Nikki Zavradinos worked in global technology operations and led development teams at Mastercard for 15 years. When she ended up with a severance package, she decided to switch gears into business ownership. She started looking for businesses to buy in St. Louis and came across Local Handyman. By Kelsi Trinidad
Kevin McGrath spent 16 years in the oil and gas industry, but he always knew he wanted to own his own business. McGrath’s friend and colleague, Terry Roberts, had just decided to take a year off from his corporate job to recalibrate and discover what he would do next. Throughout that year, the two kept in touch and looked for an opportunity that fit them both. By Kelsi Trinidad
In May, we kicked off part one of our three-part series on life-work balance, featuring Alesia Viscont, CEO and President of FranServe, Inc. Visconti shared the inspiration behind the term “life-work balance” and why she made it a core value for FranServe. By Nancy E. Williams
Steve Smeal once worked as a corporate executive, but he admits he was always an entrepreneur at heart. “Even during my corporate years, I owned side businesses,” Smeal said. “In 2019, I transitioned fully into entrepreneurship and currently own several other companies that operate passively.” By Jessica Petrucelli
Is free really free? I mean you can take free public transportation or you could invest in a car! Yet free is free, right? Just because something is free doesn’t mean there aren’t costs. Free public transportation means you have to ride along with people you may not like. Free public transit means you’re on their schedule, not yours. Most importantly when you travel free, you’re limited on where and how far you can go! By Don Clayton
Veterans are often wondering what comes next after their time in service. For those with an entrepreneurial spirit considering business ownership, franchising is a great option to consider. Veterans and franchising make an excellent match – a business with systems and processes already in place, plus the network of support and recognizable brand behind them. By Wendy Kunz
Success in franchising starts when a founder creates a brand worth following. They establish a system that has a solid recognizable trademark, offering a value proposition for franchisees to invest in their own business. By Dawn Abbamondi
Donald M. Cepiel Sr., Principal of FranGPS, LLC, began his journey in franchising at just 16, landing his first job at McDonald’s. Like many teens, Cepiel balanced work with high school sports, even continuing with the company into his first year of college. His career grew rapidly until he was drafted, pausing his budding success to serve in the Army. Proudly fulfilling his service, Cepiel planned to return to McDonald’s once his tour was complete. By Rose Mango
Back when I was learning to drive in the late 1980s, to get from your starting point to your destination, you needed a road map. You could only get road maps at gas stations. Once obtaining a road map, you had to go through the process of unfolding it and reading all the fine print, hoping it was the latest edition. Talk about taking your eyes off the road! By Don Clayton
In today’s rapidly changing job market, many Americans find themselves frustrated with their current positions. Long hours, limited growth opportunities and a lack of control over their professional lives leave countless individuals yearning for something more fulfilling. For those aspiring to achieve the American dream of business ownership, franchising presents a compelling and accessible pathway. By Rose Mango