I grew up in a household where the entrepreneurial spirit was ever-present, deeply ingrained in our way of life. After serving in the U.S. Army and relocating to Florida, my father followed his passion for real estate, becoming both a realtor and a business owner. He and my mother ventured into a new chapter by purchasing a small gift shop on the beach, seeking to diversify their income and build financial stability for our family. It was during the weekends I spent helping in the shop that my own passion for entrepreneurship began to take shape.
As I continued my education, I witnessed a defining moment when a close friend made the bold choice to leave college and open what was then a relatively unknown franchise—Subway. Initially skeptical, I found myself inspired by his determination to forge his own path. Watching him grow into a successful multi-unit franchisee ignited my interest in the franchising world.
After earning my business degree, I made my own leap into franchising, opening my first franchise. Hard work and dedication paid off, and I soon became a multi-unit franchisee, earning the prestigious Franchisee of the Year award. I also had the opportunity to serve on several National Franchise Advisory Councils, collaborating with both franchisors and franchisees. This experience eventually led me to become a subfranchisor, or master franchisee, further expanding my knowledge and expertise in the industry.
I later transitioned into the corporate side of franchising, where I held senior roles, including VP and senior franchise consultant for leading international brands. Over more than two decades, I navigated corporate acquisitions, restructurings, and extensive travel, essentially living out of a suitcase. But throughout it all, the entrepreneurial drive never faded. I realized my true passion still lay in entrepreneurship, and I longed to regain control of my own destiny.
With this newfound clarity, I decided to leave the corporate world behind and return to my entrepreneurial roots. Today, my mission is to educate and guide aspiring entrepreneurs through the diverse and rewarding world of franchising. I am passionate about helping individuals find franchise opportunities that align with their career aspirations, financial goals, and lifestyle dreams.