Daniel Lattanzio: Hearing from the WSI Leadership team gives you a great understanding of our franchise model and the support you'll receive, but sometimes the best way to truly understand what this business can offer is to hear from someone who's lived it. That’s why I'm excited to introduce Mr. Neal Lappe, a longstanding WSI franchisee who has been with us for more than 20 years.

Like many of you, Neal once stood at the same crossroads — wondering if this was the right business and the right opportunity for him. He’s here to share his personal journey: what led him to WSI, the challenges he overcame, and how this business has shaped his career and his future.

Neal’s experience shows that success with WSI comes in many forms. Whether you’re seeking greater work-life balance or building the infrastructure for a large-scale agency, this business gives you the foundation to shape your success in a way that’s uniquely yours.

Let’s hear from Neal.

Neal Lappe: Thanks, Daniel. Hey everybody — good afternoon or good morning, wherever you are in the world. I hope you pay particular attention to this section, because unlike everyone else you’ve heard from today who’ve shared great information, I’m a franchisee just like you. So I’ve lived through the experiences that you’ll live through if you come into the WSI network.

I want to share a little bit about my background, what led me to WSI, and what my experiences have been.

My name is Neal Lappe. I’ve been with WSI for 20 years — this is my 20-year anniversary. It’s been great.

I was downsized from corporate America, like many people have been. And honestly, my only wish is that it had happened sooner so I would’ve had more time to build my business. But it’s been a tremendous journey over the past 20 years.

When I came to WSI, I had no sales experience, no marketing experience, and I thought a website was the second most miraculous thing after the birth of my children — that’s how little I knew. But the education I received, the collaboration, the network, and the accessibility of the people at Home Office — who answered every question I asked in those early days — are what led to the success we’ve experienced.

When I first joined WSI, I was hoping to make half of what I made in corporate America. I’m fortunate to say that today, my family makes about three times what we made back then.

Another major reason I joined WSI is because it offered a model where I could give my daughters the ability to work from home, be present for their children, and make good money in the process. Some of you may have families or children who might eventually be part of your business — and it’s a tremendous opportunity for them to contribute to both your family and their own.

I want to share three reasons why I joined WSI, because they might resonate with you.

First, I was initially scared about joining a franchise. I was worried about what the franchisor might require of me. But what I found is that WSI is completely committed to your success. They’re flexible, transparent, and communicative. My experience has been entirely different from what I feared — and I hear the same thing from my peers across the WSI network.

Second, I was drawn to the entrepreneurial nature of the business model. It’s flexible. My wife always says I don’t like being told what to do — and many of us are like that. With WSI, you have the freedom to carve out a specialty, or stay broad and be a generalist. If you want to remain a solo consultant, you can make a strong six-figure income. If you want to build a team, you can do that too. I chose to go all in — today, our team has around 50 employees and generates several million dollars in revenue annually. It has provided a lifestyle for me and my family that I never could have imagined.

Finally, this is not a fad. This business is built on strategy, digital transformation, and AI — all of which are growing rapidly. Digital marketing alone is projected to grow at a double-digit compound annual rate. AI is moving even faster. If you get in now, your timing is exceptional. You’ll be at the forefront of where this industry is headed, with strong tailwinds behind you.

In fact, in my 20 years with WSI, I’ve seen more innovation and progress in the last 2 to 3 years than in the previous 17 or 18. The work being done around strategy and AI is outstanding. WSI is on top of the game, and you’ll be joining a business model that’s not only stable, but evolving and leading.

So in summary, I want to thank Daniel for inviting me to share my story. My experience has also given me the opportunity to be part of the training and development process, so if you join WSI, we’ll likely be spending time together during your first six to seven months — and beyond.

Thank you to WSI for how it’s changed my life and my family’s life — and thank you for considering joining the WSI network.