According to the Associated Press, residents of Utah, Hawaii and Wyoming top a new “happiness” poll designed to measure people’s well-being.

The massive poll, conducted by Gallup with Healthways and America’s Health Insurance Plans, involved more than 350,000 interviews, rating variables such as mental, physical and economic health. It examined eating and exercise habits, work environments and access to basic necessities. Examples of the questions included: Did you smile or laugh a lot yesterday? Are you satisfied or dissatisfied with your job or the work you do? Did you eat healthy all day yesterday? Do you feel safe walking alone at night in the city or area where you live?
 
The highest well-being scores generally came from states in the West, while the lowest were concentrated in the South. The bottom three states were Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia.

For more info,  http://www.gallup.com/poll/116497/Rankings-Reveal-State-Strengths-Weaknesses.aspx#1

LIHUE, KAUAI – Sleeping Giant Sotheby’s International Realty today announced that the Sotheby’s International Realty brand was ranked second on Franchise Times’ Fast 55 list, a ranking of the fastest-growing franchises.
 
“We are so honored that our efforts to build this luxury real estate brand over the last five years have been recognized,” said Michael R. Good, president and chief executive officer, Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC.  “When we began franchising in 2004, we had 15 company-owned offices.  Today, we have grown to more than 500 Sotheby’s International Realty® franchised offices globally. Our network is made up of some of the most talented and knowledgeable real estate professionals in the world.”
 
The Fast 55 list is compiled based on FRANdata research and is published by Franchise Times.  According to the publication, in order to make the Fast 55 list a franchise company must meet two criteria: they must be a brand that has been franchising for five years or less and they must exhibit positive franchise unit growth for each year during this period.
 
The Sotheby’s International Realty® network currently has more than 10,700 sales associates located in more than 500 offices in 39 countries and territories worldwide.