YBI, MBAC to Host Franchise Ownership Seminar at YSU

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – Anyone interested in franchise ownership can get some pointers at an upcoming seminar.

Franchisee Ron Taylor will be the guest speaker at the Lunch & Learn seminar hosted by the Youngstown Business Incubator and the Minority Business Assistance Center. The event is scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Nov. 3 at the Excellence Training Center on the campus of Youngstown State University.

The seminar is designed to educate entrepreneurs on the benefits of franchising. Taylor, who has 35 years of experience in the restaurant industry, will discuss how choosing the right brand of franchising can help launch entrepreneurial careers, compared with starting an independent business.

“Entrepreneurship does not necessarily mean you have to create something from scratch,” Taylor said. “There are countless franchise brands in all different industries that can help provide a roadmap to business ownership.”

Taylor opened his first franchise with Edible Arrangements in 2006, and then opened The Simple Greek in 2017. He has won Franchisee of the Year and Top Sales Store in Franchise awards, garnered millions of sales and served as COO for The Simple Greek.

“Franchising can be a great path to entrepreneurship, but like anything, comes with a myriad of issues that people need to understand,” said Barb Ewing, CEO of the YBI. “With this event, we hope to change that trajectory.”

Jackie Ruller, Excellence Training Center director, said past and present students can learn valuable information from Taylor.

“Since we have been working to create an entrepreneurship ecosystem for YSU students and now have funding available for microgrants, not only for YSU students but also for YSU alums with businesses in Ohio, we have been partnering with organizations in the region, like YBI, that provide support to startups,” Ruller said. “I am excited that students will have the opportunity to listen to such a successful franchisee here at the Excellence Training Center.”

Tanisha Wheeler, regional director of MBAC Youngstown/Warren, is encouraging minority entrepreneurs to attend the seminar. 

“As MBAC’s heart is to see minority entrepreneurs elevate their businesses, we believe November’s discussion on franchising, with Ron spearheading the conversation, will be a great asset to our clients,” Wheeler said.

To attend the seminar, register HERE by Nov. 1. Remote access will also be available.

Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.