My corporate career was incredibly gratifying and fulfilling for the vast majority of my 26 years. I worked hard and was fortunate to rise to a senior position within an organization that started as privately held and later went public. With each successive role, I gained greater responsibility and compensation, but the demands began to take a toll, especially on my work-life balance with a wife and three children. I considered taking a lower-level position at another company, even with significantly less pay, but then thought, “Why not work for myself?”

Up until that point in my career, I had been fairly risk-averse, but I finally gained the confidence to move forward with my first business by partnering with a franchise that was a great fit for me.

Growing up in a working-class family, I saw my father work hard for 40 years in a manual labor job, while my mother raised two boys. Their work ethic motivated me to apply myself in school, which led me to attend Washington & Jefferson College in the early ‘80s, where I earned my degree in Chemistry with a minor in Economics.

I began my career in an entry-level sales position in the chemical industry with a company that was later acquired by Procter & Gamble. I was fortunate to be part of an organization that invested in my development. While working at P&G, I pursued my MBA at Carnegie Mellon University on evenings and weekends, all while balancing a full-time job, frequent travel, and the challenges of being a new father. It was demanding but ultimately very rewarding.

After working for three organizations and gaining 26 years of experience, the time had come for me to become my own boss. By then, I had built up the capital, skills, and confidence needed to take this significant step in my career. My wife fully supported my decision.

I chose my first franchise carefully, selecting one that allowed me to leverage the skills I had developed in corporate life—sales, business development, mergers and acquisitions, a strong understanding of finance, and a work ethic that only intensified when I began building something for myself and my family.

Since then, I’ve owned multiple franchises across various brands and locations. I now also work as a franchise consultant, helping others navigate the process of business ownership and make informed, educated decisions. One of the aspects I enjoy most is helping others succeed—this is my “Why”! I’m confident that my experience and passion will be valuable as you explore franchise business ownership opportunities.