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How One Man Turned Failure Into a Multi-Franchise Empire, And How You Can Too
Imagine waking up one day, looking at your business empire, and realizing it’s all… gone. The trucks, the equipment, the employees, all of it wiped out in a financial storm so fierce that it drags you down with it. That’s exactly what happened to Max. But instead of curling up in a corner and writing sad poetry about his losses, he decided to build something bigger, better, and unstoppable.
Today, he’s not just a franchise owner, he’s a franchise powerhouse. With 13 successful bookkeeping franchises, a thriving franchise brokerage, and a business that handles bookkeeping for over 100 franchise brands (including some big names like FastSigns and Signarama), Max has cracked the code on leveraging the franchise model for massive growth.
So, how did he go from corporate cubicle jockey to financial phoenix? Grab your coffee (or vodka, if you’re on Max’s side of the world), because this is a story about grit, reinvention, and turning failure into fuel.
The Moment He Knew He Wasn’t Built for Corporate Life
Max’s journey didn’t start with dreams of bookkeeping empires and franchising success. It started with a corporate job in finance, a very respectable (and painfully predictable) career.
At one point, he was juggling offers from Wall Street giants like Lehman Brothers but ultimately decided to stay in San Diego, working for Qualcomm. The pay was great. The stability was undeniable.
The problem?
He. Was. Miserable.
Max had zero interest in climbing the corporate ladder, playing politics, and perfecting the fine art of kissing the right butts at the right time.
So, in 2002, he did what most people dream about but rarely have the guts to do, he quit.
No safety net. No guarantees. Just pure, unfiltered, entrepreneurial madness.
And he never looked back.
The Business That Exploded (and Not in a Good Way)
Max didn’t jump straight into franchising. His first real business was in construction.
And it was booming.
He took a small family business with just 3 employees and grew it to 96 employees.
Everything was golden… until it wasn’t.
Then came 2008.
The housing market collapsed, and everything fell apart.
The trucks? Gone.
The employees? Gone.
The contracts? Gone.
The money? Gone.
To make things worse, he had personally guaranteed business loans, which meant that his personal finances took the hit too. He declared bankruptcy, both business and personal, and found himself at rock bottom.
But rock bottom has a funny way of being a great launching pad.
How a Frustrating Experience Sparked a Multi-Franchise Business
With zero job offers coming in during the recession, Max had no choice but to create his own next move.
He and his wife, who had a master’s in accounting, realized that one of the biggest mistakes they made in their construction business was not having a solid grip on their financials.
So, they started Booxkeeping, a simple, garage-run bookkeeping service.
At first, it was just one small bookkeeping company in San Diego. Then they realized something insane.
Bookkeeping quotes were all over the place. Some companies charged $200 a month for the same service others charged $2,000.
That was a golden business opportunity.
They standardized pricing, created a predictable model, and before they knew it, franchise brands were knocking on their door, wanting them to handle bookkeeping for their entire franchise networks.
That’s when the lightbulb went off.
“If we can manage bookkeeping for franchises, why not franchise our own bookkeeping business?”
And just like that, Booxkeeping became a franchise.
From 1 Franchise to 13, And Counting
If you’re thinking franchising is easy, let’s clear that up right now.
It’s not.
It took a full year to get everything legally set up. Contracts. Systems. Operations. And Max hated every second of it.
But he pushed through.
Because here’s the secret no one tells you about franchising:
The first one is the hardest.
Once you figure it out, scaling becomes exponentially easier.
Now? He’s up to 13 franchise locations and growing fast.
And the best part? He’s not just selling bookkeeping franchises. He’s now a franchise broker, helping others find, buy, and grow their own franchises.
Why Franchising (Still) Makes Sense in 2025
If you’ve ever thought about starting a business but don’t want to build from scratch, franchising might be your golden ticket.
Here’s why:
✅ Proven Business Model: You’re not guessing, you’re following a playbook that’s already making money.
✅ Brand Recognition: Customers already trust the brand (which means less hustle for you).
✅ Built-In Support: You get training, marketing, and ongoing coaching.
✅ Higher Success Rate: Franchise businesses have a way higher success rate than independent startups.
But the real secret to success?
Persistence.
Max built his franchise empire by showing up, again and again, even when it didn’t pay off immediately.
For example, when he started sponsoring franchise expos, he spent a ton of money and got zero clients in the first year.
Most people would have quit.
Not Max.
He kept showing up. The next year, he got a few clients. The year after that? More. Now? He’s one of the most recognized bookkeeping franchises in the game.
Thinking About Franchising? Here’s Where to Start
Max doesn’t just sell franchises, he helps people find the right one.
If you’ve ever thought about starting your own business, but don’t know where to begin, his franchise brokerage might be exactly what you need.
He helps people find the right franchise for their budget, skillset, and goals, and his guidance is completely free until you actually buy a franchise.
Interested? Check out FranchiseWithMax.com and book a call.
Because the biggest mistake you can make in business? Trying to figure it all out alone.
