Experienced operator, specializing in Multi-Unit operations for emerging brands. Since 2012, he has opened 25+ locations across numerous markets with a combined $30+ million in annual revenue.

Over the last 10 years, he has been an Area Representative for European Wax Center where he owned and operated 15 locations across multiple states and opened/oversaw an additional 10 locations under his AR umbrella.

John earned his undergraduate degree at the Arizona State University’s WP Carey School of Business in Management.

Partner at Grassi. Accounting and tax services to Franchised Restaurants (QSR), health and wellness, garment and apparel, entertainment, legal, manufacturing, and international business industries

Member: AICPA and the National Society of Accountants (NSA).

Education: BS in Accounting, SUNY Geneseo; MS in Taxation, Pace University

Proficient operator specializing in establishing Multi-Unit operations for emerging brands. Since 2009, he has opened 25+ locations across numerous markets with a combined $30 million in annual revenue. He has been a part of franchise brands such as Texas Roadhouse, Orangetheory Fitness, and Kidstrong.

Stefan has been an Area Representative for Orangetheory where he owned and franchised 19 locations and has experience scaling in and out of franchise brands.

Education: BA in Nutrition, University of Florida, MBA in Hospitality, Keiser University

Law Partner at Nelson Mulllins. Estate planning, franchise & distribution, and M&A.

Licensed: Florida and Michigan

Education: Georgetown University Law Center, JD; Wayne State University Law School, LLM, Taxation; BSBA in Accounting and Finance, Georgetown University

Robert Tobias is an accomplished and growth-focused executive and entrepreneur with 30+ years of experience establishing businesses, leading organizations and elevating brand awareness through business development and franchising.

Over the past 26 years, Robert has helped develop three emerging franchise brands; Quiznos Subs, Hurricane Grill & Wings and Hand & Stone Spas, by owning, operating, franchising and creating development teams responsible for over 150 locations and $100 Million in systemwide sales.

Currently, Robert serves as Managing Director of Elite Franchise Capital, a Private Equity Firm he founded with four other partners in 2022. EFC offers a unique franchise development model not utilized before in franchising.

Prior to entering the franchise field, Robert started his career at Goldman Sachs, worked in corporate finance at Sony Music and owned and operated a construction company.

Robert earned his undergraduate degree at SUNY Albany in Business Administration and later received his MBA from Boston University.

Robert is a Mentor at SCORE volunteering his time to help other entrepreneurs. He currently resides in Connecticut and is the proud father of two beautiful daughters.

Chris Labishak is a fitness industry veteran with over 30 years of experience, having held roles such as Personal Trainer, Training Director, Sales Manager, Health Club General Manager, and Health Club Owner. As the Area Developer for Pittsburgh, Chris owns five Orangetheory studios in the region, additionally serving as the President of the Orangetheory Franchise Advisory Council, Chair of the Marketing Advisory Council, and a member of the Fitness Advisory Council.

Chris’s previous work experience includes working as a fitness and sales consultant and former REX Roundtable member. His extensive experience has made him a respected figure in the fitness industry, and even earned him an International Health, Racquet and Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) award.

Jill and Lucas are accomplished entrepreneurs and fitness enthusiasts with over eight years of experience as Area Representatives, managing six franchise locations with Orangetheory Fitness. Lucas brings over 25 years of expertise in the fitness industry, while Jill’s background in real estate and entrepreneurship serves as an invaluable asset to their operations. They are enthusiastic about sharing their industry knowledge, from site selection and build-out processes to team culture and development.

In addition to their professional pursuits, Jill and Lucas share two young boys who keep them busy on and off the soccer field.

With a strong background in finance and marketing, Jay played a pivotal role in establishing the Sky Fitness & Wellbeing brand as the leading fitness destination in Tulsa, Oklahoma. His extensive experience in fitness operations includes serving as the Area Developer for Orangetheory Fitness in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, culminating in a successful exit from the system through a sale to private equity. In 2021, Jay ventured into OutFit Training, a startup in South Florida offering outdoor, mobile fitness before opting to sell the assets back to the Franchisor the following year, while retaining his role as a seed round investor.

Jay brings a wealth of expertise in real estate development and multi-unit management, having overseen the rapid construction of 28 new Pizza Hut locations. Furthermore, Jay managed 46 Bruegger’s Bagels locations across the Seattle and Baltimore markets, comprising 23 owned and operated sites and 23 under management contract.

Rob is the owner of two highly successful Hand and Stone Massage and Facial Spas located in Poughkeepsie, NY, and Brookfield, CT, with one spa recognized as the fastest-growing for two consecutive years. He also owns a thriving massage school in Poughkeepsie. Before becoming a small business owner, Rob was an expert in C/C++ performance analysis and tool development, low-level debugging, and application and database-building for various small and large companies.

Rob and his wife reside in the Hudson Valley, New York, and have three grown children.

Scot’s 15 years of franchise experience span a dynamic career, serving as the Area Developer for European Wax Center, overseeing the development of nine locations, and for Orangetheory Fitness, overseeing 15 locations. His entrepreneurial spirit continues to thrive as he embraces his next chapter with TopSail Steamer.

Scot began his career in telecommunications, holding senior executive roles at Cox Communications and Comcast, and working with HBO and STARZ!. In his free time, he enjoys the year-round outdoor lifestyle in Florida and watching his children, Kylie and JD, play soccer and baseball.

