Leo Craig

Franchisee, Pensylvania

Have you ever been in a position where you’ve felt frustrated, undervalued, and just ready to throw in the towel? Well, Leo Craig was in that exact predicament, though you might not expect it from a high-powered president and CEO of a neonatal diagnostics company. But, when his contract with the company ended, he found himself unsure of his future. He set out simply to look for just another job until something made him change his mind.

What Leo didn’t realize was that one day his daily routine of reading the Wall Street Journal would change his career and his life. That morning, he flipped through the pages and stumbled across an article featuring a young, successful couple running an Express franchise. Their passion and dedication leapt off the page. Curious, Leo picked up the phone, called Express, and suddenly found himself on a new path.

Soon, Leo was on his way to meet the person who had picked up the phone that day – someone who believed in him. The Express representative expressed a true caring for him, valuing Leo as a person, and not just a dollar sign. Leo was sold.

What made the difference? Leo experienced it first-hand at Discovery Day. “To Express, it isn’t about selling a franchise. Their focus is putting the right person into the right partnership.” During his trip to the Express headquarters in Oklahoma City, Leo met the faces that were committed to helping him succeed, who had all of the answers to his questions. He couldn’t walk away. “I’m convinced that I would not have purchased a franchise if it wasn’t the right fit for both Express and myself,” Leo said.

After he returned from Discovery Day, Leo received a job offer that he thought he’d always wanted but was tired of feeling like just another face in the crowd. From here, his choice was simple. He chose Express and the opportunity of a lifetime instead, because he was truly valued, fully supported, and encouraged to succeed.

“You can’t help but be impressed when you visit Oklahoma City and meet everyone. There’s just such a genuine commitment to franchisees by the Express staff.”

Leo wasn’t looking to own a business when he began his search for a new job, but he fell into the perfect position when he became an Express franchisee.