TCBY The Country's Best Yogurt

Uncertain economic times and high unemployment might make it seem like a bad time to start a business. But the gloom isn't stopping everyone. Some people have always dreamed of owning their own shop. Some want to control their own hours and schedule, tired of answering to a corporate boss. Some around the area are even bold enough to walk away from a stable job, casting aside worries about the region's unemployment still stubbornly topping 10 percent. More businesses opened last year in Mecklenburg County than in 2009, according to the Charlotte Chamber: 635 last year vs. 526 in 2009. Some say they're seeing more interest from workers who can't find employment anywhere else. "No question, with the record unemployment, that's helping our lead flow," said Josh D'Agostino, in charge of finding candidates to open new franchises for NAPA Auto Parts. He was at last week's Business and Franchise Expo in Charlotte, which NAPA was attending for the first time. In 2010, inquiries about opening a NAPA franchise jumped 18 percent. Here, three people share their stories and advice for anyone thinking about taking the leap themselves. Samuel Batt Age: 30. Business: Four TCBY stores at area shopping centers, with a fifth opening next month. Background: Batt was working as an information technology and management consultant at Accenture when his first son was born. While on paternity leave, Batt said, he realized he needed a job that allowed him to spend more time at home with his family and less time traveling to see clients. "It's not a situation where I hated my job," Batt said. "I was traveling Monday through Thursday, and I didn't want to travel away from my family any more." He thought about opening a restaurant, and gravitated to franchises because, aside from a high school stint at a bagel shop, Batt had no restaurant experience. Frozen yogurt was becoming popular again, and Batt had an idea - why not update one of his childhood favorites, TCBY, with a new, hipper self-serve model to compete with new chains like Pinkberry? Starting the business: Quitting a steady job during historically bad economic times was one of his main worries. But his wife still works full-time from home, and Batt supplements his TCBY income by managing operations for his stepfather's company, which sells textiles to the government. "We definitely had concerns," Batt said. His wife's job helped with insurance, though. With the help of several local investors and his savings, Batt cobbled together TCBY's starting requirement of $100,000 cash and approached the company to see if they wanted to go for his prototype. Highs and lows: The unpredictability of retail sales can be stressful, Batt said, but that's also one of his favorite parts of the job. "Even on the hottest and sunniest day, you can't promise you're going to have the sales," he said. "I think I like that. It keeps me one my toes, and challenges me." And the best thing about Batt's new job: "We're doing well, expanding, and I'm able to sleep in my house at night." His advice: "You've got to love what you're doing and what you're selling," Batt said. The Charlotte Observer By Ely Portillo