EDITOR'S NOTE: News Bytes reports on topics of interest to everyone involved in franchising. Short items are invited for submission but cannot be acknowledged nor returned.

How to help minority-owned small businesses expand their businesses globally. By Jovita Carranza, SBA Deputy Administrator	It has been 25 years since then-President Ronald Reagan proclaimed the very first Minority Enterprise Development Week, or MED Week. Since then, every President has issued a Proclamation designating a week for minority business owners to gather, speak with government officials, be honored for their achievements, and – perhaps most importantly – share ideas and innovations with each other. At the time, minority-owned small businesses were among the fastest growing sectors in the American economy, despite the significant challenges they faced, among them gaining access to capital and federal contracting opportunities. This year’s MED Week conference, the largest federally sponsored event held for minority businesses each year, will be held on Sept. 3-5 in Washington, D.C. at the Omni Shoreham Hotel. The event is co-hosted by the U.S. Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce. To learn more information about the details for the event, visit medweek.gov or to attend one of SBA’s local MED Week events around the country.
100TH Homewatch CareGivers’ Franchisee Opens in Atlanta, GA	AUGUST 26, 2008—GREENWOOD VILLAGE, CO—Homewatch CareGivers, the largest, most experienced international provider of full-service in-home care for people of all ages, has sold its Atlanta, GA territory to its 100th new franchise owners, Jeff and Amy Whitehouse, which brings the care provider to its greatest number of individual owners and highest level of 165 territories in the company’s history, said Leann Reynolds, president, Homewatch CareGivers. Since 1980, Homewatch CareGivers has provided in-home companion, personal and comprehensive care. For more than 13 years, Jeff Whitehouse has been branch sales manager for HSBC Bank. His business development expertise will be supported by his wife, Amy, a sales manager for AT&T Business Sales. “Our franchisees come from strong business backgrounds,” Reynolds explained. “They’re impressed with Homewatch CareGivers because we are a family-centric business, we offer superior owner support and training and we are committed to preserving dignity, protecting independence and providing peace of mind for our clients and loved ones by offering exceptional in-home care, wherever home may be.”
Sopra Capital Acquires HouseMaster Home Inspections	Salt Lake City, UT and Bound Brook, NJ (August 25, 2008) - Sopra Capital announced today its acquisition of HouseMaster, the oldest home inspection organization in the United States and Canada. Sopra Capital, LLC is a private equity and management firm focused on the acquisition and development of established franchise brands that are poised for growth. HouseMaster currently has over 395 franchised territories throughout the U.S. and Canada. Founded in 1979 by Kenneth T. Austin, HouseMaster was the first home inspection franchise operation in the United States. Within a few years, HouseMaster expanded to 12 states. By 1993, there were 175 U.S. offices, and the company opened its first international office in the Winnipeg, Manitoba Province, of Canada. Since 2002, when HouseMaster's current President Kathleen Austin Kuhn assumed control of the company, HouseMaster has grown to over 395 franchises located throughout North America. "This is an exciting time for HouseMaster," said Kuhn. "Our partnership with Sopra Capital will take HouseMaster to the next level. Sopra's management team has the resources, franchising knowledge, and experience in growing franchise businesses to maximize the performance of existing HouseMaster franchisees while expanding the company into new and untapped markets. Given these new resources, the opportunities for the company and our franchisees truly are limitless."
Proforma 21st Annual Convention Paves the Way to Achieving Infinite Dreams	Cleveland, OH – August 21, 2008 Proforma held its 21st Annual Convention and Family Reunion in Orlando, Florida, August 3rd – August 6th at the Walt Disney World Dolphin Resort. Over 800 attendees benefited from educational sessions, seminars and networking opportunities at the four-day event. This year’s Convention, where Owners were inspired to make this the ‘Year of Infinite Dreams’ was Proforma’s most successful to date with a 20% increase in attendance. The increase was largely due to the effective and consistent communication of the key benefits of attendance. Attendees participated in a multitude of sessions delivered by industry recognized speakers such as Cliff Quicksell, David Blaise, Dave Fellman and Laura Posey, as well as a unique presentation from Proforma Founder and Co-CEO Greg Muzzillo, and a panel of the industry’s top vendor CEOs. Muzzillo led his Sales Basics Boot Camp which defined the basic sales principles and has garnered industry recognition at similar shows like the ASI Show. Muzzillo also acted as host to the first ever Proforma Vendor CEO Panel, which highlighted CEOs from the highest-ranked and most accomplished suppliers in the industry whose discussions focused on topics related to industry trends and sales potential. The organizational technology initiative, coined Project Frontier, was a focal point of interest and provided substance to educational sessions throughout the Convention; after nearly 18 months of redefining the Proforma Brand, the Marketing role at this event shifted to education and awareness of the essence and key values to the brand strategy. A return favorite for several years running, the Vendor and New Product Showcases, exhibited by Proforma’s Preferred Limited Partners (PLPs) provided franchise Owners with the chance to meet face-to-face with vendors who demonstrated products and services at the two-day showcase. Also a return favorite, the fourth annual Women Business Owner’s Interactive Session featured seven of Proforma’s most recognized and decorated women business Owners in an open forum discussion of the benefits and challenges facing women in today’s business world.

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