It all started with a lawnmower on my 12th birthday from my Dad, who said "Happy Birthday...now go earn a living". I did, and transformed his words into a thriving landscaping business which I had into my college years. At 15 I was introduced to the restaurant business and fell in love with the concept of serving others, which ultimately led to a passionate career spending the last 20+ years in a variety of roles supporting hundreds of Franchisees around the World successfully start and grow their businesses.Highlights:• Led the development and opening of the first International store for the Brand, specifically overcoming all the first time challenges (culture, distribution channels, etc.)• Developed a strategic team of key departmental experts to collaboratively create a formal structure for International expansion and ongoing support, including the launch of the Brand into Canada, Mexico, the Middle East and SE Asia, all while maintaining additional responsibilities for a full Domestic Region as a Domestic Franchise Business Consultant.• Successfully managed 75+ million dollar market (55 franchisees and 135 stores) by inspiring and coaching business owners/managers on ALL aspects of their business: sales/profitability, operations, growth, finance, marketing, training, and personnel. The result was sales growth that consistently beat system averages.• Developed innovative combination of 1-on-1 meetings, committee meetings and group retreats to analyze markets and develop Market Business Plans, resulting in more unified markets. For example, under my leadership, Minneapolis DMA was a Top 10 market for sales growth 6 years in a row.• Directly accountable for 50+ new stores, 15 relocations and 18 saves, resulting in the addition of 25+ million dollars of sales annually, PLUS groomed dozens of candidates for placement across the system.• Drove the completion of a 17-store Development Agreement for Mexico - the largest Development Agreement ever for the Brand• Due to operational experience / expertise in all areas of store development (sales, real estate, construction and design, etc.), I was asked to take on responsibility for all new store openings (external candidates) for the entire US, taking candidates from application to store opening.• Fun tidbits = My career has also included being a Karaoke MC, a hot-shot airfreight truck driver, and a conductor on a freight train with Union Pacific!!