Steve Magat leaped into franchise ownership in 2009. After getting laid off in August from his job as a production manager at Capital One Financial Corp., Magat decided he wanted to go into business for himself. He didn’t see much growth potential at a big company. But he didn’t want to go down the trial-and-error route. So, after doing a lot of research and consulting a variety of people, Magat decided to buy a Tutor Doctor franchise, which cost him under $50,000. His franchise, which provides in-home academic tutoring, opened in November.

Many military personnel become small-business owners instead of joining corporate America when they return to the civilian work force. The Small Business Administration wants to make sure they are prepared for that transition. The SBA, in cooperation with the Crater Small Business Development Center and New Visions, New Ventures, is holding a four-hour free seminar today at Fort Lee on franchising opportunities for veterans. The program starts at 10 a.m.

If you’re thinking about using your severance package to buy a franchise, think twice. That might not be the right option for you, warned Tom Lawrence, president of FranNet of Greater Richmond, a franchise consultant.

Matt Ferguson builds homes, but his next job is a retrofit. The Hanover County builder saw a good year turn sour in August and September, so he and his wife, Beverly, went looking for other options to survive the economic meltdown of the real estate industry.