All Interviews

J.R. How did you get into the industry? My father was in dental supply sales with a large dealer and I followed in his footsteps, starting in dental supply sales then began in Dental IT in 1997 when digital imaging was in its infancy.  I saw an opportunity in the...

Jesse, how did you get into the industry? We took our experience and skill sets and wanted to go into a growing market that gave an experience rather than a product. We had the vision to create a place of wonder and excitement for both adults and children. After...

How did you get into the industry? Worked in Pizzerias in Highschool then continued into higher-end restaurants to find me in culinary school at The Culinary Institute of America. I found myself working in the industry for other industry leaders when I decided I would...

How did you get into the industry? My story is unlike the typical fitness studio owner. Around 2016 I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia which caused me to have extreme joint pain. My doctors told me that exercise may help decrease my pain, so in light of that, I joined...

How did you get into the industry? I started in the ad biz in 1997. I was actually still in college but remember watching Superbowl ads and thinking, “my God, someone gets to make this stuff up for a living.” I then read an article about how an agency copywriter made...

Urvi, How did you get into the industry?  I am an industry veteran with over a decade of experience in jewelry. After discovering a void of affordable, fashionable and high-quality jewelry while shopping for my own wedding, I launched my bridal accessories brand,...

How did you get into the industry? I first started in the food and service industry due to a passion for cooking for others. As my interest in cooking delicious foods for others grew, I found fulfilling satisfaction in knowing that the food I created would be enjoyed...

How did you get into the donut industry? The East Coast is lacking in quality independent doughnut stores. Dunkin is extensive in the area, but it has lost focus on doughnuts and most agree they taste or make you feel bad.  We provide freshly house-made organic...

How did you get into the industry Susan? I did gymnastics most of my life and was never happy in the corporate setting. I always wanted to open a gymnastics center and finally found a niche that was different from what other gyms were offering, so opened Spotlight....

How did you get into the industry? For years I’ve wanted to own a business that could provide for my family. I had my eye on a boutique concept and in 2016 that dream became a reality as we opened The Gibson Co. as a way to connect community, local artists, and lovers...

How did you get into the industry Ryan? I was working on a different startup/project and needed a side hustle to keep the project moving forward. Scooping dog poop came to mind. After some research into the pooper scooper industry, I exited the partnership of the...

How did you get started in the business Lysa? I had a holistic day spa in Los Angeles for several years and decided to open a metaphysical store because it was an untapped market in Florida and believed there was an opportunity to help people and help franchisees to...

How did you get into the industry? Ed Franklin and I got into food service quite accidentally back in 2006. We were living in Washington, Georgia operating a small antiques and interiors market. Our friend purchased a building across the street, renovated it and...

Suzanne, how did you get into the healthcare industry? The healthcare industry is something that I always knew I wanted to be a part of in my career. Now after 50 years in healthcare, I am so satisfied that I made that decision. Over the years, I have had so many...

How did you get into the industry Keith? 18 years ago, while teaching middle school math, we loved frequenting one of the early versions of self-serve frozen yogurt.  13 years ago, we decided to make the switch of careers and open the Cuppa Yo brand of this self-serve...

How did you get into the roofing services industry? Left labour-intensive lawn care business with a database of customers. I saw a need in the roofing industry and decided to start helping people in the roofing market and have been in the business now for over 18...

How did you get into the industry Valerie? In 2007 I started working for an agency that offered non-medical in-home care and placement services.  My role at the agency was to recruit caregivers and assigned the right caregiver to our clients needing in-home care.  In...

How did you get into the laser cleaning services industry? Having been in fields like powder coating where surface preparation is backbreaking, messy, and tedious work I thought there must be a better solution. My business partner and I were brain-storming, and being...

How did you get into the industry? I got into the industry after a bunch of guys at the gym would always ask me for fitness advice. I remember one guy saying “Bro, I would pay you to train me, you’re in better shape than all the trainers here.” So I figured, hey why...

How did you get into the industry? Cristina has been working as a program director and/or area lead in the field of Youth Sports, Summer Camp and After School Programs for the past 20 years. Naturally, the next step would be to open her own business. What’s New in the...

