Success Stories - Simon Heart
Simon Heart
All County Property Franchisee Since 2013
Simon’s Story
Simon Hart transitioned from a 20-year career as a global environmental engineer to become a multi-unit All County® powerhouse. Starting with his first location in 2013, Simon applied an engineer’s precision to the franchise "plan," eventually expanding to three locations across Colorado and Tennessee. His journey is a masterclass in the All County advantage: he moved from being a cog in a corporate machine to an "Architect of Opportunity," even pioneering the brand’s first remote-launch model to help his loyal staff earn their own equity. Today, Simon oversees a team of 25, proving that with humility, self-awareness, and a commitment to a proven blueprint, a technical professional can build a high-equity "win-win" legacy.
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"My transition was a mid-career switch at age 46. After 20 years in the corporate world, I was becoming disenchanted with the 'machine' and wanted to be my own boss. I discovered All County® while researching investment opportunities. Having owned a few investment properties myself, I was impressed by the relatively easy entry point—both financially and in terms of training—which allowed me to launch my first location in Boulder in 2013. Since then, I have expanded to three locations, including a unique remote launch in Nashville."
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"I was trained as an environmental engineer and spent 20 years in the water utility industry, working for a global company that grew from 2,000 to 7,000 employees during my tenure. While my background was technical, I always gravitated toward business development and project management. I viewed my corporate career as a great training ground, but I always had an entrepreneurial streak and was looking for a way to run a business rather than just being a part of a massive organization."
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"I was fortunate to have been contributing to a 401k throughout my 20-year corporate career. I utilized a mechanism that allowed me to form a C-corporation and fund it using a portion of those 401k funds. This self-financing was critical, not just for the initial fee, but for providing the 'runway' I needed to support my family during that first year while we got the office off the ground."
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"By far, the most satisfying aspect is the ability to build a team and impact lives; I now have 25 people across my locations whose careers and families I support. In the corporate world, there is often an indirect connection between your performance and your rewards. As a small business owner, there is a very direct line between your hard work and your success. Beyond the monthly salary, building equity in a business you own provides a level of financial autonomy and quality of life that I couldn't have dreamed of in the corporate world."
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"The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People" by Stephen Covey: A foundational book for personal and professional effectiveness.
"Good to Great" by Jim Collins: An essential read for understanding how to evolve a business into a market leader.
Note: I recommend revisiting these every decade; as you evolve in your career, you pick up different meanings that align with your current challenges.