7 Steps Every First Time Franchise Buyer Should Follow: Plus: 49 Insider Secrets You Need to Know and 3 Deadly Traps to Avoid

Mark Leonard offers inside information about the realities of the franchise world to prospective franchisees. In 2001, Mark conducted research on hundreds of franchise opportunities, and chose to acquire 3 franchise locations of a highly rated franchise system in the San Francisco Bay Area. Mark participated very actively in the franchisee community, including being elected to the Board of Directors of the regional Franchisee Advertising Fund, and he was also Chairperson of the Northern California Materials Council. After selling his franchises, he wrote "7 Steps ..." to help prospective franchisees make good franchise investment decisions. Prior to his franchise ownership, Mark spent 20+ years in Silicon Valley in roles including finance, contract management, sales, marketing, and CEO, starting with ROLM/IBM and including several software design firms. Mark earned an MBA from the University of Virginia's Darden School, and an undergraduate degree from Davidson College, North Carolina. Mark is no longer affiliated with any franchise, and neither seeks nor receives any financial consideration from any Franchisor.