Ask Career Ownership Coach Rick Arevalo how he feels about being named Coach of the Year, and his answer is immediate. He is honored, but mostly, he is humbled.
“I never set out to win anything,” Rick says. “I just wanted to help people discover a better path for themselves.”
Rick has spent more than a decade with The Entrepreneur’s Source® (TES). His impact on clients, fellow business coaches, and the community is undeniable. Yet, his journey mirrors that of the many people he helps. His success was shaped by reinvention, tough lessons, and a deep desire to take control of his future.
Looking back, his only regret is that he didn’t make the leap sooner.
A Long Road Before Finding the Right Career Path
Rick didn’t start as a coach. He spent over thirty years in franchising, largely on the corporate side. He began his career at Circle K, where he oversaw more than 1,500 stores. Later, he worked across service brands, IT concepts, the education industry, and even a venture in the pet industry.
“I didn’t choose franchising because I had a grand plan,” Rick explains. “It was just my job. But over time I learned that success comes from trusting people and building systems that support them.”
He watched countless franchisees succeed. These were everyday people who thrived because they had the right structure behind them. He realized he was building success for others, but he wasn’t building that life for himself.
The Reality of Becoming an Independent Business Owner
Eventually, a move to the East Coast to be closer to family led Rick and his wife to a new chapter. They purchased a small bed and breakfast in Blacksburg, Virginia. While his wife thrived in the role, Rick gained a different kind of education about what it means to own a business.
“With an independent business, everything is on you,” he says. “There’s no playbook, no validation process, no support. And the exit strategy? Practically nonexistent.”
This experience didn’t discourage him from entrepreneurship. Instead, it reminded him exactly why franchising works. He realized that a robust system is vital for long-term success.
Finding a Coaching Franchise System That Felt Like Home
When Rick began his next career search, he knew corporate life was no longer an option. He wanted freedom and purpose. He needed a model that aligned with his personal values.
His wife gave him the final nudge: “You need to quit your job, we’re moving.”
He explored helping others navigate franchising, and TES stood out immediately. It wasn’t just another sales job.
“TES wasn’t about selling,” Rick says. “It was about coaching—giving people the space to explore possibilities they didn’t know existed.”
Other networks he explored focused on territories or aggressive sales models. TES offered flexibility, education, and a service-driven mission. It was a perfect fit for a career change.
“It wasn’t just a good fit,” Rick says. “It aligned with who I wanted to be.”
The Challenge of Letting Go of Corporate Identity
Despite decades of leadership experience, Rick faced a challenge common to many new coaches: unlearning.
“When you come to TES, no one cares what you used to do,” he laughs. “And that’s hard for people who had big corporate titles. It was hard for me too.”
To succeed as a career coach, he had to stop leading and start listening. He had to trust the entire process.
“The most important skill we have is the ability to listen,” he says. “We’re not guiding clients to a decision. We’re helping them realize and define what they want their life to look like.”
Once he embraced this mindset, everything clicked. He wasn’t acting as a consultant; he was empowering people to make their own choices.
Creating a Lifestyle of Freedom and Fulfillment
Like many who embrace this new career, Rick gained more than just a job. He gained a new life.
Today, Rick works from Annapolis, Baltimore, Barcelona, or anywhere he chooses. His business travels with him. His schedule is entirely his own. After years of working for other people, he finally has the freedom and fulfillment he sought.
“Even after ten years, I still can’t find anything wrong with this model or our approach to coaching,” he says.
This flexibility distinguishes the role from that of a standard life coach or corporate employee. It allows for a life where personal goals and professional success coexist.
Helping Others: A Calling, Not Just a Job
Over the years, Rick naturally stepped into mentorship roles. He supports new coaches, leads peer groups, and serves as a go-to resource within the network.
“I have a need to help people,” he says simply. “Whether it’s clients or coaches, I want to make a difference.”
The TES model gives him endless opportunities to do exactly that. Helping others discover their potential has become a sustainable and rewarding career.
A Message for Your Future Career Choice
What would the Coach of the Year tell someone considering this path?
“Every conversation is a learning experience. Every client teaches you something. And every day, you help people uncover possibilities they never knew existed.”
Rick’s journey shows what becomes possible when you trust the system and trust yourself. You can choose yourself and take ownership of your life today.
Are you ready to explore your options? Speak with a TES Ownership Developer to see if becoming a Career Ownership Coach