You hear about franchising every day. Chances are, you spend money in franchised businesses every day as well. Just how big is the franchising way of doing business in 2016 America? In terms of sheer numbers—jobs, revenues, dollars in the economy, people employed—it’s massive. It has never been easier to fund a franchise!

Once you get past any anxieties about franchise investment, it’s time to do an honest self-assessment about whether you’re suited to business ownership. What do you need to succeed? There are multiple options for franchisees to choose from, but a basic set of qualities that franchisors look for in a candidate.

At its core, a franchise is simply a way of doing business—a method that works for providing a service or delivering goods to a consumer.

When you decide to move forward in entrepreneurship, you’re going to find yourself overwhelmed with choices. There are nearly 3,000 different franchise opportunities in the US today and more than 740,000 unique franchise establishments. There is truly no segment of our economy franchising doesn’t touch.

With so many options, it can seem impossible to winnow the massive pool down to just a few prospects. But with research, you can find a franchise opportunity right for you!

HEAR PETE AND nat discuss finding the right franchise

A franchise consultant can help make this process manageable, but you can start by looking at these five main qualities that are the hallmarks of top franchising companies and promising investments when you are looking to own your own franchise.

I’ll let you in on a little secret—and one of the biggest mistakes people make when they first consider franchising: They don’t distinguish between what they’re interested in and what they’re good at. Sounds obvious, but making a simple mental shift from “I like” to “I’m good at” can make a world of difference.

You see, when you invest in a franchise, you don't necessarily need to know the new industry on a professional level, though it helps if it's something of interest to you. On the other hand, just because you like an activity or subject area—like crafting, for example—doesn’t necessarily mean a related franchise (like a pottery painting shop) represents the right business model for you.

A good franchise consultant is like a matchmaker, getting the right people together with the right concepts. It’s someone who works with franchisors and franchisees day in and day out who has a unique perspective on the kinds of investments and partnerships that work well—and on those that don’t.

By Pete Gilfillan, best-selling author of HIRE YOURSELF: Control Your Own Destiny through Franchise Ownership.

There are countless reasons for a corporate career to come to an end long before you’re ready to retire to your rocking chair:

Job searches can be frustrating and deflating for the unemployed or for anyone seeking new career opportunities. Your old executive salary is gone and you need to replace it.