Success Stories

At Guidant, we have the unique opportunity to hear exciting success stories each day from entrepreneurs and investors who have utilized our services. A few of these stories are posted below and more come in each day.

Jack Biddle

I was the director of IT training for Masonite Corporation. But I’ve wanted to be in business for myself for a long time, and there was just no way I was going to be able to afford it without putting up my house. I didn’t want to go into debt to do this. Chances are, if I had not been able to finance it using my retirement funds, I would still be working for somebody else.

Once I made the decision to do Collision On Wheels and I didn’t need any additional financing, Guidant was clearly my first choice. I talked to three other companies, but I just felt more comfortable with Guidant from the beginning. The best feature of working with Guidant is that it was fairly easy. For somebody who didn’t have a clue for how this worked, they made it easy.

I’m having a ball working with the cars. Cars have always been a hobby of mine. I’m not a body technician, but now I’m here putting a roof on, simply because I want to. I’m still excited about this business opportunity. There’s more business out there than we know what to do with. That’s the problem we have right now. I can sell more than we can produce.

I think for people like myself who have a lot of the other tools in place to run a business, except for the financial tools, this is the way to go. [Guidant] made a dream possible for me.
Jack Biddle - New Florence, PA

Dan Simms

I didn’t see myself in corporate sales much longer. I really didn’t want to do this in my 50s. This was really a great alternative to spending the rest of my career as a business owner rather than as a pawn for a bigger company. I chose Case because it’s the largest full-service remodeling company in the country. Nothing else compared in my opinion.

Your [401(k) small business financing solution] appealed to me because I wanted to do it without a partner and I wanted to do it without taking on debt, and I just so happened not to have any meaningful equity in my residence. There was another company [I checked out] but, at the end of the day, they didn’t have the volume of transactions that you guys did. You guys were just better.

Your company promised a lot and delivered. I didn’t have any surprises. I like the concept that you have a concierge assigned to me. I had problems with [my former custodian] and the strong team that you had there really kept me from panicking. They were really patient and able to work with my schedule. Your staff really helped get that problem corrected amicably.

In this day and age, things have gotten so impersonal... It was nice to get that personalized service in something that’s a life-changing event. Going from getting a steady paycheck to starting your own business is a harrowing leap of faith. It was nice to have Guidant’s expertise. I never had the feeling that I was bothering anybody. They have a sense that I’m not an attorney, that I’ve not started another business before. Even after the fact, if I called up for advice or with a question -- even if it was a question that had been answered before -- they did a real nice job of hand holding.
Dan Simms - Holbrook, NY

Miki DeZorzi

I used to be sales manager for a telecom company. After my first child, I left to be with her, but I have a type-A personality, so I wanted to start a business I could control, yet do a lot from home. I decided to purchase an existing business called Electric Car Living, which specializes in electric vehicle and golf cart needs. We sell ZAP Electric Vehicles (street legal, green vehicles), Streetrod Luxury Golf Carts and Refurbished Club Cars. There is a huge demand for these vehicles in Lincoln, Calif., and the concept is spreading nationally. I could easily get an SBA loan, but I didn’t want to pay any interest. It makes more sense to take money I already have and not pay interest on it. I’m now getting an even better return on my 401(k) than before. Even if business went bad, I only owe myself money; why NOT go ahead with this financing option? On October 18 I became the owner of Electric Car Living. It’s a lot of work, definitely, but I’m in control of it. For me, with my kids and how I want to structure my life, it’s ideal. I want to be in charge, be my own boss, take time off and not feel guilty. I LIKE what I’m doing.   Read more...
Miki DeZorzi, Orangevale, Calif., Electric Car Living

Joseph Pfankuch

Before becoming my own boss, I had worked for over 18 years in big business. I was growing tired of everything about it. I had wanted to start my own business for awhile, and I decided that now was a great time. The best thing about Guidant and their Audeo program is that I am able to invest my money how I want. I have much more confidence in what I can do with it than what the market can do. My business is going very well; it’s ahead of my cash flow projections already. It feels really good to be making money on my business. I couldn’t be happier with my decision to become my own boss.
Joseph Pfankuch, Online Tools and Documents, Chanhassen, MN

Ted Sarasin

Prior to purchasing my own franchise, I worked at Chase Bank for over 10 years in the IT department. A lot of the jobs were being transferred overseas, so I decided to start something of my own. Using my retirement funds enabled me to purchase a franchise and become my own boss. Working with Guidant was a piece of cake. Everything was explained in detail, and everyone took the time to make sure I understood what I was getting into. The whole process flowed smoothly; there were no surprises. We’ve recommended Guidant to numerous people because of our great experience.
Ted Sarasin, President of Chem-Dry, Red Oak, TX

Brian Curcio

I am currently investing my self-directed IRA in private lending. I have been able to complete three deals in just four months, and my return was about 12%. I plan on continuing with this type of investing for the next few years and then, hopefully, I will have enough money in my self-directed IRA account to buy real estate property without leverage. I am happy with my return on investment. I want to thank Guidant’s whole organization, which was very professional and customer focused, which is rare in this day and age.
Brian Curcio – Chandler, AZ

