Are you considering a switch from corporate employee work-life to entrepreneurship or franchise ownership? Many people who are considering this change face doubts about whether they’re prepared to handle the demands of entrepreneurship. There’s no denying that this is a big step, but there are actually some good reasons why your work experience as an employee has prepared you to own a franchise.

• Communication skills. Your work experience has probably helped you build good communications skills – a trait that will be invaluable to you as you become the leading person in your organization.

• Connections. If you choose to stay in the same area, you are likely to have a lot of business connections that you’ve made through your previous job. These people could turn out to be potential business sponsors or simply a network of people who can give you good advice as you embark on this venture.

• First-hand observations. After years of working as an employee, you know what qualities you would want to see in your future employees. And you know what qualities your employees would want to see in a boss. Better than any business school can offer, you have had years of opportunities to observe different leadership styles at work. What worked? What didn’t work? Use this knowledge as you start on your own.