Prior to the 1980's people began retiring earlier and earlier. It wasn't until the economic downturn in 2000 that the trend began to reverse. People were working longer, not because they wanted to, but because they had too. Now that Americans are not eligible for full retirement benefits until the age of 67, the entrepreneurial activity of those aged 55-64 is at the highest it's been in 10 years.

 According to a study published by Irish Life Insurance, 1 in 3 new businesses are started by an entrepreneur age 50 or older. Of these business owners many were victims of corporate downsizing, finding themselves left without job options or a steady paycheck far before their expected retirement. Others were simply not mentally or financially ready to stop working, but looking for new business ventures that they could be passionate about.

We probably don't need to give you a list of reasons why corporate America stinks. Aside from the inflexibility, conformity, office politics and, of course, your boss, you've probably gone stir crazy with the mindless tasks and florescent lights. At one point, the thought was that the only way for you to become successful was to work in a corporation. The truth is, that's no longer valid. Now you can achieve the same or greater success working for yourself than you ever could working for "the man."

Check out MaidPro's top 10 reasons to leave your cubicle and how choosing to do so will change your life for the better.

Real Talk. No Fluff. 

MaidPro's professional Business Consultant, Ryan Rabideau, discusses the 5 truths behind what it takes to own your own business. After helping to open more than 115 locations, Rabideau can give you a first hand look at what new owners can expect when they choose to open a cleaning business through MaidPro.

Is it a necessity or a luxury?

Achieving a work-life balance has become increasingly more important over the past decade. As lives continue to get busier, time is a commodity that people are willing to pay for. The need for balance is directly reflected in the growth of the home cleaning industry.

Many new business owners have stepped through our MaidPro doors and it's safe to say we've pretty much seen it all. Check out our list of the 7 most common struggles prospective business owners face today,  compiled by yours truly.

Struggle #1: Bad Marketing - New owners often hesitate to put more money into marketing if they are unable to see an immediate return on investment. Since sales and marketing are directly correlated, lackluster marketing efforts cause a dwindling sales pipeline. Problems also tend to arise when owners are unsure where to spend their marketing budgets and how to analyze their marketing data.

Employee Recruitment

Finding the right employees for a home cleaning business is difficult, keeping them is even harder. In the home cleaning business you must have a pipeline full of applicants 24/7. Making sure to find, interview and hire the right people for the job is an art. After, you must be able to train and get them in the field as quickly as possible. Perfecting your recruitment process is necessary in order to keep your employees loyal and happy.

Are you tired of working for someone else, around their schedule, and on their time?  Are you looking for more time to spend with your loved ones but you don't have any "Paid Time Off" to spare? It may be time for you to shake the corporate chains and enter into a business that's more "life-friendly." Starting a cleaning business offers both flexibility and benefits that the corporate world won't and other industries can't.

You've always dreamed of owning your own business. You've put it off because you weren't sure where to start or what business was right for you. Whether being an entrepreneur is an old dream or a new venture, there is no better time to take control of your life. Now that you've decided that owning a business is right for you - the next step is discovering what franchise opportunities are best suited for your career, family and financial goals. 

As the entrepreneurial spirit grows many look to franchising to help them jump start their business dreams. As you begin your research one is quick to realize that franchising is available in a variety of industries, Home Cleaning, Food Services, Gyms,  various Retail opportunities and beyond. With all the options it can be difficult to decipher which industry will best suit your budget and lifestyle.