by Toni McKilligan

Created on: July 02, 2008   Last Updated: July 06, 2008

Many women are looking for ways to work from home, but starting a home-based business from scratch can be difficult. Home-based franchises are an excellent alternative to going it alone. They provide equipment, training and marketing support that takes the guess work and trial-and-error factors out of the equation. Often, too, they are already house-hold names in their fields, so business owners start out with an established reputation.

Some of the best women's franchises include tutoring services, on-line business support, cleaning services, child art programs, interior decorating and child ID services. The range of cost to purchase these franchises is from about $20,000.00 up to over $150,000.00. Some even have financing options available and require only a small cash investment to be made up front.

If you are interested in helping small to medium sized business improve sales through on-line marketing, WSI Internet may be the home-based franchise for you. WSI expects its franchisees to work full time as Internet Marketing Consultants. The investment required is $49,700.00 US. You will receive full training and on-going support.

There are numerous franchise opportunities for women who like to clean or decorate homes. Merry Maids is a highly ranked women's franchise that provides a unique system of home-cleaning services based on two-person teams. For your $24,350.00 to $55,450.00 investment, you receive everything you need to get started, including an intensive 8-day home-office training session, followed by mentorship from an established franchise owner. If you would prefer decorating to cleaning, Showhomes is a home-based franchise where you can stage empty houses and apartments that are for sale with furniture and decor. The idea is that potential buyers can see what the space can look like with the accoutrements of life in place. To become a Showhomes franchise owner you will need to invest $59,500.00 to $165,700.00 and will be expected to work on a full time basis.

For women entrepreneurs who like to work with children there are many franchising opportunities. Tutoring, art, and child ID services are in high demand. These types of franchises make rewarding careers for creative and caring women.

Club Z In-home Tutoring was ranked 99 out of the top 500 franchises by Entrepreneur Magazine. With Club Z, tutors work with students in person and on-line. The total investment in the franchise is $29,500.00 to $31,500.00, with an initial capital investment of only $5000.00 to $10.000.00.

Young Rembrandts offers art classes to pre-school and elementary school-aged children on a weekly basis. While this franchise requires space to hold the classes, it can be managed from home as well. The number 1 ranked home-based franchise in its category, Young Rembrandts business owners invest approximately $75,000.00 and sign a 10-year renewable contract. Training is available only at Young Rembrandts' head-quarters, but there is on-line and phone support available as well.

DigiKids and Ident-a-kid are two well-known child ID service franchises that are making a difference. Parents and educators agree that having a current photo ID for children helps them to rest a little easier. Both franchises cost less than $30,000 to purchase and offer complete training for the business owner.

All of these companies have Internet websites that will provide details about their services, products and franchises. They are all excellent opportunities for the business minded woman looking for a new career.

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