My first foray into franchising was back in the summer of 1984. We wanted to make a few bucks that summer, so my friend and I found some old wooden boards in his garage and hammered out a lemonade stand. We painted signs and sold our lemonade for fifty cents a cup. We were doing pretty well, and some of our other friends wanted in on the action. We built another stand, painted the same signs, same lemonade mix, and prices, we even helped them get set up. Our new partners opened up their stand a block away from ours, but on the other side of the street, this way we had both sides of the street covered. They did just as well as we did, and at the ripe old age of 10, I had my first experience in franchising. Oh, I forgot to mention, this all took place on Oak Street.
Entrepreneurship is in my blood. I started working as a kid in my family's business, a printing and design company, which my parents got into and still run to this day. I worked there after school, nights and weekends at the front desk, taking orders and making deliveries. The business is still going strong, more than 50 years later. While in college, I started my own Vending Machine business, which I eventually sold for a tidy profit. After that I joined corporate America working for large companies like Disney and Marriott. I have experience in both the corporate world and business ownership. I am well experienced in growing a business from the ground up, as well as buying and selling existing businesses, which I have done as well. These experiences provide a unique perspective that lends itself well to being a franchise consultant. I know what it takes to build a business and what it feels like to want to do your own thing, to be your own boss, to make your own schedule and to have the freedom to do it for yourself. And with franchising, not by yourself. I enjoy using these many experiences I have had to help people like you find the right business, so you can have financial freedom and fulfill the dreams for your life.
Whether it’s your dream business or a new addition to an ever growing portfolio, we’re excited to help you find the franchise that’s a perfect fit for you. Here on Oak Street, we want you to feel good about what you’re doing, the big decisions you’re making, and hopefully where the revenues will flow like lemonade. And just like we were there to help and support our friends on Oak Street, we’ll be there for you as you get started on your franchise journey. We look forward to helping you on this endeavor.