I’m proud of my clients’ success.

Deborah reached out to me at a time when I was struggling with deciding which direction I was going to go professionally. I had been laid off and was at what felt like a crossroad. From the start, she stated that one of her goals was to coach me through the decision process, no matter where it would lead.

Through recurring meetings we worked through my desires, concerns, motivations, strengths and weaknesses, values and goals. Along the way she guided me and asked me pertinent questions that got down to the core of my thought processes and decisions. It has been a great experience and I’ve learned a lot about myself as a result. Never once did she push me to make a decision that benefited her – it was always about my future and what was best for me.

I eventually made the decision to purchase a franchise, and through her mentorship I selected a business that aligns with everything that is important to me, and also checks all the boxes. I would not have been able to do this without her help and guidance, for which I will always be grateful. Even after I’ve made my decision, she continues to mentor me and is truly concerned about my success and happiness.

Deborah truly cares about the people she works with. I hesitate to say the word “client”, because I never felt like one. From the beginning it felt as if I was talking with a close friend, one who is always available and actually listens.

I highly recommend Deborah. She will work hard on your behalf and will always make whoever she works with feel like her one and only priority. She is a true asset.

Patrick Gibson – Maumee, Ohio

Deborah reached out to me offering her expertise as a Career Ownership Coach back in 2025. We discussed numerous interesting things about our careers, and most importantly what kind of new path I am looking to take. I thoroughly enjoyed our genuine conversations and the time we spent together. Deborah was very authentic while we walked through the process of figuring me out. I am so grateful for this, and look forward to re-connecting in the future.

Robert Krimper – Nesconset, New York

Deborah has always helped keep my head above water. Whenever I felt discouraged, she was the bright spot that helped me see there was still light at the end of the tunnel. She’s been a steady guide through this whole journey, and she played a big part in helping me find the independence I was looking for. Through our work together, I ended up finding a business that’s a great fit for me as an owner and entrepreneur.
I’d absolutely recommend working with her — and using the tools from E‑Source — to anyone who’s trying to figure out their next step. I’m really grateful for her support and everything she’s helped me work through

Rob Schliebe – Coeur d’Alene Area

I met Deborah late summer 2025. I had lost my position the prior May, and I had been looking for a job, with no luck. She helped me see the value of my skills, my work history, and helped me start thinking outside the box to see what different options there were to consider. She helped me see what I bring to the table and that I didn’t have to stay at the level I had been for so many years. No more settling!! She helped me start to believe in myself again and truly see that I’m worth so much more than I gave myself credit.

She’s a pure joy to work with and truly believes in the people she helps find the next step on the path or a complete new path. Deb is inspiring and helps you get excited about life. I’m very thankful for all her help and time. Deb met me at my lowest, and I’m a different person now- for the better. I have a new position that I never would have even considered. She helped me see how my skills fit the position and where my strengths can shine, and how to approach the responsibilities that honestly scared me! Her belief in me lead to me believing in myself. I can’t thank her enough. She’s excellent at what she does – her heart is to help people for real, as opposed to being a recruiter type of person. She will be your biggest cheerleader and work therapist all the same time.

Melissa Ropp – Vancouver, Washington

Deborah provided me the best kind of coaching – allowing me to explore opportunities in view of my goals. While reminding me to be open minded, she remained compassionate regarding my concerns and never lost sight of my current situation or the desired outcome. She boosted my confidence without ever pressuring me to a conclusion. I learned so much from my sessions with Deb and can sincerely recommend her services to all who are struggling with ‘what next’!

Lucinda Lunstrum – Ellensburg, Washington

Deborah was amazing to work with. She literally changed the trajectory of my post-military life. Her knowledge as an entrepreneur, warm personality, dedication to coaching/mentoring others, and passion for business ownership helped me see the potential in myself. She connected with a fantastic franchise. Thanks to Deborah, I have a growing business and a bright future as an entrepreneur!

Ernie Hatley – Wasilla, Alaska

Deborah is nothing but professional at her job. She is attentive, accommodating and gives you the facts of the situation in a way that is easily understood. She provides great suggestions on how to better your work situation and plan for the future. She is a great communicator that is truly looking to help people!

Michael Norton – Gonzales, Louisiana

Deborah is a consummate professional with a deep understanding of entrepreneurship and business franchising. For any who are considering entering the franchise game, her services are vital for their success.

Highly competent and recommended.

Jeffery Kuhl – United States

Deb is awesome – what a great coach and even better person! Her genuineness in getting to know who you are as a person first is clear from the get go. In our time working together she made tremendous efforts to get to know my strengths, my individual situation, and to provide recommendations that she knew would be a good fit for me specifically. I really appreciated getting to know her and how much time she spent with me – I would certainly recommend her to anyone and hope to work with her again in the future!

