Jeff Crane had reached an intersection on his professional journey. There were only two options: left, or right. One road led to being self-sufficient, and the opportunities of becoming your own boss. Taking the other road meant continuing to “rent” his job as an executive in radio sales and management, just hoping to hang on when the blade swung again in a volatile industry.
“The job was great, and I had been very successful. But success never guaranteed your job past the end of the day,” recalled Jeff. “The constant uncertainty, the always ‘walking on egg-shells’ feelings, trying to read what corporate was thinking, just wore me out. I was ready for a change.”
Jeff chose the “ownership” road, and is now an Indianapolis-based Alternative Career Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source®, North America’s leading career transition coaching franchise. He can afford to take deeper breaths for the first time in years and look to the future with confidence.
“Jeff saw his industry changing and his skills not being utilized,” said Susan Mell, Jeff’s TES Career Ownership Coach.
“Due to his contagious, enthusiastic nature,” according to Susan, “it was a wonderful coaching experience assisting Jeff to find a franchise which fit his passion and Income, Lifestyle, Wealth & Equity goals, which is The Entrepreneur’s Source. Now I have the pleasure of working with Jeff on a regular basis!”
We caught up with Jeff in his Indianapolis office to find out the keys to his successful transition.
TES: Jeff, as a corporate radio media sales executive, I’m guessing the “perks” were way cool?
Jeff: There was definitely a glamourous show biz side to it, like box seats to ball games, and suites for concerts, backstage passes, meeting celebs like Peyton Manning, John Mellencamp, Stevie Wonder, and others. Lots of fun times-away from the office.
TES: Let’s talk about that. What was the tipping point for you to pursue your own business?
Jeff: Maybe being down-sized three times before I was 36? (Laughs) The media industry as a whole has been in turmoil for years, with mergers, acquisitions, downsizing, music format changes at the drop of hat, and I was caught in that vortex. Many times, I was getting bonus checks AND severance checks at the same time! Just nuts!
I felt like I needed more control over my professional life. I had been able to make my stations and clients a lot of money, and believed those same skill sets could do the same for me. That’s when I started exploring business ownership opportunities through franchising.
TES: But your first experience in finding that alternative path to self sufficiency was not good, right?
Jeff: Not at all. I hooked up with franchise brokers, first. All they seemed to be interested in was making a quick sale. They had no desire to find out my “Why’s”, just my “what, when, where and how much”…not my why. I also felt like I was being pushed toward franchises that may not have been a great fit for me, too. It was very, very frustrating.
TES: So, when did you meet Susan Mell?
Jeff: Susan reached out to me in 2015. I’m not even sure how she got my name, but I’m so very thankful she did. Within 15 minutes of talking with her, I learned more about franchising and business ownership than I ever did from the brokers! She changed my thinking 180 degrees from what business opportunities were available, to what value I could bring to a business.
TES: How else did she help ease your mind regarding this transition?
Jeff: She helped me understand that there were broader opportunities than just service based businesses, or “brick and mortar” stores. She also shared with me financing options where I could pay myself a salary while I was getting the business off the ground. That really helped my mindset, as well as my wife’s. It really freed me to move into the Discovery Process.
TES: What did you like about the TES Discovery Process?
Jeff: I could learn about different business models in a variety of industries in a safe environment. There was no bias, or pressure to make a quick decision. Susan and TES just asked me to keep an open mind, and be willing to embrace new thinking about becoming self-sufficient. I liked that a lot!
TES: Why did you choose to become a TES coach?
Jeff: I really believe the reason I went through the turmoil and downsizing in my professional life was to help me identify with others who have been through the same thing. I get a TON of satisfaction bringing hope and opportunity to people who were just like me.
Building relationships, being able to empathize with people, finding solutions, were all skill sets I had from my former career. TES has helped me take those attributes to whole different level, investing in my success, and the success of others, as an alternative career coach.
If you would like the opportunity to have more control over your professional life, escape the “Battered Career Syndrome” like Jeff, while enjoying the Income, Lifestyle, Wealth and Equity™ (I.L.W.E.) you deserve, The Entrepreneur’s Source wants to talk to you.
If you’re ready to work for yourself, in a fulfilling career, with greater opportunities, and the time/bandwidth to serve your community, then let’s get started! Request more information here.
