Franchise business is becoming increasingly popular in Vietnam as popular international brands are opening stores across the country following its accession to the World Trade Organization four years ago. Franchising is a business model that benefits both sides in a transaction for the entrepreneur.

A franchise offers an entrepreneur a quicker entry into a market with less risk, as well as the advantages of having a recognized brand name and professional training system. It is important for both franchise and franchisee to identify the right time and map out strategies to ensure success in the market, paying special attention to environmentally friendly products and corporate social responsibility. The franchise model is highly valued worldwide for its high effectiveness and low business failure rate. Only 5% of businesses in the franchising sector fail as compared to 65% that use other models.

A city ordinance in Nashville, Tennessee currently limits the kinds of work from home entrepreneur business that residents can conduct. The city is considering a proposal to amend the Metro code and zoning regulations in a way which would alter the city's home occupation ordinance and allow artists, photographers, seamstresses, lawyers, accountants, massage therapists, and piano teachers to all see clients in their homes and advertise their services with small outdoor signs.

Both of these things are currently prohibited under the law and this has been a major source of contention between entrepreneurs who desire the low overhead of working from home and some of their neighbors who are concerned about the commercialization of their streets. But the city looks to be taking the side of the entrepreneurs this time, acknowledging that the evolution of technology makes working from a home a trend of the future.

Participant Media is the closest Hollywood has gotten to a social entrepreneurship film studio. Famed social entrepreneur Jeffrey Skoll is the founder of Participant Media, but despite his great success in other areas he is having trouble turning the venture into a viable company.

After 7 years of existence, the studio is still having trouble sorting out whether a company that makes movies with a message can earn enough to justify its existence in a very competitive industry. "The Beaver" is Participant's latest picture, and it is undeniably a flop. The mental health-themed drama has got the star power of Mel Gibson in the lead role, yet it's taken in less than $1 million at the domestic box office and it cost $20 million to make. Despite accolades at the 2006 Oscars and films like "The Cove" and "An Inconvenient Truth" which later became winners, nothing from the company so far has approached blockbuster status.