Joe Richardson discovered the benefits of pursuing business ownership when he participated in Career Ownership Coaching™ with The Entrepreneur’s Source®. Richardson spent his career in both the private and corporate world in sales and sales management. Most recently as a regional sales manager for a national wholesaler. Despite finding satisfaction and success in the corporate world, Richardson wanted to achieve financial freedom and self-sufficiency by taking charge of his career trajectory through business ownership. “I was looking into starting my own company, and I had a couple of ideas I was kicking around when I started my journey with The Entrepreneur’s Source. I started talking with my coach, Jodi Oren, and over many conversations, we looked into options and explored my goals,” Richardson revealed.
Finding a New Path Forward
Career Ownership Coaches™ at The Entrepreneur’s Source®, the nation’s largest coaching organization, provide personalized coaching for people looking to transition out of their current career. TES coaches help people determine if they want to find a new job, pursue a business opportunity through franchising, or open their own business. Franchising isn’t just coffee and French fries. It spans a wide variety of industries with many business models that can even be operated from a home office. Franchising allows business owners to operate a proven business model with the training and support they need to succeed.
Not 6 Degrees of Kevin Bacon
With a background in sales, Richardson knew he would be able to use his skills to build relationships and a solid customer base. Determining his Income, Lifestyle, Wealth and Equity™ goals with his coach, enabled him to chart a new course. Career ownership coaching revealed he wanted to own a business with year-round opportunities and not be chained to his desk during Iowa’s prime summer months. In addition, Richardson wanted to operate a business with multiple revenue streams that allowed him to build solid business-to-business relationships with companies in his home state. “Iowa is a small state. In Iowa, it’s not six degrees of Kevin Bacon, it’s more like two degrees. I wanted to have a business that had recurring sales. I didn’t want my business to be one and done,” Richardson said. “As long as we’re professional and do a good job, specializing in business-to-business customers allows me to forecast earnings and determine reciprocal and recurring sales.”
Giving Family Reassurance
While Richardson had a successful career and built a nest egg, he did not come from a wealthy background. His father was a truck driver, and his mother was a daycare provider. Franchising allowed Richardson to pursue his dreams of business ownership with less risk and gave his family the reassurance they needed for him to strike out on his own path. “Franchising is a proven method, and business that has the resources there for people to profit.  My wife went to training with me and was able to see that the franchisor was a well-oiled machine. There’s a lot of brainpower and knowledge behind what the franchise is all about.”
Richardson opened his Surface Experts of Central Iowa business in August, 2021 and is rapidly expanding his client base. Surface Experts specializes in repairing small damage on hard interior surfaces, including countertops, floors, cabinets, bathtubs, sinks and appliances.
Finding the Right Business
Richardson credits his TES coach with helping facilitate his journey to business ownership. “She had a sincere approach to helping me navigate and find the right business that I would be able to make successful.” Oren remembers when Joe got clarity about the business model. “While Joe was riding along interviewing another owner, they went on a client call. During that conversation, Joe chimed in and found himself helping sell solutions that saved money and time for that client. I remember Joe saying, he almost apologized, but it felt so natural. As I recall, they landed that client.” Joe was in the business at that point. Oren added, “Joe is a humble, thoughtful leader, a solution provider and a family man. He saw an opportunity that fit his strengths, goals and family life, with a clear road to success.”
Oren started her coaching journey with TES after a long history of helping people navigate career transitions. One of her previous companies endured a large downsizing. Oren was tasked with offering career counseling to hundreds of people who had lost their job. “We created a safe, nurturing and encouraging space where many figured out who they were outside of the previous corporate identity.” Oren reflected that today she has so much more to offer clients as a TES coach with an extensive network. “My clients continue to amaze me with their openness to learn something new. It’s a privilege to witness their stories of transformation. This journey is not just about achieving business ownership. This is about an individual’s growth and stepping into who they’ve been preparing to be all along.”
Finding the right business model is part of the journey. That’s why TES Coaches journey with clients to help them find clarity and launch their dreams. A franchise business model provides franchisee owners a foundation from which to build their success. “There are many industries and business opportunities available with a franchise model as a supportive option to launch a business.” Oren added. “As a coach, it’s a joy to journey with clients and rewarding to see their strengths and character shine through the right business. Joe Richardson knew deep down what he wanted. With his wife, Jenny, beside him and a franchise system, he launched that dream.” You can check out Surface Experts of Central Iowa.
Discover a New Future
If you are ready to discover your new future, visit The Entrepreneur’s Source® to learn more. Work with a global network of hundreds of Career Ownership Coaches™ to find a new path and check out the guide book, “Your Career 2.0®: A Survival Guide for The Battered Career and Investor Syndrome®.” |
