After having spoken to hundreds of people about entrepreneurship, I still run across people who are "too smart" for their own good. They know all the answers before asking the questions. They close themselves off to a myriad of possibilities, options, and dreams.

When I bought my first business, I thought I had made the perfect choice. After all, it was a popular franchise and I loved the food. I had a long track record of success in corporate America and thought I knew it all. Unfortunately, I had not considered what my role would be as the business owner.

Luckily for me, I was able to sell my first shot at self-employment and have a second chance at realizing my dream. This time, I researched, interviewed and refused to give up until I found something that made sense. In my search, I came across The Entrepreneur's Source. I went through their process of discovery, which emphasizes defining goals, needs, and objectives. My coach forced me to keep an open mind about all my possibilities. As it turned out, The Entrepreneur's Source was a natural fit for me. I could not be more thrilled about my decision to become a franchisee of The Entrepreneur's Source this time around.

The process is twofold. The first half is all about discovery. We coach our clients through sessions that help them define their goals and objectives. We want them to create a mental picture of what they want their lives to look like. We help our clients find out about themselves first. This educational phase is critical to determining the next step.

It is here where those considering franchise ownership need to look at themselves in a way they may never have been required to before. They must do that to determine what their motivations are, what roles they enjoy, what types of satisfaction they derive from their work, and whether or not being a business owner is right for them.

If we mutually determine that business ownership is right for our client, we move into our second phase of business validation. Together we look at business opportunities that have the potential to meet the goals of our clients. We gather information from franchisors, franchisees, and other sources in order to answer our clients' questions. We then have the knowledge we need evaluate the business against the goals and objectives we established in the first phase of our process. This system has been around for 21 years and has helped place thousands of clients into business that makes sense for them.

Keeping an open mind is critical in this process. Literally 95 percent of the people placed by The Entrepreneur's Source end up in something they had not previously considered. Our process focuses on what the client wants to achieve with this new venture and what they want it to bring them. The product or service provided by the business is a secondary factor.

Just as building a business takes hard work, finding the right business opportunity is an arduous process. But with some help, it does not have to be impossible and can be very gratifying. Ultimately there is no substitute for preparation. Following your dream to run your own business is a life altering process that requires discipline, determination, and the support of your family and friends. Only then will the possibilities of controlling your own destiny be open to you.

- Greg Mooneyham