Tony Capobianco

Last year, I was planning on leaving the corporate world to pursue a dream of becoming my own boss. I knew I had a good amount of money in my existing 401(k), and I was actively looking for alternative ways to move that money over to a business investment. My franchise consultant recommended Guidant to facilitate this process because of the tax benefits. Now I can honestly say that I never smiled in my 18 years in the corporate world like I smile every day now. Thanks to Guidant, I was able to invest in a fun and profitable company.   Read more...
Tony Capobianco, Educational Director of AbraKadoodle, Tampa, FL

Ted Parsons

I am currently a CEO of a Credit Union and I was looking to purchase a franchise for my son because he always had the entrepreneurial spirit. He wanted to go into franchising and we found a Big Apple Bagels and decided that it was something we were both passionate about. The franchise is breaking even right now, but we project that we can increase the profitability by 15-20% in the first year. Being able to invest in a business without taking out a loan is the best part of the Audeo program, looking back Guidant made the process very simple and helped make my son’s dream become a reality.
Ted Parsons, Owner of Big Apple Bagels, Battle Creek, MI

Jack Winslow

During the last 10 years, I worked four different jobs within the auto industry. And each time the company I worked for downsized, moved or went out of business. I was just tired of it. At 53, I am less marketable as a professional, so I thought about becoming my own boss. For me, it was now or never. Guidant made small business ownership possible for me. If it weren’t for their Audeo™ program, I would have had to buy a smaller business and take on a lot more debt and anxiety. Their systematic approach and employee knowledge base made everything move forward with ease. I’m very happy with my decision, and my Fast Signs franchise is right on target with our expectations!   Read more...
Jack Winslow, President of Fast Signs, Birmingham, MI

Andy Alberts

I opened Touchdowns Sports Bar and Grill about a month ago and already have 25 employees. We are in the process of building a clientele with promotions and getting the word out about Touchdowns, but the future looks good. I always had a vision of owning my own bar and grill, Guidant enabled me to accomplish my vision. I worked in the corporate world for over 11 years and I wanted to get out. Now I am doing what I was meant to be doing - owning and managing Touchdowns!

This type of investment is a big deal for people, it's their life savings and Guidant understands that. They provide you with knowledgeable people and materials that ensure that everything is completed accurately so you can focus on running your new business. The biggest benefit to this program, in my opinion, is that it provides investors the opportunity to access retirement monies without any tax penalties. Another benefit is that I can offer my employees a 401(k) benefit plan that adds value to my business.   Read more...
Andy Alberts, Owner of Touchdowns Sports Bar and Grill, Renton, WA

Roger Varner

Prior to leaving "Corporate America" and becoming my own boss I was an associate director for AT&T's Business Division. I decided to create a business plan for "Hocking Hill Roasters" and I chose Guidant to pave the way for me. I think this type of funding is great for small businesses. It jump-started mine and helped me generate $45,000 in the first four months. My experience with Guidant has been great, I really enjoyed working with their entire team. There was always someone available to answer my questions and their response time was unbelievable. I will always recommend Guidant!   Read more...
Roger Varner, President/Trustee of Hocking Hill Roasters, Inc., Rockbridge, OH

Patty Servaes

Before deciding to invest my retirement funds in myself, I was a CPA. I have since invested in three Homewatch CareGivers franchises and business has been great, I love it! If it had not been for Guidant I don’t think I would have ever moved forward. By using the Audeo™ program I am able to focus on running my business and not worry about debt payments. Honestly, without Guidant I don't think I ever would have pulled the trigger, this option just really fit with my personality.
Patty Servaes, Owner of Homewatch CareGivers, Framingham, MA

Bill Kahn

My company was recently acquired and I was laid off. I decided that rather than working for another employer I wanted to invest my retirement money in myself. I purchased a Schooley Mitchell franchise along with multiple territory development rights with my existing retirement funds. I believe that using this financing option is lower risk and is a much better utilization of my retirement funds. Guidant is the best fit for a business partner. Their use of well developed methodology, good marketing tools, and use of technology are much more forward looking than any of their competition.
Bill Kahn, Strategic-Partner/Consultant & Regional Territory Developer for Schooley Mitchell, NJ

Bob Egerter

Before becoming an entrepreneur I was a production engineering manager for Conoco Minolta. When my location was closed, I had to decide whether I was going to find another job working for someone else or step out on my own. With the help and support of Guidant I made the decision to utilize my retirement funds and purchase a "Maintenance Made Simple" franchise. The best element about using Guidants Audeo™ program is that I am investing in myself and am now the one who is controlling my future. One thing I really liked about Guidant was that they take a conservative approach and make sure that everything is done correctly and that every compliance issue is followed to a “T”.
Bob Egerter, President of Maintenance Made Simple # 132, Liberty, NC

Client Press Releases

• Alana Kelly, owner of Gitche Yah Yah floral and gift shop in Atlanta, Ga.
• Yohanni Hedges, owner of MaidPro in Crown Point, Ind.
• Matthew Angner, owner of Expetec Technology Services of South Denver
• Mory Matias, owner of Dryer Vent Wizard in Chicago
• And many more!

If you have a success story that you would like to share with Guidant, please send it to us at pr@guidantfinancial.com.