Back in Style

By now, Gilles Pichette should have had six WineStyles stores open from Manatee County to Marco Island.

But because of the sour economy, there are just two wine stores in Pichette's franchise territory. Celebrated as one of the nation's top franchises by Entrepreneur magazine just a few years ago, WineStyles retailers have felt the downturn in consumer spending like many others.

The lessons Pichette has learned are illustrative of the challenges all entrepreneurs face, namely that sometimes forces beyond one's control will alter even the best business ideas. How entrepreneurs respond to these unexpected challenges determine whether the business survives.