Business Ownership Advisors - Consultant

Marilyn is masterful at what she does. Part art, part science, her approach can’t be replicated. Marilyn invested the time to get to know me, my needs, wants and vision for my future. With that information she helped to clear clutter presenting me only with best fit brands. Her in-depth knowledge of the industry, franchise brands and what’s required to be a successful franchise owner helped me to realize a goal I wasn’t sure was possible. If I’m fortunate enough to purchase another franchise, it’d be absolutely necessary to have Marilyn once again shepherding me through the process.Rashonda Ambrose

I think it was divine intervention which led me to Marilyn. She helped me with the purchase of my first franchise back in early 2021. We immediately connected. Instantly I knew that we shared the same Christian moral character which is just not seen often enough in business these days. I cannot imagine going through that process without her. She not only provided me with a step-by-step process through the evaluation stage, start-up and beyond, but she also took a very personal interest in me and wanted to make sure that I found the right fit for me. That was very important to her through the whole process. And her knowledge, enthusiasm and energy are second to none. Marilyn and I have never actually had an opportunity to meet personally, but I feel as though I have known her for most of my life and consider her a true friend. Now that I have been successfully running my franchise for over a year and a half, I continue to have quarterly phone calls with her, not so much for business now, but rather for inspiration and just to catch up with what is going on in each other’s lives. Certainly, you have heard people in business say, 'It’s business, not personal', but to Marilyn her business is personal.Keith Gourges

It was June of 2020 on a Wednesday night, COVID was running crazy, and I felt like there was just more to life in regards to my family’s future and to provide for them long after I am gone. I was raised by business owners who told me at 18 to go to college which confused me like crazy but I did so, graduated in top of my class and to most, I have become very successful. Even though I have been successful I still felt my God-given talents were not fully being used, I was underpaid for my talents and it could all be pulled from me without any reason. Based on my family goals and my faith, there is only so far you can go with most companies, and I felt trapped. While on LinkedIn that night, I found Marilyn! In fact, I still have that message to this very day because it was such a relief. Within 7 minutes Marilyn responded to me. Within the next couple of days, Marilyn was able to give me hope and calm me down from a true depression of starting to believe that Corporate America message that I was only worth so much. Marilyn has been with us throughout the entire process, giving us her professional opinion taking into account mine and my wife’s strength and weaknesses. She is full service by taking the best business option and matching it up to who we truly are. In fact, Marilyn took extra time to get to know us instead of just throwing business concepts at us to see what we might like. She has personal relationships with the businesses she recommends and will never present a business she would not think aligns with her beliefs nor her clients. End of the day it is up to you but I would not take such a life-altering decision without a true leader like Marilyn. My Uncle once told me as a kid not to ever follow a man through a mine field that doesn’t have both legs. Marilyn is that person you cannot afford NOT to work with her to make sure this huge decision in your life. Trust me this is a life-changing decision needs an angel like Marilyn!Steve Dutton

Over the course of my career, I worked at several Fortune 500 corporations, and a few small, privately-held companies in between. Before leaving Corporate America a year and a half ago, I was a Marketing Executive. But I knew absolutely nothing about Franchising! I was introduced to Marilyn by one of my colleagues on our Marketing team. I never really considered franchising, as I didn’t know the first thing about it. Marilyn walked me through a comprehensive analysis, both financial and regarding my interests/disinterests, and presented me with several Concepts tailored just for me. But that was only the beginning! Marilyn walked with me throughout the entire process. From initial understanding and validation, through two discovery days with two different Concepts and during my due diligence period. Marilyn also forced ME (with some wise guidance) to make my own decision on which way to go, which was great! We definitely made the right decision and I’m very happy with the direction I took. To say Marilyn is excellent at what she does is an understatement. She is the quintessential professional franchise coach. She has many 'Marilyn-isms' – nuggets of wisdom and experience – that help guide one through the process. This is regarding both choosing the franchise, and making the most of the opportunity. Marilyn and I have become good friends over the past year and a half. She has stuck with me through Start up, Ramp up and now through Continuous Improvement. I highly recommend Marilyn’s professional services to anyone interested in joining a franchise.Mitch Urbytes