By some estimates, business franchises account for over 50% of United States retail revenues. Franchise firms may be found in a wide variety of industries, from fast food to carpet cleaning to financial services to junk removal. Whether you're in the market for a franchise or already own one, implementing a few tried-and-true principles can help you acquire a share of that revenue pie.

All small businesses start with something in common: they devour cash. They need cash for inventory, office space, insurance, legal fees, business licenses, remodeling costs, and the list goes on. Because very few start-ups can secure equity financing from venture capitalists, most business owners must get needed cash from a combination of personal assets and debt. If you're thinking about starting a small business, here's a short list of financing sources to consider:

You've spent years developing your business, building its value, enhancing its reputation. Now you're ready to move on. You place a "Business for Sale" advertisement in the Internet classifieds, and the next day an eager — overly eager — buyer approaches you with a deal that seems too good to be true. The buyer offers full price and wants to structure the deal as a stock sale. A stock sale means the buyer will get the entire business, including all its assets (cash, checking accounts, receivables, inventory and so on) at closing. The buyer doesn't ask tough questions about the firm and seems in a hurry to close the sale. He or she offers a 10% down payment and says the full balance will be paid off within a year.

Your business needs cash to survive. Manage cash well, and your company can sustain growth into a profitable future. Neglect it, and your firm may soon be selling inventory on the auction block.

As climbing energy costs continue to erode the profit margins of many small businesses, owners are again considering whether they should raise prices. But as Hamlet would say, "Ah, there's the rub." If you raise prices, you risk losing clients to competitors. If you don't, rising costs can capsize your company.

Your fledgling business has been plodding along, barely keeping its head above water, then wham! A fortuitous set of circumstances or a huge contract with a strategically placed customer suddenly skyrockets your firm to the forefront of the marketplace. Super! You've finally achieved success! Or perhaps your business is headed for the graveyard.