Featured Franchise Consultants: Kathy & Jon Hylton
Kathy and Jon Hylton’s foray into franchise consulting began quite unexpectedly. Jon, with his diverse background in education, ministry and sales, combined with Kathy’s extensive experience in business development for a communication company, created a unique synergy. Kathy, having honed her skills while working remotely for years, was well-acquainted with the discipline required for a home-based business.
Their interest was sparked when they inquired about a franchise online. A twist of fate connected them with a franchise consultant who thought they were asking about the FranServe consultant program. This serendipitous introduction resonated with the Hyltons: The idea of consulting was home-based, collaborative, and perfectly aligned with Kathy’s expertise in building business relationships over the phone.
Determined to delve deeper, they explored FranServe alongside another consulting organization. FranServe’s strong emphasis on training and its culture of growth won them over. Jon embraced the consulting business as his primary occupation, while Kathy pitched in during evenings and weekends. Eventually, after retiring from her corporate role, Kathy joined Jon full time.
“Helping people navigate significant life changes has been incredibly rewarding,” the Hyltons shared. “We’ve learned that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Our focus is on uncovering each client’s ‘why’ for exploring franchise ownership. Some clients are eager to fire their bosses and take control of their destinies. Others are retirees looking to re-engage with the business world, build a legacy, start a family business or find a side gig.”
The Hyltons have witnessed remarkable growth in FranServe since Alesia Visconti became the CEO. “As good as it was when we first joined, it’s far superior now,” they said. “Under Alesia’s leadership, the training has improved, the tools have made our lives easier and the opportunities to network have increased. The hundreds of brands added to our portfolio have given us more options than ever to share with our clients. And the convention! Wow! No one throws a convention like Alesia!”
Despite the hard work and discipline required in consulting, the Hyltons find the rewards immense. They’ve experienced slow months but have learned to trust the system – managing leads, making connections, building relationships and recommending franchise brands. “This system hasn’t failed us yet,” they affirmed.
Having been franchise owners themselves for the past year, the Hyltons believe their FranServe experience has significantly strengthened their ability to assist their clients. Their journey is a testament to the transformative power of franchise consulting and their dedication to helping others achieve their dreams.
Rose Mango