I just talked a client out of spending more money with me. Here's what happened: I'm working with a woman exploring a staffing franchise. She started by weighing two options: buy an existing territory or start fresh with a new one. Then, mid-conversation, she had what seemed like a brilliant idea: "Keith, why not do […]
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 […]
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 […]
As I look back on my journey from that nervous kid heading to Villanova to running a successful franchise consulting business today, I can see the thread that connects it all. It wasn't luck. It wasn't perfect timing. It wasn't even knowing exactly what I was doing. It was a pattern of choosing growth over […]
A viral mindset shift called the “October Theory” has taken off on TikTok, and it might just be the reset you didn’t know you needed. The idea is simple but powerful: It treats October as a “second New Year.” A natural time to reflect, reset, and realign before the chaos of the holidays and the […]
When I start working with a new candidate, something interesting happens. They come to me excited about franchise opportunities. They're ready to invest. They want to get started. Then I mention something that changes the conversation: "You can't just pick a franchise off the shelf and write a check. You have to be approved." Suddenly, […]
September 26, 2025 Most people chase success but very few define it. After helping countless professionals transition into business ownership, I’ve noticed a pattern: People are working hard, climbing the ladder, hitting their salary goals…yet still feel unfulfilled. Why? Because they never ask the one question that changes everything: "When I achieve my goals, what […]
Picture this: A successful business owner, Chamber of Commerce leader, and pillar of his community. By all appearances, he had everything figured out. But behind closed doors, something was missing. He'd built a business that looked great on paper, but the fire was gone. The financial returns weren't what he'd hoped for. And that excitement […]
Last week, I was sitting in my office, looking at photos from my journey: The kid heading off to Wharton, the entrepreneur who built his first business from nothing and now, the franchise broker helping others build their dreams. That’s when it clicked. The one thing that separated every breakthrough moment from every missed opportunity […]
September 5, 2025 Here's something that might surprise you: The biggest barrier to franchise ownership isn't money, experience, or finding the right opportunity. It's fear. I see this pattern every single week. Successful executives who can navigate complex corporate politics and lead teams, yet they freeze up when it comes to taking control of their […]
There were years my business underperformed. And I still took home more than I ever did in corporate. That surprised me at first. Then I started doing the math and it all made sense. Here's what most 9 to 5ers never stop to consider: you're not just trading a paycheck for a business when you […]
Ask any small business owner what keeps them up at night, and you'll hear the same answer over and over again. It's not cash flow. It's not marketing. It's not a competition. It's people. Finding them. Training them. Keeping them. Employee turnover is the silent profit killer for small businesses. Every time someone walks out […]
What if the only thing standing between you and business ownership is the wrong mental model of what a business looks like? When you picture "starting a business," what comes to mind? A garage startup. A blank-page business plan. Sleepless nights figuring out everything from scratch — completely on your own. No wonder so many […]
