A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to spend some time with my wife's family in France. One evening my niece, who is currently a college student, asked me, ‘What is the American Dream’?  She had a paper that was due in a week on ‘The American Dream’ and wanted my thoughts. Interestingly...

Twice a year I attend a franchising conference where I have an opportunity to meet with hundreds of franchisors, learn the newest trends in franchising, and reconnect with old acquaintances. Last month the conference was in Saint Louis, and it is amazing how franchising is evolving. Key Takeaways Op...

A couple months ago my good friend and co-author of The Franchisee Playbook, Britt Schroeter, shared an interesting take on the passage of time.  Britt, and her husband Bill, have been traveling around the United States for a couple years now while Britt works from the RV.  Britt and Bill are livi...

Once a year I am fortunate to be invited to attend the Leadership Florida conference.  It is an amazing gathering of leaders from across the State of Florida.  As well as reconnecting with a group of amazing people that I feel truly fortunate to be associated with, the event attracts a cadre of am...

The study we have all been waiting for is finally published and available for review!  The original research is titled Determinants Impacting Resale Premium Disparity when Selling a Small Business: A predictive Non-Linear Approach.  By Dr. John Hayes, Dr. David Smith and Dr. Mary Kay Copeland. Som...

People say - Practice what you Preach.  Well, earlier this month I invested in a franchise.  This is not the first time I have been a franchisee.  Over the years, while continuing with my coaching practice, I have joined several franchise systems so you think the decision process would be easy, b...

When it comes to investing in a franchise, many people will tell you it’s a numbers game. How much will you invest? What is the return on investment (ROI)? Cash flow? Break-even? These questions make sense because the numbers are important. It’s only natural that potential franchisees want to en...

From time to time, as a franchise coach, I work with individuals who are perfectly positioned to become business owners. They have lots of money, no debt, great skill sets, likable personalities, and a true desire to break out of the employee mentality. However, at the end of the coaching process, s...

Lately I've been thinking about victories and successes. If you go on social media, visit with a friend, or watch your favorite sport, it's all about victory and success. On social media everyone talks about their kids getting ‘A’s, or, here in Florida, winning at Pickleball. Go to a cocktail pa...

The following has been attributed to The Dalai Lama.  I have not been able to verify the source but I like the message.  As you embark on on your journey into 2022, here are a few things to remember. _____________________ Instructions for Life by The Dalia Lama Take into account that great love an...