Having gained significant franchise experience since 1998, in 2004 Steve and his wife Karen, decided to relocate to Melbourne and established their Franchise consultancy The Franchise Doctor Pty Ltd. During the course of the next 10 years Steve and Karen have helped many small business owners to realise their dreams and establish their franchise models. In addition to this, Steve has held positions with several national franchise systems such as Cafe2U the world’s largest mobile coffee franchise and BIG4 Holiday parks the premier holiday park network in Australia. Currently Steve is the franchise Manager for Appliance Tagging Services the leading Test and Tag franchise in Australia and with plans to expand to NZ and beyond.
Holding a Diploma in Business ( Franchising) from Griffith University, an Associate Fellow of the Franchise Council of Australia and currently, the serving Vice President of the Victorian chapter of the FCA, Steve has a passion for franchising like no other. Steve is committed to the growth of the industry both in Australia and overseas and recognises the great opportunity for those seeking to enter this exciting business domain.
As CEO of the Franchise Doctor franchising consultancy, Karen has helped her husband Steve build a reputation of success based on sound business ethics and good old common sense!
Karen is also the founder and CEO of The Bright Eyes Organisation, her Not for Profit that is dedicated to freeing children from the slavery of human trafficking and the sex trade. Her work continues and is made possible by partnering with other organisations and with the ongoing support that The Bright Eyes Organisation receives from donations and with the financial support and self funding provided by Karen and Steve themselves. Karen is motivated to help others succeed and takes every opportunity to give back and encourages others to do the same.
Ian has a particular interest & expertise in advising and assisting clients with objective advice in all aspects of franchising law and related commercial areas such as:
• Preparing franchise agreements, disclosure documents, leasing & employment agreements;
• Advising on commercial aspects of setting up a franchise, operational processes and advising on compliance issues;
• Advising on appropriate dispute resolving solutions between franchisors and franchisees;
• Advising franchisees, leasing, employment and branding issues Through his experience as a commercial lawyer Ian has assisted a variety business owners both large and small with their business issues, commercial disputes and other general legal matters.
Ian is also able to offer advice to clients in a range of other matters including business structuring and asset protection strategies, purchasing and selling businesses and companies, intellectual property, employment agreements and shareholder/partnership agreements.
In 1997 this background helped him achieve his first role as Creative Director for a leading London agency. Returning to Australia in 2000, Andy continued as Creative Director at many integrated agencies, winning over 22 international and local awards in the process. He is also a regular judge on the awards circuit and journalist in advertising related publications. In 2010 Andy started his own creative consultancy and has crafted campaigns for many leading brands in Australia.
“ Teaming up with The Franchise Whisperer was a great idea. Steve and Karen’s passion for franchising and the people that give it a go knows no bounds. They have a real understanding of what it takes to make a successful business from a franchising idea. Being able to couple my advertising and marketing background with such determination makes me even more committed to turning our clients marketing problems into real profitable solutions”.
