Creating Memories Make money with: family photos and greeting cards.
By Jessica Hale
Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.
Do you want to purchase a unique franchise that allows you tocreate beautiful memories for your customers? I.N.V.U. PortraitsInc. franchisees use hand-colored black-and-white and sepia-tonedphotography to capture portraits of children and families in uniqueand fun settings.
Hand-colored black-and-white photography has become extremelypopular on greeting cards and posters, and now the demand forphotos of loved ones using this classic style is increasing. Themarket for these one-of-a-kind portraits is virtually unlimited:Couples, parents and grandparents purchase the portraits forkeepsakes and gift-giving.
Franchisees are granted exclusive rights to offer I.N.V.U.'sservices in their areas. The business does not require a studio oroffice, eliminating the expense of leasing. A complete equipmentpackage is included in the start-up costs. Photographs can be shotanywhere: outdoors, in the setting of your choice, or in retailstore locations (such as department stores) using scenic backdrops.Even if you've never taken a professional portrait before, youcan become an I.N.V.U. franchisee; trained franchisees are ready tobegin their I.N.V.U. businesses, regardless of previousexperience.
Start-up costs average $30,000 and include all necessaryequipment, a camera, props, the franchise fee and training.
For more information, call (800) 292-INVU or visit http://INVUportraits.com
An Elephant Opportunity
If you like to set your own hours and work at your own pace, anElephant House greeting card franchise might be perfect for you.All you need to run an Elephant House franchise is a vehicle, somestorage space in your home and a friendly, outgoingpersonality.
An ideal homebased business, Elephant House offers a protectedterritory, and the greeting card line features designs bywell-known wildlife photographers and illustrators. You'lloffer the cards to retailers on consignment, so they pay only forthe cards they sell.
Elephant House provides two days of training in your territory.The first day, you'll learn marketing, sales, administrativeand customer service techniques. The second day is spent in thefield, learning how to select the best locations for your displaystands.
Possibilities for locations are virtually endless--gift shops,bookstores and more. The initial cost is $24,000, which includescards, display stands, supplies and the franchise fee. There are noroyalty fees, and the Elephant House team will find your first 40card-rack locations for you.
For more information, call (800) 729-2273
Lights, Camera, Action
By Natasha Emmons
Are you a Frank Capra with an entrepreneurial streak? Then aFamily Tree Video Inc. franchise may be the business opportunitythat makes yours a wonderful life.
Family Tree will provide you with production training and$25,000 worth of equipment, including a camera and aspecial-effects generator, to turn your creative instincts intocash. From your own home, you take people's favorite familyphotographs, slides and old home movies and turn them intoentertaining videos with music, voice-overs, titles and specialeffects.
The franchise costs $46,500, after which you own 100-percent ofyour franchise, equipment and name, with no royalty fees owed toFamily Tree. Complete training and support are provided.
For more information, call (619) 660-0853.