Jeff Dickson – Seattle, Washington

I had the pleasure of working with Deborah Mickelson during a pivotal time in my life as I explored franchise ownership. As a Career Ownership Coach, Deborah was everything I needed and more—professional, personable, and patient.

She guided me through the complexities of evaluating franchise opportunities, helping me narrow down options that aligned not just with my financial goals, but also with my personality, interests, and long-term vision. Deborah served as both a knowledgeable advisor and a supportive sounding board, offering insight and encouragement as I navigated the emotional and practical challenges of this transition.

She was consistently available, thorough in answering my questions, and never rushed the process. Her ability to balance guidance with empowerment made all the difference. I’m incredibly grateful for her role in helping me take this next step toward business ownership, and I would recommend her without hesitation to anyone seeking thoughtful, expert support in their career journey.

William Lockwood – Beverly Hills, Florida

I recently worked with Deborah while considering self-employment and franchising opportunities through The Entrepreneur’s Source program. She was easy to talk to and consistently insightful throughout the entire process.

Deborah took the time to understand my career goals and personal values, and she guided me in creating a clear vision statement for my next chapter. When it came time to connect with potential franchise companies, she was thoughtful and intentional—helping me identify what I wanted to learn from each opportunity and offering valuable questions to guide my conversations.

Throughout the program, Deborah was patient, encouraging, and genuinely supportive every step of the way. I would absolutely recommend her to anyone considering self-employment or franchising as a career pat

Garrett Quinn – Little Rock, Arkansas

Looking for my next business opportunity led me to meeting Deborah and exploring opportunites through The Entrepreneur’s Souces’ program. Working with Deborah throughout this process was a great experience. As a Career Ownership Coach, Deborah made it a priority to understand my long term vision, personal values, and encouraged family involvement. Deborah’s guidance on moving through the program was great as she provided clear instructions and offered support through each step of the program. Working with Deborah allowed me the opportunity to learn about business models and opportunites outside to the industries that I was accustomed to. I consider myself fortunate that Deborah was my Career Coach and highly recommended Deborah and her services to those exploring entrepreneurship.

Richard Edwards, MBA – Birmingham, Alabama

What sets Deborah apart is her unwavering commitment to mentorship. She invests her time generously in guiding her team, preparing them not just for their current roles but also for long-term, successful careers. Her insights and encouragement have been instrumental in shaping many professional journeys, including mine.

Deborah is also a visionary in the truest sense. Her foresight in identifying the right technologies and aligning them with organizational goals has consistently driven success year after year. Her strategic thinking and operational excellence have made a significant impact on the organization’s growth and performance.

Anyone who is fortunate enough to receive mentorship from Deborah will find themselves on a fast track to success. Her guidance, combined with her deep understanding of people and technology, makes her an invaluable leader and mentor.

Dinesh Vuppalapu – Hyderabad, Telangana

Deborah’s strategic vision is matched by her ability to execute. She brings structure and clarity wherever she goes—whether it’s applying smart governance, designing effective operating models, or setting up systems that scale. She doesn’t just build teams—she builds momentum.

Now, as she transitions into her new role as an Entrepreneur and Career Coach, I can’t imagine anyone more equipped to help others grow. Her leadership changed the course of my career, and I know she’ll continue to inspire and guide others with the same passion, wisdom, and clarity she brought to every conversation.

She will bring clarity, experience and true empathy to the table, so if you’re seeking a coach who deeply understands people, strategy, and performance—Deborah is that coach!

Tushar Ambre – Greater Minneapolis-St. Paul Area

Simply put, Deb was the best Manager/Leader/Mentor I have ever had. Unlike most, Deb both ‘talks the talk’ AND ‘walks the walk’ when it comes to career development. In my several years across several roles and teams working for Deb, she was always so thoughtful and purposeful about my career. She worked with me to fully understand my skillset as well as my professional goals and then kept that front-of-mind with all future decisions to challenge me and help me down my path. She is one of the most genuine and compassionate human beings I know and truly cares about the personal and professional goals of anyone on her team and does everything in her power to help in the attainment of those goals. Deb is awesome.

Dan Dutton – Minneapolis, Minnesota

I had the pleasure of working with Deborah as a career coach, and I can’t recommend her highly enough. What stood out most was her genuine, thoughtful approach—she truly took the time to understand who I am and what I was looking for in my next chapter.

Deborah helped me clarify my career direction at a time when I felt uncertain, and her guidance made all the difference. She asked the right questions, offered honest insight, and helped me focus my energy in a way that felt both strategic and authentic.

If you’re looking for someone who’s not just knowledgeable, but also sincerely invested in your growth and success, Deborah is that person.

Michael Morgan, MBA – Pipe Creek, Texas