Apex Leadership Company is a fundraising franchise in more than 33 states across the country, that combines the elements of fun and exercise into one-of-a-kind youth fundraising programs. Since its inception, the Apex brand has served close to 6,000 schools and raised $165 million dollars (net) for schools nationwide with its fitness-focused events including Apex Fun Run, Color Games and Anython.

Kevin Lewis is a top-performing multi-unit franchisee with Apex, serving over 115 schools in the Dallas-Fort Worth and Kansas City communities and generating over $1 million in annual revenue. A former restaurant executive, Kevin took the leap into franchise ownership in 2017 driven by a desire to work for himself and make an impact in his community.

In this Q&A, Kevin shares insights into his franchise journey, including his decision to change careers at 50, what drew him to Apex and his plans for growth.

Franchise Chatter (FC): You spent over 30 years in the restaurant industry, rising to VP of Operations. What motivated you to leave a successful corporate career and take the leap into business ownership at 50?

Kevin Lewis (KL): With some very attractive offers to take on executive level roles for some other restaurant chains, I decided it was a great time to start my own business and work for myself. The autonomy of being an owner was very attractive to me, and my previous experiences had prepared me to take that on with extreme confidence.

FC: What drew you to Apex Leadership Company specifically, and how did you know it was the right fit for your next chapter?

KL: I have been the president of a very large youth baseball association (non-profit) as a volunteer for many years, as a giveback to my community. I was interested in finding something that made a huge positive impact on kids that also could pay the bills. The moment I began Discovery Day at Apex, and saw the incredible Apex magic that was happening, I was sold. Apex is changing the lives of hundreds of thousands of kids every school year through empowerment, encouragement, fitness and character building.

FC: Many people hesitate to change careers later in life. What were your biggest fears about making this transition, and how did you overcome them?

KL: I think the biggest fear for all entrepreneurs, especially in their first venture, is the ramp to profitability. How long will I have to fund this venture before it starts giving me a return. My history of successful P&L management as well as my drive to hurdle the Ramp to Profitability propelled me into turning a profit by the end of the second quarter.

FC: What aspects of your corporate career prepared you for franchise ownership, and what new skills did you have to learn along the way?

KL: Building great teams is probably my forte, and that is critical in the restaurant business. My past experiences there helped me perfect that craft and really prepared me to build great teams at Apex. Although the restaurant business has a sales component to it, direct sales and building relationships with school administrators and PTA/PTO’s was definitely something new for me. However, that relational part of this business is something I grasped pretty quickly and was able to successfully start building a network of relationships in my territories.

FC: Apex Leadership Company’s mission is to create a healthier and more joyful leadership-focused way for schools to raise money for whatever their needs may be. Can you share one of the most memorable moments or success stories from working with schools?

KL: My most memorable moments thus far are completely non-financial moments (which I love). I will always remember being at an Obstacle Course Event Day for one of our schools, and a very physically challenged student that wanted to attempt the course, was making his way through best he could, mostly on his elbows and dragging his feet, when every other student, parent and staff member all stopped what they were doing, and followed this young man around the course cheering him on with big encouragement. You could tell by the look on the young man’s face that he felt so empowered and accomplished, and to see his parents so proud was something I will never forget.

FC: What are some of the biggest challenges schools face in fundraising today, and how does Apex help solve them?

KL: No two schools are the same and all are different, but I think all schools are facing less and less volunteer help than they had in the past, especially pre-Covid. Apex is completely hassle-free and we do almost all of the work, and definitely all of the “heavy lifting.” Not only are our schools completely cradled with support from our amazing teams, but even the few volunteers the schools have are also able to sit back and enjoy the program and its rewards and benefits.

FC: You’ve grown beyond Dallas-Fort Worth and now serve schools in Kansas City. What inspired the expansion, and how was the transition from one territory to multiple?

KL: I always had an interest to expand outside of my home territories, and an opportunity presented itself at the right time. I am blessed to have a very strong bench of people, and it is because of them that we were able to take on this opportunity that is also creating new career paths for my people. It also is helping me to create a model for a path to ownership for aspiring team members that dream of one day being Apex owners.

FC: What advice would you give to someone considering a major career change, especially those hesitant to start a business later in life?

KL: The old saying is “little risk, little reward,” which, for the most part, is very true, but you can minimize your risks in many ways. Doing your homework, setting your financial table and making good decisions can mitigate risks and fears if done right. There is so much freedom that comes from ownership, and if you find yourself itching to start your own business, start making your plan to scratch that itch today, then make it happen.

FC: What’s next for you and your Apex franchise? Are you planning further expansion, new initiatives or ways to deepen your impact?

KL: I do see me expanding into other territories in the future through bigger opportunities for my people, or even partnering with them to become owners. I have my hands in many jars at Apex, trying to be a part of solutions that will help all owners grow and scale with success, so that personal business growth may be slower than it could be, but building an empire is not my #1 priority. Quality of life, helping others succeed and being part of innovation are all super important to me as well as growth.