Exemplifying The American Dream

Richard F. Eggleton is a classic example of American entrepreneurship, and typifies those who have achieved the American dream of success through business ownership. He launched his first business at the age of 24 in 1971 and has remained self-employed as an entrepreneur and turnaround specialist since that time. Now, Rick utilizes his entrepreneurial experience every day in relating to individuals who are exploring business opportunities as an alternative career path or means of diversification.

Rick's road to success grew with the annual sales of Great Western Pacific Corporation in Seattle, Washington as he developed the company to $12 million in annual sales from 1971 to 1979, in the role of chief operating officer. Recognizing the importance of the development of the Seattle waterfront to his company's success, Rick became the youngest member of the mayor's Seattle Waterfront Development Commission. His company's credits include the design of the Waterfront Park, the Seattle Aquarium, and the Waterfront Trolley Line, all Seattle landmarks today. He also developed Miner's Landing at Pier 57, a popular downtown tourist entertainment center. Eager to move on to new challenges, Rick sold his interest to his partner in 1979, and opened a consulting firm.

The focus of Rick's consulting effort was helping small business entrepreneurs grow their businesses, putting together marketing strategies, financing packages and operating systems and manuals, and assisting in turnaround and debt restructuring, a talent he still draws on in his work as a broker and office owner at ProBizSeller.

In 1982 he purchased a minority share of Secure Services Inc., an electronic security system design, installation and monitoring company in Seattle, Washington. He grew the company from a $300,000 annual sales base to $3.5 million in sales, achieving the rank of the number one electronic security business in the Pacific Northwest within five years.

During his eight years at Secure Services, Rick started and sold four other businesses. In 1990, he was asked to become chief executive officer of Edelstein Associates Advertising Inc., which was losing approximately $500,000 per year. He stayed with the firm for fifteen months, turning around the annual loss to a $1 million profit. A true entrepreneur, Rick downsized himself, left Edelstein, and returned home to southern California.

He became one of the founding partners of FranNet USA, and facilitated its growth throughout California and subsequently the nation. Now there are more than 50 FranNet offices across the nation. To expand and diversify his roster of services, Rick became a member of the Sunbelt Business Advisors Network from 2000 to 2009. Today he continues with his business brokerage activities independently, and offers business consulting, turnaround consulting, and other small business services in Irvine, California.

Professional and Community Affiliations

Rick's company ProBizSeller Inc. is a member of the International Business Brokers Association (IBBA), the California Association of Business Brokers (CABB), and the International Franchise Association (IFA).

Rick recently served as a volunteer counselor for the Orange County, California Chapter of SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives), and served as vice chairman and chief operating officer of the board of directors of FranNet USA, and was co-chair of the marketing committee for FranNet USA.

Educational Background

Richard Eggleton is a graduate of Stanford Business School and the University of Washington MBA program. He earned his Bachelors Degree in Business and Economics from Chapman University in Orange, California.