Influential Woman · Franchise Consulting

Lisa Land May

Co-Founder/Broker with Franchise Selection Partners, Franchise Selection Partners

Raleigh, NC

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree University of North Carolina at Greensboro Degree Marketing and Merchandising Degree 1991 Cert Certified Franchise Consultant Cert Advanced Behavioral Analysis in DISC Behavioral Assessment Cert SHIFT-IT Visual Coaching Member FranServe

Her Story

About Lisa

I've been in the franchise consulting business for about 11 years now. I'm affiliated with FranServe, the largest franchise organization in the world, representing over 800 brands in about 70 different industries. My sister Tanya and I have started several businesses together. The first business we started was back in 1992, a strategic consulting business focused on leadership development and strategic consulting. We grew that business over the span of about 15 years to about a $5 million company. Now I run Navigate Your Solutions, LLC with my business partner Marshall Graham, while my sister Tanya is more of a silent partner in this business. Marshall and I are the active owners. I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and my sister in particular has really helped to motivate me and help teach me, and have the confidence in myself to try something new, to go out there and not be afraid to try something new. It's just kind of been in my family to think outside the box and just go make your own way.

Her Interview

Ten minutes with Lisa

01What do you attribute your success to?

I come from a family of entrepreneurs, and my sister in particular has really helped to motivate me and help teach me, and have the confidence in myself to try something new, to go out there and not be afraid to try something new. It's just kind of been in my family to think outside the box and just go make your own way. I really could not do it without my team - Marshall and Tanya. We are definitely a team, and we support each other, and we encourage each other.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

The best career advice I've ever received is to believe in yourself, but to go ahead and take action, even when you don't feel 100% ready. You've just got to do it. You just have to move forward, even though you don't feel it might be the perfect time, or you might not be 100% ready, but just taking the action.

03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?

I would say take in all the information you can. Really listen to your mentors who have walked the path that you are about to walk. Ask detailed questions of those mentors, and really be present when you're talking to the candidates. Really do the active listening. Don't listen to respond, you really need to listen to gather information so that you can be the best advisor or consultant for them.

04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?

One of the biggest challenges is probably getting in front of the right candidates, like the right people who are truly interested in owning their own business. It's just hard to always find a good flow of those leads. The biggest opportunity is you can grow this business as large as you want it to be. You can expand it as much as you want, because you have the flexibility to do that. The world is your oyster, as far as I'm concerned in this industry, because you get out what you put into it. So if you really want a big business, it's there for you, you just have to go get it.

05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

I would say being authentic, having other people's best interest at heart, having integrity, and being compassionate. In the business I'm in, you have to really listen and take a true interest in what your candidates are explaining to you, and really try to help them with whatever would be their best path.

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