Case study: BRENT & LESLIE HADLEY
From Career Uncertainty to Purpose-Driven Franchise Ownership
“Terry didn’t tell us what to do … he gave us the structure, the tools, and the confidence to make the right decision for ourselves. By the time we moved forward, there were no unanswered questions, just clarity.”
Who Brent & Leslie Were Before They Started
Life Transition + Uncertainty After Service
- Brent and Leslie Hadley, based in West Haven, Utah
- Just returned from two years of volunteer missionary service
- Not yet at retirement age, but at a major life crossroads
- Initially planning to re-enter the corporate workforce
- Actively job-searching and networking on LinkedIn
- Facing shrinking opportunities and increasing uncertainty
They weren’t excited about going back to separate corporate jobs after two years of working side-by-side in service.
The Tension / Inflection Point
“Do We Go Back… or Build Something Together?”
- Corporate job leads began to dry up
- Brent had prior entrepreneurial experience, but:
- Capital constraints
- Fear of risk
- No clear path forward
- Leslie had a stable healthcare career
- Brent had experienced multiple corporate layoffs in IT
Growing realization:
“That paycheck isn’t as secure as it looks.”
Early Hesitation & Fears
“How Do We Know This Is Legit?”
- Strong skepticism early on:
- Fear of scams
- Fear of making a wrong decision
- Fear of capital requirements
- Extensive independent research:
- Watched HYBB videos
- Compared multiple franchise advisory firms
- Looked for red flags — found none
- Biggest concern:
- How to responsibly fund a franchise
The Informed Decision Process In Action
Structure Replaced Fear
- Terry’s approach stood out as:
- Methodical
- Analytical
- Calm and pressure-free
- Clear step-by-step process:
- Self-discovery
- Financial clarity
- Due diligence
- Franchise matching
- Tools helped them:
- Understand themselves better
- Identify strengths and blind spots
- Eliminate options logically
Coaching Not Selling
The “Golf Caddy” Moment
- Terry did not tell them what to do
- He guided without leading
- Brent’s analogy:
- “He was like a golf caddy — we had to take the shots.”
- No pressure, no urgency tactics
- Clear expectation set early:
“If we don’t find the right fit, we part ways as friends.”
This created trust — and confidence.
The Franchise Decision
Not the First Choice … The Right Choice
- Reviewed an initial set of ~10 franchises
- Their eventual franchise:
- Was not their first choice
- Emerged through due diligence
- Selected a service-based franchise aligned with their values
- Focus:
- Supporting homeowners
- Helping seniors remain in their homes
- Being a “to-do list partner” for the community
Options They Didn’t Know Existed
- Capital concerns had stopped Brent in the past
- Terry introduced:
- Funding strategies
- Capital structures they hadn’t considered
- Result:
- Opportunity felt feasible
- Risk felt understood
Decision felt intentional
From Employees To Owners
Reclaiming Control
- Brent’s reflection after multiple layoffs:
- Corporate security is an illusion
- Ownership offered:
- Control over schedule
- Control over income
- Control over future
- New responsibility embraced:
- Becoming employers
- Creating the kind of workplace they would want to work in themselves
“This wasn’t just about buying a business … it was about choosing a future we could build together. The process helped us find an opportunity that matched our values, not just our finances. We weren’t “sold” anything … we were coached, guided, and prepared.”
Brent & Leslie Hadley
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The most important thing anyone can do who is going through this process of discovery, of resetting their life, of trying to start their own business, is to work with Terry Coker. I absolutely recommend Terry Coker.
Ray is the ultimate professional. He identifies franchises that fit the lifestyle and needs of his clients. As a new franchisee, he held my hand throughout the entire process. If you are in search of a franchise, consider Ray Fanning.