How did you get into the industry?  From a very young age in Venezuela, I already worked in the world of sports camps for children. Due to the critical situation in my country, I decided to emigrate to the United States, seeking a safer life with better quality. With...

How did you get into the beauty services industry? While in college for nursing, I did everyone’s makeup and brows in my dorm room. During my undergrad years, I realized that I was not truly passionate about a nursing career. Knowing I was not going to continue school...

How did you get into the children's entertainment industry? As a kid growing up in the 80s, I frequented the local arcades and mini-golf courses in Eastern PA every summer. In 2005, my wife and I started what would quickly become the largest youth flag football league...

How did you get into the industry?  Passion is obviously the main reason that got me into the automotive industry. I’ve always been passionate about cars and my dream was to create a business in that area. In 2016, after a few failures with other brands over the...

How did you get into the industry? A: My first company, Video Tutor, Inc. produced and sold prerecorded educational media, including VHS and DVDs, starting in 1986.  As that industry shifted, I changed my focus to the sale of flat-screen televisions to the hospitality...

How did you get into the industry?  I struggled with my own body image after giving birth. I had to find ways to get back in shape. I constantly exercised, changed my diet, but still couldn’t get the body I wanted. I sought out new ways to improve the body and found...

How did you get into the industry Chris? 25 years ago, I answered a help wanted to add that led me to be an installation technician within this industry.  The past 25 years has brought me to this place where it’s time to share my experience from just about every...

How did you get into the industry?  I’ve been in the industry for 13 years now. I’ve always been very entrepreneurial. I fell in love with the fitness industry because it was something I was already doing since I grew up an athlete. As an athlete, I was always working...

How did you get into the industry? I have been a Brick-and-Mortar gym owner for 30 years. I ventured into my AWATFIT FITNESS TRUCK merely for fun. Achieving great success and very large margins, I decided to franchise. Let’s discuss some challenges that you’ve faced...

How did you get into the industry? I first started in the industry in 2005, almost 18 years ago. I started with a Service Master location in Columbia, South Carolina. We worked water, fire, and mould jobs with the company where I began to grow a solid foundation of...

How did you get into the martial arts industry? I started training in martial arts, like most, after watching The Karate Kid. Seeing the transformation in Daniel from a meek, unconfident kid to a positive, strong, competent young man was the hook for me. Martial Arts...

How did you get into the industry? Back in 2009, Precise Translation was born after finding a growing need for translation services in the local pharmaceutical market. It started out as a side business, but it quickly became our main focus. We grew from word of mouth...

How did you get into the franchise industry? I first started out in sales in 2005 and grew from there. By 2012, I found myself in the franchise industry working as a consultant. I loved everything about the franchise development process and wanted to take a more...

How did you get into the industry?  I was the Vice President of an Insurance agency for 23 years, but I've always loved to travel and cook. I decided to research food trucks, which I did for a period of about 2 years — finally, I dove in! I decided on grill cheese as...

How did you get into the industry? My life with fashion began when I was a young girl, growing up on the counter of my Grandmother’s consignment store, The Treasure Chest. Having her and a single mother raise me, I was surrounded by a strong, fearless, creative and...

How did you get into the industry? In 1991 I saw an ad that said $100 a day for carpet cleaners.  Been in it ever since and have grown the local business here in Virginia Beach to 7 figures. What’s New in the Business or in the Franchise Model? Technology keeps...

How did you get into the industry? In 2016 I purchased solar for my home. I found it was one of the best purchases I had ever made, both financially and environmentally; it just felt good. So that's when the journey began. I started looking more into the business of...

How did you get into the industry? I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Physical Education from Middle Tennessee State University. I was a Physical Education teacher for 10 years and I knew that was not the profession for me. I was asked to coordinate a...

How did you get into the industry?  It was 2005, the Real Estate market was booming. I had gotten back from Afghanistan and Iraq in 2004 and I was then in college studying economics. I knew that real estate was the right thing for me and would use my economics...

How did you get into the industry?  I was Director of sales at a company called Tactician. There, I worked with several big companies. They taught me how to use business mapping in franchising. I worked with co-workers who created territories and sold sites. I also...

