From Finance Executive to Multi-Unit Franchise Owner: How Mike Wielgus Built a Coworking Empire in Jacksonville

How Mike Wielgus built success.

After 30 years in the higher education finance industry—including owning his own student loan company—Mike Wielgus knew what it took to build a successful business from scratch. He also knew he didn’t want to do it that way again.

“I decided I didn’t want to start a company from scratch. I’ve done it before. It was way too hard,” Mike explains. “And so I wanted something where I can get a playbook.”

That search for a proven system led Mike to Office Evolution, where he’s now an eight-year veteran franchisee with three thriving locations across Jacksonville, Florida—and he’s actively searching for his fourth. His story offers a compelling blueprint for professionals considering a franchise opportunity in the flexible workspace industry.

Building a Multi-Unit Flex Office Portfolio in Jacksonville

Mike didn’t just dip his toe into the coworking industry—he dove in with a strategic, long-term vision. From day one, he signed on as a multi-unit franchisee with plans to develop five locations across the Jacksonville market.

“We have three locations in Jacksonville and they’re evenly spread across Jacksonville for good geographic coverage,” Mike describes. “They’re approximately 10 miles apart for each one.”

This strategic spacing isn’t accidental. By positioning his locations throughout the metro area, Mike has built comprehensive coverage that serves members wherever they live and work in Jacksonville. The result? A regional brand presence that competitors can’t easily replicate.

A Strategic Approach: Planning Backwards from Your Goals

Mike’s approach to building his Office Evolution portfolio reflects his finance background—he started with the end in mind.

“I kind of went backwards and said, what do I want to get out of this at the end of the day?” Mike recalls. “And so that’s really what drove me to signing a five-unit deal. I needed to have five units up generating X amount of cash flow, and then we can either cash flow the business or sell the business.”

This goal-oriented mindset is something many prospective franchisees can relate to. Understanding the franchise investment required and mapping out your path to success is a smart approach to any business venture—and Office Evolution’s model makes that planning process more predictable.

The Playbook Advantage: Why Franchising Made Sense

As someone who had built businesses from the ground up before, Mike understood the value of a proven system. When he decided to transition out of higher education finance and find something closer to home, he worked with a franchise broker to explore his options.

“As I worked with the franchise broker, he gave me a number of different opportunities to consider, steered me away from things that I didn’t want, and we kind of narrowed it down,” Mike explains. “After I did my due diligence, went to corporate headquarters for Discovery Day—at the end of the day, we thought this was the best fit.”

That due diligence process is something Mike encourages all prospective franchisees to embrace. Taking the time to visit headquarters, meet the team, and thoroughly evaluate the opportunity helped him make a confident decision—one he’s never regretted.

You’re Not Alone: The Support System That Makes the Difference

One of the most valuable aspects of the Office Evolution franchisee support system, according to Mike, is the guidance provided during the critical startup phase—particularly around real estate.

Expert Guidance on Location Selection and Lease Negotiation

“I think the key when you’re getting started is finding the location. You’ve got to find the right location—that’s number one,” Mike emphasizes. “And then number two, you’ve got to work through the lease and know the things that you’ve got to look for, especially the first time around where this may not be where your expertise is.”

Office Evolution provides comprehensive support through this process, helping franchisees navigate the LOI (Letter of Intent), lease negotiations, and all the complexities of commercial real estate. The franchise system also connects owners with vetted vendors and partners who understand the specific needs of flex office spaces.

“So you’re definitely not by yourself. You’re not alone in this process,” Mike says. “And I think that’s the key.”

A Network of Fellow Owners to Learn From

Beyond corporate support, Mike highlights the value of the franchise owner community—relationships he’s built over eight years in the system.

“I enjoy working with Office Evolution because of all the different owners,” Mike shares. “After being in this business for eight years now, when I come to a conference, I get to see a lot of friends and people that I talk to quite a bit but you don’t get to see very often. And so you build those friendships.”

These relationships go beyond socializing—they’re a strategic asset. “Not only do you have the friendships, you can bounce ideas off of them,” Mike explains. “So you’re not alone in this journey as a franchisee. You have other people to leverage.”

Building a Recognized Brand in Your Community

One of Mike’s proudest achievements is the brand recognition he’s built in Jacksonville over the past eight years. With three strategically positioned locations, Office Evolution has become synonymous with quality coworking in the market.

“I’m in the community in Jacksonville where I’m from—everybody knows Office Evolution,” Mike says with evident pride. “We built a brand in Jacksonville, and everyone knows if you want a great coworking space, you come to me and to Office Evolution.”

This kind of local brand equity is invaluable. It generates referrals, builds trust with prospective members, and creates a competitive moat that new entrants struggle to overcome. For franchise owners willing to invest in their communities, the payoff compounds over time.

Why Every Day Is Different: The Rewards of Flex Office Ownership

Beyond the business metrics, Mike finds genuine fulfillment in the variety and human connection that comes with running coworking spaces.

“From a member perspective, we have members and you get to work with all different kinds of people, all different kinds of businesses,” he explains. “You get to build relationships there. You get to help them build their businesses. You get to learn about their businesses.”

This dynamic environment keeps the work engaging. “It definitely just adds another wheel to this thing—more flavor to it—and every day is different,” Mike says.

The Ultimate Endorsement: Would He Do It Again?

When prospective franchisees ask Mike if he would make the same decision today, his answer is immediate—and backed by action.

“Would you do it again? I said, oh yeah—of course you’re seeing me do it again,” Mike responds. “Right now we’re in the middle of an expansion. I’m looking for my fourth location.”

He draws a simple but powerful analogy: “It’s almost like going to a restaurant and you said, how was it? And I always ask them, are you going to eat there—would you go there to eat again? They go, no. Well then I know it’s probably not somewhere I want to go. But for here, I think the best testimony is I’m still doing it. I’m still adding locations, still growing my locations.”

“And I’m very happy with the partnership I have with Office Evolution.”

Advice for Entrepreneurs Considering Office Evolution

Based on his eight years of experience building a multi-unit portfolio, Mike offers this perspective for those on the fence about entering the flex office industry:

“I think if you want to get into this business and you’re on the fence, it’s a personal kind of journey. It’s different for everybody,” he acknowledges. “But I think that from my perspective, when I talk to people about it that are looking at Office Evolution and they go, ‘Would you do it again?’—I said, oh yeah.”

His continued investment in new locations speaks louder than any marketing message could. For Mike Wielgus, Office Evolution isn’t just a business—it’s a partnership that has delivered on its promises for nearly a decade.

Ready to Build Your Own Office Evolution Success Story?

Mike Wielgus’s journey from finance executive to multi-unit franchise owner demonstrates what’s possible when you combine a proven business model with strategic thinking and dedicated execution. Whether you’re planning to start with one location or build a regional portfolio like Mike, Office Evolution provides the playbook, support, and community to help you succeed. Explore the franchise opportunity and discover if Office Evolution is the right fit for your entrepreneurial goals.