Business MentoringYears of managing and running businesses inspired one man to help others do the same.

When Eric Kurjan entered the business world, he had no intention of opening a franchise. Following a lengthy career in accounting software publishing, Kurjan moved to Microsoft in 2001 as a general manager in charge of 500 employees. Three years later, he left to start Plumbline Solutions, a software consulting company, but his career path didn't end there.

When John Crawford, a former colleague, opened a Six Disciplines Leadership Center franchise in Findlay, Ohio, Kurjan felt inspired. So when Crawford became ill, Kurjan stepped in. "I saw this as an opportunity to really take everything I'd learned in my 20-plus years in business and put it to work for my clients," says Kurjan, 48.