small business is going to get us out of this bad economy. Starting a small business now is better than ever. Financing a startup business requires about 20% from owner. Concentrate on your local community.

9. Small Business Opportunities Auto repair Dog grooming Barbeque sauce Specialty restaurant Part time job placement Social media maven Baby sitting service Professional networking community

10. State Economic Growth Source: U.S. Department of Bureau of Economic Analysis Updated: 6/2/09 Provided by Jeni Middaugh, VP UDF

11. What About Home Construction? Only two areas in US are showing growth in this area Texas Coastal region of the Carolinas Everywhere else new home construction was overbuilt Enough surplus for the next 3 years. More people remaining in their homes longer. Provided by Jeni Middaugh, VP UDF

12. Summary Decide how can you serve your target market better than the competition? What is your competitive edge? How can you tailor your products and services, pricing, distribution and promotional efforts to your advantage? How do you address consumers’ needs that are not being adequately met?

13. Final Thoughts There is more opportunity for you today than at any other point in history. You can succeed in this economy. Be honest in your appraisal of yourself and your business. Think of an airplane Reuse? Crash?

14. First Panel – Getting Started Dick Munson FranNet Bruce Vaillancourt Techsolve Richard Harris P3 Secure, LLC

15. Small Business Discussion Bryan Valerius Ace Hardware - Clifton Tom Lunney SCORE Counselor

16. Second Panel Dick Munson FranNet Barb Yankie Green Building Consulting Jim Dahl RetroTax

17. Questions for First Panel What is a Franchise? How is it different from just starting a business? Is Franchising just Food?

18. Questions for First Panel How do you engage your customers to build loyalty, generate publicity and create interest?

19. Questions for First Panel How does the current interest in green businesses translate into starting a new business venture?

20. Questions for First Panel How should business owners determine what government opportunities there are in their communities? Federal State Local

21. Questions for Ace Hardware Tell us about your hardware store. How did you identify your target market? How do you intend to segment yourself from other hardware stores? Why did you decide to locate yourself in Ludlow? What have you learned about marketing that you would not do again?

22. Questions for Second Panel Why do I need to be a franchise? What is the value of a franchise long term?

23. Questions for Second Panel What are some of the tax and other government incentives that a small business can benefit from today?

24. Questions for Second Panel What are the best ways to enter into green businesses? What are the current and future green business opportunities here in the Tri State area?

25. Questions for Second Panel What are the common mistakes you see for maturing businesses?