What hath the recession wrought for franchise prospects? Joel Libava joins Jim Blasingame to talk about franchise due diligence, including how to find the business opportunity that fits you more than it fits your circumstances.

Many people are in transition these days, either by their own choice or other circumstances. Jim Manton joins Jim Blasingame to talk about how to make a transition successfully in a way that is good for you and society.

Are you having difficulty transitioning from employment to ownership? Matthew talks with Jim Blasingame about the challenges people are having with all of the personal and professional transitions required these days, and how to handle them effectively.

Operating a small business successfully is not a sprint, it's a marathon. The question is, do you have the entrepreneurial stamina to run this race? Jeff Zbar and Jim Blasingame talk about some of the gut-checks you have to endure to make it as a small business owner.

Selling in a recession is more about what customers need than what you have to sell? John Patterson and Chip Bell talk with Jim Blasingame about how to have the courage to focus more on finding out what customers need than on what you need to sell today.

Is this a good time to start a small business? Bill Topaz joins Jim Blasingame to talk about this issue first and then move on to discuss the challenges of managing employees during a tough economic time.

High unemployment is a classic engine for new small business creation. But what do you have to do to make that leap? Jeff Zbar joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the key small business start-up principles.

Do you want - or need - to start a small business, but you're an introvert? Or maybe you're just not great at self-promotion? Pat Weber joins Jim Blasingame to talk about some of the things you need to think about to get your new business off the ground successfully.

How does a small business owner deal with the fear factor that is so prevalent in our economy this year? Jim Donovan talks with Jim Blasingame about how to deal with an increased level of fear in the marketplace in a healthy and productive way.

What do home-based businesses have to do to survive 2009? Basically, what all business have to do, according to Beverley Williams, who joins Jim Blasingame to talk about the fundamental issue facing all businesses, large and small, which is staying relevant to your customers.