Joan Oleck | Page 4

Chris Locher spent five years as director of operations of the chain's Eastern Region. Now, he's in business for himself -- with his wife and daughters as partners.

Kay Hechler found massage therapy so helpful that she and her husband opened a Hand & Stone massage franchise.

Mary and Larry Banning have been empowered by the success of their three Batteries Plus Bulbs outlets in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Wasilla.

Diane Carson battled breast cancer, then set up her business. During Breast Cancer Awareness Month, she's spreading the word on offering support to those in need.

Chiral Desai is an author and an architect but Nothing Bundt Cakes satisfied her sweet tooth and was a "perfect fit" for her personality.

Chris and Kristina Bauge have found ILoveKickboxing healthy in terms of both physical fitness and profit.

Derek Cole held a variety of jobs in HVAC before becoming a franchise owner in 2009.

For Chicagoan Fred Haas, a Miracle Method franchise felt familiar, relevant and right.

Parter Robert Bertram and Robert Coan's biggest challenge was waiting, and waiting and waiting for that all-important state license.

Now age 21, Ron Balchandani has had to deal with the challenge of managing employees much older than he.

With six kids to care for, Becky and Eric Elder were hit hard by the Great Recession. But they survived by fighting, and filing taxes, for their many clients.

Tony and Theresa Oliver liked ARCpoint Labs' multiple income streams and the 'clean/white-collar' feel of the drug-screening brand.

Patch Boys is only the latest initiative Bill Bunting has jumped into over the past 15 years.

When Arcadia High School in California invited owner Robert Kenz to sell his Robeks juices and smoothies to its students in-house, he couldn't say no.

Orphaned in Vietnam and adopted by an American church, Phong Huynh grew up in the El Pollo Loco company, rising from night porter to corporate director and, today, owner of 13 restaurants.

Bob Ryan's interest in a Goldfish Swim School franchise was piqued by the scarcity of children's swim lessons in Chicago.

Chiropractic doctor Steve Nutty cites his experience as a hockey coach as great training for owning his own business.

Marcus Teufel prepared for 10 years to be a McD's owner before taking a 180-degree turn.

With 74 western U.S. Dairy Queen locations, and 43 years as both franchisor and franchisee, Bill Spae is also focused on growth.

Paul Scholtes had a yen for Asian cuisine and loved how the menu at Wok Box Fresh Asian Kitchen encompassed delicacies from ten different regions.

By owning her own in-home care business, Brenda Gross is following in the footsteps of her father and grandfather, who were both entrepreneurs.

Larisa Citsay of New Jersey loves being surrounded by furry friends as she grows her dog-boarding business.

Wanting his own printing business, Todd Fisher chose a franchise over an independent shop because of his industry's fast-evolving technology.

Gina Reullion transformed her PT practice into a franchise model to avoid the "business headaches" corporate competitors gave her.

Andreana Chryssos wants to sell Philadelphia to her franchise's selection of nutritious fruits and vegetables.

Jesse Keyser jumped into franchising first, before taking little brother (and new college grad) Charles under his wing.

Rahul and Rohit Arora worked at Blimpie restaurants as managers for 10 years before making the move to ownership.

With proceeds from their Kona Ice franchise, Ted and Sandra Andrews of Ohio have raised $190,000 for children's and community organizations in Southeast Ohio.

Howard Berkowitz was drawn to the British Swim School when his own son nearly drowned.

Bob Riesenbach imposed certain requirements on himself to escape his "quiet, introverted side" and find small business success.