About Us

We are the only peer-to-peer mentoring organization built BY franchisees FOR franchisees. The Franchise Leadership Center brings together the best in the franchise world to help you scale and grow your business. You never need to feel alone again after you take your seat at the table.

Our Vision

At the Franchise Leadership Center, we strive to be the go-to organization for franchisors and franchisees whenever they need to connect, learn, share, grow, or solve a problem. We work with the best educators, speakers, business minds, franchising experts and consultants, coaches, and motivational team members.

Our Promise To You

Your confidentiality and integrity as a client won’t be compromised. At Franchise Leadership Center, we put you first. We treat you as an important partner and we will always be honest, available, and reliable. We won’t simply meet your expectations but exceed them. You can trust us to help you with your needs or we will find someone who can.

Our Team

Our team is made up of members of the FLC and other partners we work closely with to bring you the best in workshops, consulting, speakers, seminars, facilitation, strategic planning and whatever needs a franchisee or Franchisor may need.

We have many partners, and expert organizations to help you with whatever you need.

About Our Founders

Steve Whiteside, PhD

Steve is a successful entrepreneur who has owned franchises and worked with many franchisors. Steve has worked in the Private College industry for 25 years and is passionate about the sector. Steve also has owned an advertising agency, a consulting company and an import company that sold Underwater Photographic Equipment.

Steve is the founder and partner of the Franchise Leadership Center where he works with franchise organizations to help build stronger organizations and more productive relationships between Franchisors and Franchisees. As a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) from the International Coaching Federation, Steve works with CEOs and owners of franchises as their executive coach and consultant using his experience and knowledge to help others maximize their full potential. Steve is passionate about helping his clients find the answers they are looking for: building stronger relationships, more effective teams, collaborative partnerships with stakeholders, and developing their leadership capability. Most of all Steve enjoys helping Franchisees maximize their brand and be as profitable as possible as well as helping franchisees stay accountable and successful.

Some of the clients Steve has worked with are: The Nurse Next Door, 1-800-Got-Junk, Stor-X, and Launch Life International, to name just a few. Steve uses his skills, experience and knowledge to help franchisees and Franchisors move forward to reach and exceed their desired goals. Steve’s professional credentials include a master’s degree in leadership from Royal Roads University where his research and thesis were focused on Franchise organizations. This allowed Steve to not only study the latest theories on leadership but to do groundbreaking research on Franchisor and Franchisee relationships; discovering how to put the theories he was learning into practice. Steve also earned his Ph.D. in Human and Organizational Systems at Fielding University located in Santa Barbara in 2013. Steve’s Ph.D. research and dissertation are also focused on Franchise organizations, more specifically, measuring the effects of executive coaching to enable franchisees to profitably grow their business. Steve admits “Theory alone cannot accomplish anything, but when you combine theory with research and 25 years of practical experience you have tools that are so powerful you can accomplish just about anything”. Steve also holds an Instructor Diploma that focuses on building curriculum and content for Post-Secondary students in college, seminars and adult learning.

Alex Read

As a seasoned entrepreneur, and recipient of the Business In Vancouver “40 Under 40” award, Alex has owned a number successful businesses.

This has included a number of franchises with 1-800-GOT-JUNK?; Modern PURAIR, and the small business consulting firm “Make Anything Work”. Until 2018, Alex was dedicated to leading the charge as CEO and then COO at WELL Health Technologies Corp (TSX: WELL), the largest owner and operator of Primary Healthcare facilities in BC.

Alex brings to everything a wealth of international business and leadership experience having worked in several countries around the world, for companies such as American Express. His career focus has revolved around rapidly scaling privately held companies. During this time Alex has developed a passion for increasing organizational effectiveness through clear and transparent leadership.

As a proud Vancouverite for over 20-years, and with a young family, Alex still dedicates time to be active within the community. Amongst other things, he currently leads the volunteer Ski Patrol services on local ski hills (through FASP). He is a past Global Chair for the Global Student Entrepreneur Awards (GSEA.org), and also a past Canadian Regional Director for the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO).

Find Out More About How FLC Can Help You

Please compete the “request information” box and one of our amazing team will reach out within 24hrs. We will answer your questions and help you understand how the Franchise Leadership Center can give you the tools to take your franchise business to the next level of success.