👤 Author Name: Gresham W. Harkless Jr. Title: Franchise Broker & Entrepreneur | Founder, Blue Star Franchise Experience: 15+ years in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business growth strategy Location: Washington, D.C. Metro Area, USA About the Author Gresham W. Harkless Jr. is a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise broker, and the founder of Blue Star Franchise, where he helps aspiring and established business owners find the perfect franchise opportunity to match their goals, lifestyle, and financial vision. With over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship, digital marketing, and business development, Gresh has worked with hundreds of CEOs, founders, and small business owners through his media company Blue 16 Media and the I AM CEO Podcast, which has featured over 1,600 interviews. His unique background gives him a deep understanding of what makes a business succeed — and how the right franchise can change lives. A proud member of the Franchise Broker Association (FBA), Gresham brings a consultative and client-first approach to franchise matching. His mission is to help people “run their race” by finding franchise opportunities that align with their purpose, skills, and lifestyle. 📚 Credentials & Affiliations Certified Franchise Broker – Franchise Broker Association (FBA) Founder – Blue Star Franchise & Blue 16 Media Host – I AM CEO Podcast (1,600+ episodes) Featured in – 50+ Black Marketers on the Rise, Influencer & Media Innovators (2022) B.S. in Business Administration – Howard University