Sales success
led by industry experts

Michael Pollock is a franchise professional with passion for helping people achieve their career and personal goals through franchising. Having been a franchisee himself as well as working with many franchisors, Michael brings a unique perspective of first hand knowledge of what does and doesn't work within franchising. Michael is a frequent speaker at seminars and conferences on franchising, entrepreneurship, and small business ownership. He is also a licensed franchise advisor and is certified by the Franchise Center of Excellence in Dallas as well as The Franchise Center Certificate Program in El Paso. Michael has been used as an industry expert to facilitate roundtable discussions with the International Franchise Association (IFA). He has also earned the prestigious Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation with the IFA.

Michael has a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of California at Irvine. He is married with five children ranging from 18 through 26.

James is a driven and dedicated franchise development professional with 20+ years of experience. An avid entrepreneur himself, James has a passion for helping people follow their dream of business ownership.

For the past 13 years, James has had a Dynamic career in sales leadership, training, operational management, experience consulting and new business development. Consistently recognized for top performance versus goals in sales driven environments. A leader set out to make a difference in the franchise industry by building lasting relationships with franchisees focused on clear and honest communication.

James graduated from Michigan State University

Deora is a relentless perfectionist with extensive experience in strategic planning and execution, process improvement and optimization, financial planning and analysis. She helps companies set up and implement strategic finance and operational initiatives that improve processes, reduce expenses and drives revenue and EBITDA growth.

Kim is a sharply focused leader with a dynamic career in sales, marketing, management, and business development. Having managed businesses for both a franchisee and a franchisor, she understands each end of the industry.

As an accomplished athlete and leader, Kim has a pure determination to reach higher standards and overachieve. She has worked within competitive sales markets for companies like Nationwide and TITLE Boxing Club, as well as smaller local businesses and higher education. She has created a reputation for building successful teams and has performed in positions from top to bottom. More simply put, she in a natural born leader, extremely competitive, and constantly expanding her skill set.

Kim has a true passion to help others reach their potential, in order to thrive in their work and everyday life. She is aimed to develop relationships and help create customized strategies for our clients that will drive results and exceed goals.

Kim graduated from Indiana University and was an NCAA Academic-All American at IPFW on the Women’s Basketball Team.

Ewell Smith is the author of Your First Franchise Roadmap and hosts Your First Franchise Podcast interviewing top franchisors and franchise leaders. With a deep passion for franchising and entrepreneurship, he has dedicated over twenty years leading major business trade associations representing and working with thousands of entrepreneurs. Notably, during his time as Executive Director of the Louisiana Seafood Promotion and Marketing Board, he played a crucial role in guiding the Louisiana Seafood industry through the challenges of Hurricane Katrina and the BP oil spill. Throughout his journey, Ewell has worked closely with entrepreneurs, providing support during both good times and brutally difficult times, and leading the way in rebuilding billions of dollars in lost seafood sales - twice.

As a franchise executive and avid advocate for entrepreneurship through franchising, Ewell leverages his experience to guide career professionals, corporate refugees, and veterans to their next chapter. Ewell founded and produced the Great American Seafood Cook-Off (Food Network & PBS) and served as past President of the New Orleans Wine & Food Experience.

Ewell received his Bachelors in Psychology from Louisiana State University and his MBA from the University of New Orleans.

Jim has a diverse and extensive business background, working for companies both large and small. He has uniquely been a franchisor and a franchisee. He has over 30 years of successes with major corporations including McDonald’s, Schering-Plough Corporation and Sega Entertainment USA, Inc. where he held various sales and senior management positions in operations, sales & marketing and customer service.

Jim is a born entrepreneur, having owned several businesses, including multiple franchise companies. Jim most recently owned, operated and sold a highly successful College Hunks Moving and College Hunks Hauling Junk franchise.

Jim also is dedicated to helping Military Veterans find their way in the self – employment world through his involvement with the Veteran Franchise Centers throughout the country. Jim is an expert in franchising and business development and is a graduate of the Franchise Center of Excellence and is a Certified Franchise Advisor.

Jim graduated from Ohio University in Athens, OH.

In his 25 years in the franchise community, Ron has been VP of Franchise Development for concepts including Threshold Brands, Wireless Zone, Big Frog Custom T-Shirts and EnviroLogik. At the same time, his consulting company helped franchise brands set up or optimize their internal franchise sales processes and assisted with building stronger franchisee-franchisor relationships.

He has been active with the IFA since 2006, has been a CFE since 2010 and volunteers with Franchising Gives Back. Ron serves as Vice Chair on the IFA VetFran Committee and is in demand as a speaker and moderator at franchise industry events. He has also been recognized with Franchise Update STAR Awards several times.

Before getting into the franchise industry, Ron got a BS from Texas A&M and worked in retail multi-unit management, sales training and marketing with Ritz Camera Centers. Ron has also been a partner in a US Master Franchise, bringing the Local Handyman concept here from Canada.He is passionate about helping people achieve their dreams and take control of their income and their lifestyle through franchise ownership Ron is also passionate about our oceans and environment, college football, travel, lighthouses, pets, beach volleyball, sports cars, family and friends!

Frank is an accomplished Franchise Executive with over 25 years of progressive sales, business development, and management experience. He has a strong record of success in implementing sales programs adapted to various types of franchise concepts. He is recognized as a creative and innovative leader skilled in sales, business development, and lead generation, with the ability to create strong internal and external relationships with franchisors and broker/consultant organizations. He works with tenacity, integrity, and perseverance to achieve win-win results.

Before joining FranLift, Frank was the Sr. VP of Franchise Development at Premium Service Brands. Prior to that he spent over 14 years working for two different FSOs providing sales and other support services that helped franchisors grow their systems with franchisees that were the “right fit”. He also ran his own company, New Path Business Consulting. He provided extensive consulting and coaching services to entrepreneurs and executives and small size businesses. His other coaching experience includes time as a franchisee for 10 years with The Entrepreneur's Source, where he was named Consultant of the Year in 2002, and Marriott/Sodexho Marriott Services, where he was Regional Operations Support Manager. He holds two degrees from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island.

Howard Picker is a lifetime entrepreneur with passion and enthusiasm for helping people change their careers and lives for the better through franchising. Having had a successful career as a corporate executive at companies such as IBM Global Services and Northrop Grumman, he discovered a passion for business ownership and decided to chart his own path to becoming a seasoned entrepreneur.

Having been a multi-unit franchisee with multiple brands as well as creating his own startup and franchising the model nationally in the US. Now, with almost three decades of experience with mature and emerging domestic and international brands, Howard has a unique perspective on franchise development where he can navigate candidates through the nuances of business ownership.

Most recently serving as Vice President of Franchise Development and a member of the leadership team with Mathnasium, The Math Learning center. Howard has a Mechanical Engineering degree from University of California at Los Angeles.

Howard is happily married with four incredible children. He believes that when you become an entrepreneur and chart your own destiny, you can’t help but smile!