This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+ today for access

Learn More

Already have an account?

Sign in
Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

Quick Turnaround The fine print, `toon in

By Lori Francisco

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

When searching for a franchise, most people are interested onlyin how successful the business is and how much money they'llmake. When presented with a sinking ship, they either jumpoverboard or just pass it by. Except for Steve Jecha.

In 1994, with little net worth and no experience in the printingindustry, Jecha left the world of insurance to become anInsty-Prints franchisee. The executives at the printing franchisemade him an offer he couldn't refuse--no money down andfinancing over seven years. The catch? He had to turn around a St.Paul, Minnesota, franchise that was going out of business.

Jecha decided to give it a shot--and what a shot it was. Thefranchise's sales grew from $70,000 in 1994 to $932,000 in1998. He expects this year's sales to hit $1.1 million.