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Last Saturday Key Bank and the IFA delivered a pilot ½ day educational program, the first of what I hope will be many more to come and an amazing event it was, in Cleveland, Ohio, Key Bank’s Home Base.  I actually got to participate in this event, which hands down, was the best of any such events I have ever participated in, during my 22+ years of promoting diversity and inclusion in franchising  What made this one such a game-changer from my point of view, was the deep level of franchisee participation in the program. 

This came in the names of Vanessa Whiting, owner of 15 Cleveland Popeye’s restaurants, Michael Obi,CEO of Spectrum Global, a multi-unit Little Caesar’s franchisee and Connie Hill-Johnson, of Visiting Angels, all three, powerful and relatable communicators and business people, who helped convey to the audience how much franchised business ownership has changed their lives and those they employ and serve.  

Today we’re going to continue that conversation, as I have invited Visiting Angels franchisee Connie Hill Johnson here today, to bring the conversation about diversity in franchising right her, as we will speak about more than just RETURN on INVESTMENT in franchising but ROI too, as it pertains to RETURN ON INCLUSION and why more franchisors, should be focusing their eyes on THAT ball as well.