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 safety, even when I didn’t feel ready.
Let me share what I learned along the way, because these lessons may just shift how you think about your next step.
My first real leap wasn’t dramatic, it was just a decision to go away for college.
Villanova University. Far from home. Far from comfortable.
Most people don’t think of college choice as a defining moment, but for me, it was. I chose opportunity over familiarity.
That decision taught me something early: when you choose growth, you become someone different.
After Villanova, I landed what most people would consider a safe career, solid job, stable income, a clear path forward.
But I enrolled in Wharton for my MBA anyway. That choice opened doors to corporate roles at Procter & Gamble, Nabisco, and Kraft. Each move was an investment in my ability to grow and reach the next level.
This was the decision that changed everything.
I walked away from corporate life to launch my first business.
Here’s the truth: I wasn’t fully prepared.
I had grown up in small family businesses. I had a Wharton MBA. I had Fortune 500 experience. But nothing prepared me for the day-to-day reality of running a business.
I made a thousand mistakes. Stayed too long. Lost money.
But even then, I wasn’t the same person. That business became my training ground.
Next, I launched a recruiting firm and ran it successfully for nearly 20 years.
The knowledge compounded. The experience stacked. The confidence grew.
After selling the recruiting firm, I considered retiring. But I couldn’t shake the feeling there was more I wanted to do.
I explored franchise opportunities and in the process, discovered my current path as a franchise broker.
With 20 years of recruiting experience, it was a perfect fit.
And honestly? I’m more successful now than I’ve ever been.
Because every step, even the ones that felt uncertain, prepared me for this one.
Here's the pattern I see clearly now:
Choosing growth doesn’t always guarantee success.
But it always builds something invaluable - the courage, experience, and clarity to take the next step.
Sometimes the risk is small, like going away to college.
Sometimes it’s bigger, like walking away from security to build something of your own.
But each time you choose growth, you expand your capacity for what’s possible.
If something is stirring inside you right now…
If you’ve been thinking about business ownership or buying a franchise but fear has held you back…
If you’re successful on paper but feel like something is still missing…
Maybe it’s time to choose growth again.
You don’t have to do it alone. That’s the beauty of franchising, you’re investing in yourself with a proven system backing you up.
What’s the next step you’ve been putting off, and what would it look like to explore it with support instead of fear?
Let’s hop on a quick, no-obligation call.
In just 15 minutes, I’ll help you explore franchise opportunities that align with your skills, goals, and the life you want to build.
Click here to schedule your call now – spots are filling up fast!
Best regards,
Keith
