Four Decades of Changing the Way People Experience Franchising
Since 1984, The Entrepreneur’s Source® has believed that the best franchise relationships begin with something more meaningful than a transaction—they begin with education, understanding, and trust.
What began as a different approach to helping people explore business ownership has grown into a North American community of Career Ownership Coaches™, franchisor members, strategic partners, and franchise professionals connected by a shared belief: when people make better-informed decisions, stronger businesses and stronger franchise systems follow.
WHO WE ARE TODAY
More Than a Coaching Organization. A Franchise Community.
Today, The Entrepreneur’s Source brings together Career Ownership Coaches, franchise brands, funding experts, strategic partners, and industry professionals within a community built around education and collaboration.
Our Coaches help aspiring entrepreneurs explore what’s possible. Our franchisor members provide pathways to business ownership. Our partners bring expertise that helps franchise systems and business owners grow.
TES connects those relationships—creating an ecosystem where people, brands, and ideas can move forward together.
Four Decades of Helping People Build Better Businesses
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1984
A Different Approach to Business Ownership
The Entrepreneur’s Source® was founded on a simple but powerful idea: people exploring business ownership deserved education and guidance—not pressure.
That philosophy laid the foundation for what would become Career Ownership Coaching™ and a fundamentally different approach to franchise discovery.
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1998
Career Ownership Coaching™ Expands
The Career Ownership Coaching methodology expanded throughout North America, helping thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs evaluate business ownership based on their goals, financial readiness, lifestyle, and personal vision.
This marked the beginning of a coaching network built around fit—not transactions.
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2017
Technology Enhances the Human Experience
TES invested heavily in technology designed to strengthen—not replace—the coaching relationship.
Digital innovation streamlined the candidate journey, improved collaboration, and gave Career Ownership Coaches more time to focus on what matters most: helping clients make confident decisions.
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2024
Celebrating Four Decades of Impact
Forty years after its founding, TES celebrated a legacy of helping thousands of individuals pursue business ownership while facilitating more than $1 billion in franchise investments.
The mission remained unchanged: helping people discover businesses where they can truly thrive.
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2026
Building the Future of Franchise Collaboration
Today, TES continues to evolve through enhanced collaboration tools, Coach certification programs, networking events, and strategic partnerships that strengthen relationships between franchisors, Career Ownership Coaches, and the candidates they serve.
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What We Stand For
To help people make informed, confident decisions about business ownership while connecting exceptional franchise brands with candidates who are positioned to thrive.
Education First
Relationships That Last
Outcomes Over Volume
We believe the strongest outcomes happen when everyone benefits. Clients make informed decisions. Coaches remain trusted advisors. Franchisors welcome owners who understand what they’re stepping into. And stronger relationships create healthier franchise systems.
ONE PHILOSOPHY. FOUR DECADES. The Client’s Success Is Our Only Success.™
That belief has guided TES from the beginning. When we put education, informed decision-making, and the Client’s best interests first, stronger outcomes follow for Coaches, franchisors, and the entire franchise community. Brands build meaningful relationships and grow stronger franchise systems.
Meet the Team Helping Our Community Grow
From Member Success and Coach collaboration to funding strategy, operations, and strategic partnerships, our team works across the TES community to strengthen relationships, solve challenges, and help our members get more from their partnership.
Susan Stilwell
Susan Stilwell
Susan brings with her over 30 years of hands-on, comprehensive brand management, franchise development and business development experience for leaders in franchising across diverse industries. Currently Susan serves as a Strategic Integrator making sure that our coaches have the tools they need to build a thriving practice by constantly enhancing our resources, prioritizing our biggest opportunities and ensuring the TES team remains steadfastly focused on helping them achieve success.
Before working at TES, Susan owned her own staffing company. She values spending quality time with her husband and two kids — whether eating out at the new restaurant in town, going on a two-week adventure through Italy, or touring a haunted cruise ship, you can always count on a laugh and a good story with Susan!
Greg Cook
Greg Cook
Greg brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table with 15+ years in the franchise industry, and he invested decades working with the International Franchise Association (IFA), the preeminent voice of franchising worldwide. Throughout his career, Greg has consistently delivered exceptional results and has earned a reputation for his dedication, professionalism, and attention to detail. His commitment to excellence and his passion for providing top-notch service aligns perfectly with The Entrepreneur’s Source values and vision.
Greg is most at home in the outdoors and is an avid fly fisherman and fly tyer. If Greg is out of the office, there is a high probability he is on a body of water fly fishing.
Ron Davison
Ron Davison
Ron Davison brings more than 18 years of business leadership and extensive experience in franchise funding to his role with The Entrepreneur’s Source. After nearly two decades of involvement with TES, Ron now serves as Director of Funding Strategy and Partnerships, where he focuses on strengthening funding relationships and developing resources that help Coaches and clients navigate the path to business ownership. His experience with traditional and alternative funding strategies allows him to bring a practical, solutions-focused perspective to the TES community.
Outside of work, Ron values time with family and enjoys staying connected to the people and community around him. His relationship-driven approach carries through both personally and professionally, with a focus on helping others explore possibilities and move forward with confidence.
Jackie Krochko
Jackie Krochko
Client centric for over two decades, Jackie helps brands navigate the exciting and dynamic world of international franchise development. Jackie works with both small emerging brands strategizing how best to pass the 100 unit mark, all the way up to global brands with 45,000 locations in over 100+ countries. What she likes most is every brand has a story and she gets to help them achieve their unique growth goals.
More about Jackie, she loves to bake with her amazing children and her lifelong dream is to travel to Bora Bora and bask in the sun.
Jackie Stilwell
Jackie Stilwell
Jackie brings a fresh and dynamic perspective, graduating from Oregon State University in June 2024. She has a talent for connecting with others, understanding their needs, and creating a great customer experience. Jackie is excited to begin her journey with The Entrepreneur’s Source, where she is eager to learn and contribute to clients’ success by helping them achieve their professional goals.
Outside of work, Jackie values spending quality time with friends, family, and her dog. Whether embarking on new travel adventures, relaxing with loved ones, or exploring new hobbies, Jackie is always ready to make the most of every moment.
Kim Steenblock
Kim Steenblock
Kim brings extensive experience in franchising, relationship development, and strategic partnerships to The Entrepreneur’s Source. Throughout her career, she has worked alongside franchisors and industry partners, building a strong understanding of what creates meaningful relationships and successful experiences. Today, Kim supports TES Franchisor Members, strengthens Coach and Member collaboration, and connects members with resources like the TES Strategic Partner Program to help them maximize the value of the TES Network.
Outside of work, Kim enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, and making memories with her son and dog. She values experiences that bring people together and create lasting connections.
There's a Place for You in the TES Community
Whether you’re building a franchise system, supporting the franchise community, or exploring what’s next in your own career, The Entrepreneur’s Source is built around helping people and businesses move forward with greater clarity and stronger relationships.