November 11-12, 2023: Tampa Convention Center

With over 30 years’ experience in sales leadership, training, coaching, marketing, business development and senior level sales Chris has had roles that span Fortune 50 and entrepreneurial companies. His experience is in driving go-to-market strategy, business, channel and partner development, sales management and leadership, both domestically and internationally. He has lead sales and marketing teams, developed product launches and go-to market strategies for early-stage companies.

Chris’ strengths are implementing strategy through process improvement, coaching and leadership. As a consultant, Chris is a process-driven strategic thinker who excels at sorting through clutter to see the big picture and then simplify complexity.

Diane has been working in the pension industry/consulting/customer service areas for over 30 years. Currently assisting clients, lenders, brokers, and franchisors across the country find the best funding options for their business(es). One of the ways Diane has helped a majority of her clients, a specialty of Tenet Financial Group, is working with clients that have retirement funds. Diane helps educate her clients on the process of accessing those funds for a business.

Her experience at MassMutual Life Insurance in the Pension area provided an excellent foundation for her knowledge of 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plans. Diane worked in the Sensitive Plan Unit at MassMutual, handling administration, training, compliance, and customer service. Other positions Diane has held over the years include Senior Account Executive at CIGNA and Senior Project Manager for Robinson Consulting, a firm specializing in project management and customized software development in the healthcare industry. Diane is a Senior Consultant and has been with Tenet Financial Group since 2009.

Former gloval Oil & Gas manufacturing and service executive who turned to supporting others discover their path to career success through education, self-reflection, and the power of changing your mindset from dependent to self-sufficiency. Let's align your personal goals to your Income, Lifestyle and Wealth needs.

Career Ownership Coach

Former Global Oil and Gas Executive who now expowers clients go through a journet of self discovery. We focus on the helping people navigate a new mindset of career ownership through goal setting, education, awareness, aligning skills and finding their desired balance of income, Lifestyle, Wealth and Equity. Many time clients will learn of possibilities beyond what they ever imagined or dreamed possible.

Jenny is a franchise consultant and owner of FranNet of Greater Tampa Bay. Jenny consults people through the franchise discovery process. She works with them to identify if a franchise makes sense for them and helps them find the right one that will meet their professional and personal goals.

Jenny started with FranNet as a client who had a vision of owning her own business. When the opportunity presented itself to become a FranNet consultant, she jumped at the chance to help others become entrepreneurs by coming one herself. Prior to joining FranNet, Jenny spent more than 15 years in the Corporate Marking arena. She has a vast understanding of the franchise world since both of her formor employers were also franchise organizations. Jenny and her family currently reside in north Pinellas County. She is a rare Florida native and a proud graduate of the Universort of South Florida.

Scott has been an entrepreneur dating back to his teen years, where he started small businesses mowing lawns, raking leaves and shoveling snow. In his early twenties, he began a career with a major news organization as a cameraman for the White House Press Corp. Several years later, Scott could not ignore the calling of his entrepreneurial spirit, and so left the news industry to pursue a career in business. After 35+ years of experiences Scott has been a significant contributor in various senior leadership positions. Scott is a team player and recently utilized his expertise in development to help build a well-known national fast-casual concept. His tenure in franchising has landed him on leadership panels at several franchise conferences. Scott has also earned his certification as a CFE, Certified Franchise Executive. Scott’s major strengths include his listening skills, where he has the ability to tune in to what his clients’ needs are, and balance that with where their interests lie regarding a franchise business. He is exceptional at building relationships and earns the trust from his clients he needs to help them succeed. Scott truly believes that, “It’s all about my clients’ best interests, not mine”.

Tipton Shonkwiler is the Brand President for Accurate Franchising and also the President UFG Consulting Division. Tipton has been with United Franchise Group for more than 20 years. He has been working in the franchise industry for the past 30 years and has served in various capacities including franchise development, sales and marketing, international master license sales, international brand development, along with having the direct responsibility for the day to day operations for several UFG brands throughout his career. Tipton is a Certified Franchise Executive within the International Franchise Association and holds a Franchise MBA from Nova Southeastern University.

Avinash Nichkawde is an Entrepreneur, Chartered Accountant. International Business Consultant. He started his tax practice in Sydney Australia in 1993 and grew to 7000 clients in 4 years, he later went into International Education Business and at peak managed over 200 employees besides consulting to numerous small to medium companies over the years. He brings vast practical global experience to clients. Born & raised in India, Avinash is a Australian citizen having lived there for over 20 years and now residing permanently in USA, with travels to over 30 countries. He is known for providing out of the box practical solutions for his clients which are very cost effective. Avinash is Advisor to Second Street Capital and iMedGo,Inc, California.

Don Springer is the National Sales Manager for Capital Bank, N.A. Small Business Loan Team. In this role, Don and his team utilize decades of commercial banking and SBA lending knowledge to consult with small business owners, nationwide, to best obtain access to capital. Our team aims to understand each small businesses individual needs, and structure financial services products to meet those needs. Whether you are starting a business, seeking growth capital, purchasing equipment or owner occupied commercial real estate, or acquiring another business, Let's Talk SBA Lending!

Widely accepted as one of the top franchise consultants in the United States, Britton helps you figure out how to do what most people only dream about. ​Britton has spent more than 25 years as a franchisee, entrepreneur, franchise executive, and franchise consultant working for and owning franchises such as Kiddie Academy® Childcare Learning Centers, Molly Maid®, Sylvan Learning(SM) Centers, and SYNERGY® HomeCare.
​Britton has captured her franchise expertise as author of a top-selling book on entrepreneurship titled, The Franchisee Workbook. Britton will teach you the tools and techniques to help you find your ideal match far beyond your expectations.

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.

Faizun Kamal is an award-winning franchise growth advisor, nationally renowned public speaker & bestselling author. As CEO of The Franchise Pros, she leads a full-service franchise growth company.

Faizun and her team work with entrepreneurs to turn their business into the next iconic American franchise and grow their footprint nationwide. She guides CEOs to establish their franchise, grow it by recruiting high-performing franchisees, and guide them to a successful exit – helping them establish a legacy that outlives them. Her team also coaches clients on transitioning from employee to entrepreneur. Her best selling book, The Right Franchise for You: Escape the 9 to 5, Generate Wealth, & Live Life on Your Terms is the guide that thousands of clients have used to find their “perfect fit” franchise!