As a former CPA turned entrepreneur, Brian ventured into multi-unit franchise ownership with Massage Envy, which he sold at the close of 2020. He also managed a commercial DirecTV franchise from 1998 until its sale in 2023. In between these ventures, Brian pursued several other franchise and business opportunities, including involvement with Phoenix Salons and Amazing Explorers preschools.

As business and life partners for over 30 years, Twan and Karen are accomplished entrepreneurs with a history of successful business ventures. The couple co-owned and operated Future Industries from 1992 to 2018, with Karen focusing on sales and Twan on operations and finance. They grew the company from a small distributor in the tanning market to the third-largest in the U.S. by securing exclusive importation rights and diversifying into capital equipment finance and leasing.

In 2009, Twan and Karen diversified into the franchise market, investing in European Wax Center (EWC) and Massage Envy. They secured exclusive Northeast area development rights for EWC, significantly contributing to its growth, while owning and operating locations in Manhattan, Connecticut, and Boston.

Always wanting to teach and give back, Karen became a certified EOS Implementer in early 2021, working with leadership teams across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. She also serves on several non-profit and entrepreneurial boards in Connecticut.

Twan and Karen love entertaining, spending time with family, and traveling with their golf clubs and pickleball racquets, and always bring a deck of cards.

James is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with over 40 years of experience in the fitness industry. He successfully created and managed his own fitness brand, operating three thriving locations for over 30 years. As an Orangetheory Area Developer, James expanded his portfolio by owning and overseeing five Orangetheory Fitness studios. His deep expertise and commitment to the fitness sector have made him a respected leader and innovator, consistently driving growth and excellence in all his ventures.

Beginning his career as an accountant at Marsh & McLennan Companies, Tom has been the CFO of Impala Asset Management LLC since its inception in 2004, guiding the firm through its transition to a family office in 2022. Prior to this, he served as CFO of Palantir Capital Inc. from 2000 to 2004 and as Controller of Palantir Capital Inc. for Ziff Brothers Investments from 1995 to 2000. He also held positions at Grantchester Securities and Wasserstein Perella & Co.

Tom splits his time between Connecticut and Florida, enjoying golf with family and friends in his spare time.

Andrei and Nataliya Kisseleva are the owners and managing partners of Massage Envy and The Lash Lounge franchise locations in Westchester County, NY, sharing nearly two decades of experience in wellness and beauty franchises. Before becoming business owners, Andrei and Nataliya moved across countries and continents, earned MBA degrees from U.S. business schools, and spent over a decade in corporate careers in marketing and investment banking with Fortune 500 companies.

Nataliya is also a registered yoga teacher (ERYT-200), sharing her passion for yoga with private clients. The couple lives in Westchester County, NY, with their son.

Andrew Bishins is the owner and operator of multiple commercial real estate development companies, managing and developing over 1.5 million square feet. Previously, he served as the Area Developer for Orangetheory Fitness in Eastern Massachusetts, where he grew the market from zero to 29 studios in seven years before exiting to private equity in 2019.

Before his ventures in real estate and franchising, Andrew spent over 21 years in banking and finance. At Wells Fargo, he built and developed relationships for the Institutional Retirement and Trust for the New England and Upstate New York regions. His experience also includes 12 years at ING (formerly CitiStreet, formerly State Street) and four years with John Hancock, focusing on employee benefit sales, implementation, client service management, and administration of defined contribution, defined benefit, and nonqualified plans.

Is first a husband and father with 4 children and 3 grandchildren.  Professionally, He has a background in Retail Management, Real Estate and Residential development. Focusing the last 20 years on entrepreneurial pursuits lead him into his 10 year run in the Medical Spa world (with his wife Dr Mary White-Opperman and  partners Julie Compton and Dr Eric Compton. , and most recently 3 Orangetheory Fitness studios in the boutique fitness space in Northwest Indiana. Now seeking his next venture.

Julie Compton is a dynamic and accomplished entrepreneur with a diverse background in business and a passion for continuous growth and innovation. With a business degree and a steadfast career-driven mindset, Julie has seamlessly balanced professional ambition with motherhood, demonstrating a remarkable ability to thrive in multiple arenas.
Starting in large business systems sales, Julie honed skills in highstakes negotiation and strategic planning. Seeking to combine business acumen with a personal passion, Julie transitioned into the beauty industry, attending beauty school with the goal of opening a solon. For the past 26 years, Julie has successfully owned and operated Texture Pointe Salon in Highland, Indiana, establishing a reputation for excellence and client satisfaction.
Julie has made significant strides in various industries. Notably, Julie has co-owned the Kelly Cardenas Salons in Chicago, IL and Las Vegas, NV, and owned a Paul Mitchell beauty school. Julie has also ventured into the restaurant and hotel industries, demonstrating a keen eye for promising business opportunities.
For the last 18 years, Julie has owned a medical spa, further diversifying the business portfolio. In partnership with her husband, Dr. Eric Compton, and partners Dr. Mary Opperman and Jon Opperman, Julie introduced Orange Theory Fitness to the local community, promoting health and wellness. This venture aligns with Julie’s personal interest in fitness and well-being.
Born and raised in Munster, Indiana, affectionately known as the south side of Chicago, Julie remains deeply connected to her roots. She is dedicated to giving back to her community, including her daughter Berlyn’s school, fostering a spirit of generosity and support.
Looking ahead, Julie is excited to embark on new ventures, including the launch of Scissors and Scotch, adding to her impressive list of successful businesses. Julie continues to inspire and lead, proving that with passion and perseverance, anything is possible.