I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of Jungle Driving School, owned by my clients, Jessica Hanzie Leonard, CPA, MBA, and Joseph Leonard, right here in my hometown of Brecksville, Ohio.
As a franchise consultant, moments like these remind me exactly why I love what I do. This was one of them.
I first met Jessica and Joe long before there was a tiger logo on a building, brightly wrapped driving school cars in the parking lot, or families walking through their doors.
Like so many people exploring business ownership, they started with questions.
“Can we really do this?”
“Is this the right fit?”
One thing became clear very early in our conversations: Jessica and Joe weren’t simply looking for a business. They wanted to own something that would truly make a difference in their community.
What better way to impact a community than by helping save young drivers’ lives?
Every teenager who learns to become a safer, more confident driver can protect not only themselves, but their families, friends, and everyone else they share the road with.
That’s more than a business. That’s a mission.
Over the months, Jessica and Joe did the hard work. They completed their due diligence, secured financing, found the perfect location, hired an incredible team, and worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life.
As I stood there watching families walk through the doors, I couldn’t help but smile. Months ago, Jungle Driving School existed only as a dream we talked about together. Now it was real. Parents were excited, teenagers were eager to learn, and a vision had become reality.
One thing that made me smile throughout the day was hearing how quickly they were already filling their driving time slots. Before marketing had even started, they were already helping local families prepare the next generation of safe drivers. That’s exciting, not only because it’s a great start for their business, but because they’re already making the impact they hoped for.
Business ownership isn’t easy. There are long days, unexpected challenges, and moments when you wonder if everything will come together.
Then there are days like this, when you watch someone’s dream become reality and see the difference they’re already making in their community.
Those are the days that remind me why I love what I do.
This experience reminded me why I never start with a franchise; I start with the person.
Jessica and Joe weren’t looking for just any business. They were looking for a business that reflected their values, aligned with their goals, and enabled them to make a lasting impact. Once we identified that, the right opportunity became clear.
The best businesses don’t just generate income.
They create impact.
Jessica and Joe have found a way to do both.
Congratulations, Jessica and Joe! Thank you for allowing me to be part of your journey. Watching your dream become reality has been one of the highlights of my year, and I can’t wait to see Jungle Driving School continue to help countless young drivers gain the skills and confidence they need to stay safe on the road.