Norman Simmonds was making six figures in the investment banking world. Now, as the owner of a new PostNet franchise in Pelham Manor, he expects it to take up to two years to recoup his investment and make the business profitable.

But for Simmonds, a 39-year-old father of three in Norwalk, Conn., the change is already starting to pay off.

"The goal was having more control over my time," he said. "The investment-banking world often has 12-, 14-, 18-hour days."

As a senior compliance officer for Citigroup Asset Management in Stamford, Conn., he would often work from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Now, he has a little more time for his family. Ultimately, he would like to top the $100,000-plus salary he earned in banking while hiring more staff to cut back his hours and gain flexibility.  more >>