Doing What They LoveLA Boxing and Fetch! Pet Care gave 2 franchisees the chance to become business owners.

As a TV sports anchor, Richard Montaño struggled to find time to spend with his wife, Nicole, and their three young children. "You're always working," he says. "There's basketball season, baseball season, football season." But since they became LA Boxing franchisees in July 2007, it's boxing season all year long for the Montaños, both 35.

The Montaños had been members of the original location and loved its boxing, kickboxing and mixed martial arts classes. So when they found out the company had started franchising, they jumped at the chance to open a gym in Carlsbad, Calif., "if for no other reason than just to work out there," Richard says.