I started my career as a high school math teacher. Pregnant with my second child I wanted to be in charge of my schedule and work/life balance. I knew I wanted to own my own business but I didn't have an idea, a skill or a product. I didn't even know franchising was an option until I took my daughter into a franchised children's hair salon. After months of research I bought the existing franchise store and opened two more within the first year of ownership. There are currently eight stores across the Wasatch Front. Because of this success and the desire of the original franchisors to retire; my husband and I bought the franchise concept in 2014 and are now the franchisors. The franchise industry has changed my life. I currently volunteer my time with SCORE to help other small business owners achieve their dreams. SCORE is a non profit organization under the SBA who offers free counseling for the life of your business. I continue this free counseling by offering a personal franchise assessment survey, giving clients 14 pages of information about what franchises would best suit their motives and goals. Being a franchisee and a franchisor has given me the ability to have many contacts within the franchise industry. I am grateful to have the opportunity to help match people with franchise opportunities in Utah through education and research.