Entrepreneur Frank Bragg
Frank Bragg's Radial Cafe in Candler Park neighborhood
ATLANTA - While thousands of Georgians are still struggling to find a job, more and more have decided to create their own, by creating their own business.
"For a number of years I've wanted to have my own place and the timing just seemed right to go for it and do my own thing," said Frank Bragg.
After 20 years in the restaurant marketing business, he got his pink slip last year.
That's when he decided to finally start his own eatery.
He bought the Radial Café on DeKalb Avenue in Atlanta's Candler Park neighborhood.
Less than a year later, he's already expanding from just a breakfast and lunch menu.
"I've a double digit increase in sales over the last year," Bragg told 11Alive News.
"We just got our liquor license and added alcohol service; catering sales are up," he added.
What's more, he employs several more people.
"This is an example of necessity entrepreneurship; he needed to go out and create his own job," said Jim Beach.
An entrepreneur himself, Beach is co-author of a new book called "School for Startups".
It provides a road map for launching your own business.
Just published in June, the book is already headed for a second printing.
While creativity helps, Beach said the key to success is good execution.
Bragg had some severance pay and savings to help buy his restaurant.
But Beach added that you don't have to have a huge amount of cash to get started.
"You can take $5,000 and start a business that may generate $10,000 to $15,000 in the first year," Beach said.
"Well, that's your mortgage or your car payment and that's a business worth starting," he added.
Both Beach and restaurant owner Bragg say make sure to pick something you love doing.
"I think if you follow your heart and do what makes you happy, you can't help but be successful," Bragg said.