How did you get into the industry?  For years I worked in the restaurant industry. I've been within several different positions and learned more and more about each as I went. I launched Hippo Burgers based on this industry wisdom and high standards for a great menu....

How did you get into the industry? Jaime and I met and fell in love in high school. She was a freshman and I was a senior.  I knew when she graduated I wanted to marry her so I went into an electrical apprenticeship in Des Moines.  The apprenticeship was 5 years long,...

How did you get into the industry?  My journey into this amazing industry began at Empire Beauty School State College and dove right in 2011 at Aafusion Spa Salon as their lead aesthetician. I continued honing my skills and learning as much as I could about the...

How did you get into the industry?  I first started juicing in my kitchen, selling juice cleanses for people — I saw the demand for the juice quickly! In 2012, I came up with the name for my first successful concept, Pure Raw Juice. After quitting my job I successful...

1. How did you get into the industry? JN: This was almost 15 years ago now. I had an awful injury — just an awful injury with a large mirror. It was a mess. I severed my main artery, four tendons, and I needed multiple blood transfusions. I started doing physical...

1. How did you get into the industry? I got into the industry after researching solutions for my spouse and grandparents who had joint pains and were not fans of running. This was when I discovered the health benefits of infrared heat therapy and how it is truly the...

How did you get into the industry?  I was first interested in the industry from a participation standpoint, building my way up through the years. I loved not only the physical aspect of the practice, but the mental as well. I eventually wanted to create a space where...

How did you get into the industry?  My husband and I are native New Yorkers and although our childhoods had some sour and life-changing losses, we could both find joy in visits to our local corner store. If you are not from the city, you may not know that corner...

You might be doing everything in your power to keep the children in your life healthy. But have you thought about whether or not the car seat they are riding in is bacteria-free? CEO and Founder of BuckleBath Lauren Siclare created a service to help parents,...

How did you get into the industry?  I fell in love with the foodservice and hospitality industry when I first started working for Marriott at age of 16. After completing my studies in Hospitality and Hotel Management, I bought a Subway, which was my first experience...

How did you get into the industry?  Having been a professional dancer I have always had a deep appreciation for feeling, listening and enjoying music.  However, it was in 1996 when I was trying to reduce my stress as a top sales executive and dealing with some...

We were researching ways for our own family to get outdoors more in a new and creative way.  We have one who loves camping and one who prefers nice hotels, and this seemed like the perfect compromise. We saw a need in the market for this for other families and friends...

Mai had background in banking while, David had a background in 10 years of aerospace engineering. When Mai heard about eyelash extensions, she immediately got into the lashing industry due to the fast growing of demand for beauty. After 4 years of dedications and...

How did you get into the industry? From 2000 to 2009, I raced professionally — and successfully — in the FIA World Touring Car Championships and FIA European Touring Car Championships where I finished second in 2006. During this time, I represented and raced...

How did you get into the industry?  It all started years ago when I experimented with different recipes to improve the taste of fried chicken. After adding my improved Nashville style chicken to my restaurant’s menu, long lines started to form; It was then when I...

How did you get into the industry? I grew up in NE Ohio where my parents would occasionally go to the flea markets on weekends and sell items to supplement their income.  I became interested in the value of ‘second hand’ items and young age to make extra money.  I...

How did you get into the industry?  I am a motivational speaker, business consultant and author of multiple books. I have been in this specific industry for 9 years now. Tell us about your franchise model. We are a step above the rest cleaning company seeking to raise...

How did you get into the industry? It was 2009, I was over 4,000 miles away from my home country in Europe, living in Washington D.C. I worked in different service industries.  After I got married, my wife and I felt that God was calling me to start something...

How did you get into the industry?  It started my sophomore year of high school where I became a medical assistant. From there I began working in nursing homes, hospice, and emergency rooms. While doing this I realized I wanted to be in a more positive environment on...

How did you get into the industry?  I was in business with needs for on-demand shipping. I associated often with businesses often needing things shipped quickly. This is how the idea for GO4ER began. GO4ER allows new and existing couriers to increase their capacity...