Speaker Biographies
Marisol Cruz
Business Finance Depot
Marisol Cruz, experienced in securing funding in the start-up and franchise industries, provides financing to businesses across the US.
With a Master of Business Administration degree, coupled with previous experience in the personal consumer loans and automotive financing fields, Marisol leverages her knowledge to customize the right lending solution and streamline the application process.
Marisol’s mission is to help small business owners find opportunities to fulfill their dreams of ownership.
Chris Conner
Franchise Marketing Systems
Chris Conner has spent the last twenty years working in the franchise development field working primarily with startup and emerging franchise systems. Mr. Conner's work covers a variety of franchise categories including strategic planning, franchise operations, franchise training system development, franchise marketing and franchise sales. In 2009, Mr. Conner founded Franchise Marketing Systems based out of Atlanta, Georgia which today has grown to a team of 34 team members located in markets across the United States and Canada. Franchise Marketing Systems has developed over 700 franchise brands and supported clients in selling over 8,000 franchise units in North and South America, Asia, the Middle East, Canada and Southeast Asia. Franchise Marketing Systems has worked with a variety of well known brands and significant franchise systems including Baxter Healthcare, Anytime Fitness, Costco, Ford Motor Company, Delta Airlines, UPS Stores, European Wax Center, Junk King and others.
Mr. Conner’s vision was to develop a model that allowed for efficient, effective and performance based franchise development work to be completed for new and emerging franchisors. The combination of providing consulting and franchise development support along with the franchise sales and marketing model for new brands created more opportunities to more brands to scale and grow through franchising. Chris Conner holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Miami of Ohio and an MBA in Finance from DePaul University in Chicago. He is married to an amazing wife, Dr. Alaina Conner and has two great kids, Ashton and Jameson.
Lynne Shelton
Shelton Law & Associates
Ms. Shelton has been counseling Franchise / Business Opp. clients for over 25 years. She especially enjoys working with small business owners assisting them to "Expand their Brand®". Since starting the law firm, she has been focused on providing the “Missing Piece” with legal services to small and emerging businesses. Her business savviness combined with her belief in mentorship is the backbone of the law firms slogan, “Your Outsourced In-house Counsel”. Ms. Shelton focuses on ensuring clients are offered individualized service while handling Franchise Disclosures, registrations, legal creation and vendor distributions within a clients business. Ms. Shelton has published many articles and has even written a book. She has been married for over 25 yrs. and has one son and a sponsored daughter from Haiti. In her spare time she teaches leadership development in third world countries to future colleagues and volunteers at her church.
Randall Bennett
The Entrepreneur's Source
Randall Bennett has a unique career path with a wide breath of experiences that allow him to connect with his clients on a more personal level. His experiences working in corporate America as well as his time working for a small start-up company eventually led him to start his own business and then to its successful sale.
As a Business Ownership Coach at The Entrepreneur's Source, Randall seeks to leverage his expertise and past experiences to help individuals explore the possibilities of self-sufficiency and career ownership. He guides his clients through a journey of education, awareness, and discovery, helping them find the best fit for their goals, needs, and expectations. Randall’s mission is to help his clients build rewarding careers and take control of their lives.
Steve Bowles
Tenet Financial Group
Steve, a Texas native and Baylor graduate with a Business degree, brings 12 years of experience in the insurance industry, encompassing investments, sales, and claims. In 2011, he co-founded a business specializing in children's shoes. In 2014, Steve joined The Dwyer Group (now Neighborly), the world's largest parent company of 27 home service brands with 5000+ franchise owners across nine countries, as a consultant. There, he coached business owners in various aspects, including contracts, budgets, and marketing trends. After three years in financing, and assisting entrepreneurs with SBA loans, Steve joined Tenet Financial Group in September as a Senior Consultant, focusing on growing the SBA and vehicle/equipment lease program and enhancing the ROBS program. Outside of work, Steve is passionate about outdoor activities, construction, farming, and gardening. He also dedicates time to church, volunteering, and mission work, including providing medical services in Peru and participating in local prison ministry and aid efforts. Steve, married with two children, finds pride in his family and their achievements.
Sara Roy
The Entrepreneur's Source
Sara Roy is an accomplished Career Ownership Coach and Business Owner with The Entrepreneur's Source. She provides no-cost education, awareness and discovery services to people who are in career transition and have an interest in exploring entrepreneurship as a potential career path. The coaching experience begins with helping clients articulate their goals and lifestyle preferences for the future. She layers in education and resources on pathways that can help clients achieve goals, primary business fundamentals and funding options. Throughout their journey, Sara provides a safe space for overcoming emotional barriers and discovering the endless possibilities that entrepreneurship has to offer.
Andrew Ritterling
The Entrepreneur's Source
Andrew Ritterling is an experienced franchise coach and business owner with a Master of Business Administration. With his zeal for entrepreneurship, he provides a personalized coaching experience in a no-cost, no-pressure environment that allows clients to freely explore future possibilities at their own pace. In his signature process and you-focused approach, Andrew gives top tier guidance and support to clients navigating their career transition. He pairs his expertise with a wealth of unique tools and resources to help clients achieve their income, life, wealth, and equity goals.
Dave Woggon
Tenet Financial Group
Dave Woggon has been in the franchise industry since 1986 in both funding and franchise exploration roles. As the VP of Development for Tenet Financial Group, he oversees the consulting team and identifies strategic growth opportunities for the company.
Qwincy Houston
FranChoice
With 17 years in leadership spanning entrepreneurships and sales, I dedicate myself to improving lives. My career surpasses mere job titles, proving my commitment to adding value to everyone I meet, particularly in entrepreneurship and business leadership.
Driven to lead others beyond coporate limits and into entrepreneurships, I advocate for self-reliance through my vital partnership with FranchiseConsultant.io, helping match aspiring entrepreneurs with perfect franchise opportunities, thus faciliting their journey towards success and independence.
As an executive Director with the Maxwell Leadership Certified Team, I leverage extensive training under John Maxwell to guide Organizations and individuals to peak performance.