In 1985 Kevin left his full time job to follow his dream of being an entrepreneur. He started a sports fan gift store in a local mall and called it Pro Image. It was so successful in the first few months that he decided to franchise the concept. Within 18 months there were 32 stores, and after nine years he had grown the mall-based franchise chain to 250 stores in almost every state in the U.S. and in six countries. As president of Pro Image, Kevin was responsible for overseeing the opening of all the stores and ensuring their success.
After selling the Pro Image franchise chain in 1994, Kevin then co-founded a successful food franchise chain called Nacho Fast, of which he was the CEO for three years. He helped build the business to 20 stores in eight states and three countries. After the sale of Nacho Fast he then helped develop a children's photography store called Sadie’s. Sadie’s is a very successful chain of five stores that do creative children’s portraits. Kevin then purchased three freight shipping franchises in Las Vegas, Nevada called United Shipping Solutions. Within two years he had taken these new franchises from zero monthly revenue to making them very successful and one of the top franchises in the company. He sold the franchises and Kevin moved back to his home state of Utah and decided to expand on his consulting business.
Kevin has been inducted into the Entrepreneur Hall of Fame in Phoenix, Arizona. In 1990, Inc. Magazine and the big six accounting firm Ernst & Young awarded Kevin the Entrepreneur of the Year for the Rocky Mountain States Region.
For the last ten years Kevin has consulted many businesses and individuals about franchising. He knows what it takes to be a good franchiser and what it takes to become a successful franchisee. He loves being a franchisee consultant for FranChoice and providing some of his knowledge to those just starting a new business. You may reach Kevin at KOlson@FranChoice.com or by calling toll free at 888-296-1536.
