This month we look at the rise in young business owners and assess franchising as a route to becoming your own boss.

Starting a business can be a daunting prospect at any age, with many young people put off by the risk that comes with launching a new company. Despite their fears, many more young people are taking the plunge.

According to the Household Survey of Entrepreneurship, released in 2006 by the Small Business Service of the DTI, there has been a 22% growth in the proportion of 16-24 year olds thinking about starting a business since 2003. Furthermore, the latest figures from the British Franchise Association show the number of graduates operating franchise units has increased to 23% in 2007.

Andy Hirst, Franchise Sales Manager at Domino's Pizza, comments, "It's great to see more young people enthusiastic about enterprise. Starting your own company is an exciting prospect, which gives you the chance to use your own initiative, implement creative ideas and enjoy the added financial rewards that come with being your own boss. At Domino's some of our most successful franchisees joined the system at a young age and have gone on to achieve great things.

"In reality the risk associated with launching a completely new concept can often put people off. That is what is so good about franchising, it's like running your own business, but with stabilisers. The power of a recognised brand combined with excellent supplier relationships, quality training and a wider management network provides a strong base for any entrepreneur, regardless of age or experience.

"What's more young people need role models, individuals they can aspire to. At Domino's we have franchisees who began their careers as delivery drivers at 16 years of age before buying a franchise, and others who joined us in their forties or fifties. Often, older franchisees can pass on life-long skills and provide inspiration to younger store owners across the business."

Pizza People

At 26 years old, Lisa Tobias is testimony to what hard work, commitment and drive can achieve. She now owns three stores across Scotland in Kilmarnock, Ayr and Clydebank.

Having started out in store as a pizza maker at her local Domino's, Lisa quickly progressed up through the ranks to become the company's "Manager of the Year" in 2002. Two years later she opened her first Domino's in Kilmarnock which was quickly followed by a second and third store.

Lisa says, "Starting my own franchise was a big challenge but I had so much support from the management at head office, my team in store and my family that it didn't take long to build a successful business. That's what is so great about franchising. You have all the benefits of becoming your own boss, with the added safety net of a recognised brand and strong internal management structure."

A true ambassador for Domino's, Lisa has dedicated a lot of spare time over recent years speaking at local educational events and national conferences to help inspire young people to start their own business. This commitment recently resulted in Lisa being nominated as regional ambassador for the Princes' Trust, an opportunity that will take her all over Scotland speaking at events to encourage and motivate young entrepreneurs.

Lisa says, "Young people need role models. Being able to nurture the business talent of our future generations and to help them realise their entrepreneurial dreams is incredibly rewarding. Having worked my way up to where I am today I know what it takes to succeed and I feel like I've got a lot of experience and advice to share with people who are starting out in their careers."

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