"I want to be on this guy's team".

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Name: Sam Hilo

Company: Liberty Tax Service

Number of Units: Eight

Locations: San Bernardino, Calif.

Years in Franchising: Since 2003

"Only in America," says Sam Hilo whose business success as a Liberty Tax franchisee is a story of an emigrant's dream to own a piece of the U.S. tax industry. Since 2003, Hilo has been living that dream. His family came to the United States from Jordan when he was 11 years old. College wasn't within the family's financial means, so he embarked on a future in sales, selling electronic components for two years, and then jewelry for four years.

With no tax experience, life savings of $30,000, and credit card debt of $20,000, he took the plunge and purchased a Liberty Tax Service franchise in 2002. His decision was well-thought-out, based on extensive research on franchising, and conversations with several former and current franchisees within the company's operating system.

"I was sold on Liberty Tax, and the industry experience of CEO John Hewitt, as well as the enthusiasm of the people I met who were employees and franchisees," he said. "What impressed me the most was John's vision of the future of the industry when he realized that computer software would be the standard way of preparing taxes, and that he started Jackson Hewitt with the industry's first tax software. He is a true industry innovator and leader. I thought to myself: 'I want to be on this guys team.'"

Hilo opened his first office in 2003, worked 16-hour days, and learned the franchise system as fast as he could. He was a firm believer in the company's way of doing business, and focused on innovative guerrilla marketing. His costumed Lady Liberty wavers created visibility for an office that wasn't as visible to those driving by. "Building one-on-one relationships with other businesses really helped me to succeed too, and definitely established the Liberty brand quickly in my San Bernardino community."

The long hours and focus on following the system started to pay off pretty quickly. "My first year in business I had the No. 1 new office in the system. With a staff of eight, we prepared 1,340 returns and grossed $160,000 in revenues. I grew my business to eight offices in seven years without any outside financial help." The calculated risk he took from making $30,000 per year as an employee to seeing his income increase to $750,000 as a multi-unit Liberty Tax franchisee was well worth it. His 2008 gross revenues were $1.94 million.

Hilo feels rewarded in many ways other than financially. "This is a highly-satisfying business. We try to treat every client as if they are the only client. We try to solve their tax problems as if they are our own. I treat every employee--I call them 'business partners--the way I want to be treated."

Where he once did nearly everything, Hilo now delegates duties to a staff of 50 employees. His vision is to steadily grow his operation and add more offices. His belief in the vision that the franchise company will be No. 1 prompted him to take a position as an area developer in South Orange County, Calif.

"I mentor and help other franchisees coming into the system to realize their dreams of success. I'm so grateful for the opportunity and the support behind me from Liberty Tax Service; I feel like I should give something back." He's become more involved with the brand's national charities, the March of Dimes and Cell Phones for Soldiers with his employees, customers and the local community.

Is there life after tax season and away from the tax business for him? "After tax season, I take multiple vacations to Europe; I ride my Harley on weekends with friends and I run my real estate rentals. Most importantly, I spend most of my time with my wife and two children. My favorite hobby is creating small PC video games for my kids to play with. I had plenty of time to learn PC programming during the only off-season."