Making the transition to caring

Entrepreneurs are made in a recession.

Consider Wanda Bishop, who recently invested $28,000 to buy the franchise rights in Fort Myers for Caring Transitions, a company that helps the elderly and their family move and sell a home.

Two years ago, Bishop was laid off from a media-buying company in Atlanta and moved to North Fort Myers to be closer to her aging mother.

With job prospects slim, Bishop became an entrepreneur and started her own business by buying a Caring Transitions franchise.

“I'm never going to get downsized again,” says Bishop.

Making the transition from employee to entrepreneur “can be somewhat scary,” Bishop acknowledges. “I'd like to see a little more income coming in, but I feel so in control of what I can do.”

After just two months in business, Bishop has landed several new clients and is actively seeking new business by venturing to networking functions.

“There are days it's a challenge. I have to make sure that I stay focused,” she says.