Have you ever stood in the cereal aisle, overwhelmed by 47 different breakfast options, only to walk away with nothing? That's exactly what's happening to aspiring business owners every single day. Here's a counterintuitive truth I've discovered after helping many entrepreneurs find their perfect franchise match: More options don't create more freedom, they create paralysis. […]
August 22, 2025 When most people think "franchise," they picture expensive storefronts, massive overhead costs, and popular brands like McDonald’s. But here's what I've discovered after helping dozens of entrepreneurs make the leap to franchise ownership: the most profitable franchise opportunities often have the smallest office space requirements. Let me show you why home-based franchises […]
I've been playing pickleball for a while now, and recently I realized something: This sport has taught me more about the transition from employee to business owner than any career counselor ever could. Let me explain why this matters for anyone considering franchise ownership. Pickleball is played on a court that's about a third the […]
Last week, someone asked me what's the one piece of advice I always share with my daughter. My daughter is an actress - a talented and successful one who's done Chicago theater and recently moved to LA to chase bigger opportunities. It's a tough industry. One day you're starring in a production, the next day […]
23 years ago, I lost everything. I used to import Italian ceramics for a living. For ten years, I had what looked like a dream business from the outside. I got to travel to Italy regularly, enjoyed incredible food, and met wonderful people along the way. But here's the truth: the business just "struggled along" […]
Growing up, my dad was incredibly successful. He owned a dry cleaning shop, a liquor store, and a meat market. These businesses put me through college and gave our family a great life. But there was one thing that always stuck with me: Dad did everything himself. He was the boss, so he handled every […]
He had spent nearly a decade building a well-regarded consulting business. Respected in his network. Always busy. Seen as a success. But behind closed doors, the story was different. Despite his professional image, he confessed something to me that few are willing to admit: He wasn’t hitting the financial benchmarks he’d set for himself. And […]
July 11, 2025 Most professionals I meet have followed the same playbook their entire careers. Land a solid corporate role. Work hard. Climb the ladder. Repeat. And honestly? This approach works beautifully for many people - until it doesn't. Here's what no one talks about in corporate America: every ambitious professional eventually reaches a ceiling. […]
Think McDonald's means money? Think again. When most people think of "franchise investment," their minds immediately jump to the big names: McDonald's, Subway, Dunkin'. But here's what happened when two of my clients ignored the flashy brands and followed my assessment process instead... Mike and Jeff came to me with the typical franchise mindset. They […]
The most successful franchise owners I work with aren't necessarily the ones with the most business experience. Instead, they were executives turned business owners. What set them apart was how they approached franchise ownership with the right strategy and the right mindset. After helping many corporate professionals transition into successful franchise ownership, I've identified five […]
Here’s the ugly truth: 80% of independent business startups fail within their first five years, according to the Small Business Administration. That's not just a statistic – it represents thousands of shattered dreams and depleted savings accounts. But here's where it gets interesting: Over 80% of franchise businesses are still operating after five years. Not […]
March 7, 2025 Every day, I speak with talented professionals who tell me they want financial freedom—but they can't let go of their "stable" jobs to pursue business ownership. The irony? What feels like security is often the biggest risk of all. Did you know that 1.6 million employees were laid off in the US […]
I need to tell you about my first business. Not because it was successful. It wasn't. Not because I made smart decisions. I didn't. But because that "failure" might be the most valuable thing that ever happened to me. Here’s the Setup On paper, I was prepared to run a business. I'd grown up in […]
