Go To The Source: What Am I?

In the 1990s, there were more of these opening up than shopping malls. Popularity for this past-time increased as the economy was soaring. Celebrities were doing it, bringing a whole new feel to the endeavor. As stress increased at work and at home, the number of participants swelled to millions. Demand was strong, the stock market was strong and people were spending with confidence. Then Sept. 11 hit and, although there was still growth, the economy began to slow down.

One expert explained that, “We had growth—not because of what we offered, but because we created an oversupply. It’s typical in any business to have cycles of expansion and contraction.” Participation continued to rise, although not at the rate industry insiders projected.

Another expert offered this analogy, “In the fast food business, there are hundreds of thousands of fast food restaurants. If one of those establishments closes, it doesn’t mean that fewer people are eating hamburgers. Maybe the owners were good at business but picked the wrong location; maybe they were good with real estate and bad business people.”

Today, insiders predict another year of negative net growth in the industry before supply can match the demand. However, owners are not viewing the reduction in the number of businesses as a detriment to the industry, but rather as a part of a weeding-out process that will bring the industry back to balance. Now the pendulum can swing back the other way, which is why the decrease is seen as a positive, not as a negative.

Now … name that industry.