Henry Lopez

Henry is a Serial Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach, and Host of The How of Business podcast show.Henry has over 35 years of diverse business experience, including successful careers in the information technology industry, sales, sales training and business ownership. He is currently the Managing Partner of Levante Business Group (supporting entrepreneurs and small business owners and producers of The How of Business podcast), co-owner of iTopIt (a self-serve frozen desserts restaurant in Colorado Springs), co-owner of L3 Destinations (a Travel Agency co-founded with his wife), and a minority partner and investor in Office Evolution of Plantation (an executive suites and co-working business center franchise location). Henry currently resides in a suburb of Dallas, Texas with his wife Pam.He has been directly involved in over 11 different small businesses since purchasing his first business in 1991. He has developed and launched his own businesses, and has bought and sold businesses as well. Henry also serves as a volunteer SCORE Mentor.Business Ownership Highlights:Henry has been a part of more than eleven different business ventures over the past 29 years. His entrepreneurial experience began in 1991 with the eventual ownership of three Mr. Jim’s Pizza franchise units in the Dallas/Ft. Worth, Texas area. He performed as CEO of these franchises, with responsibilities for planning, systems development, financial management, and marketing. He purchased his first Mr. Jim’s franchise with a partner, increased sales 255% over six years, and sold that unit in 1999 for a 46% annualized return on investment. Henry sold these restaurants in the early 2000’s, and no longer operates any Mr. Jim’s Pizza franchises.In 2002, Henry became a licensed Real Estate Agent focusing on residential home sales and investment properties. He was a member of the top-producing real estate team in Coppell, Texas and one of the top teams in the state, achieving RE/MAX Executive Club level in 2004. In 2005, MAR Property Investments was formed by Henry Lopez and his partners, specializing in residential properties and undeveloped land investments in Florida. Henry led MAR Property Investments to acquire a portfolio of properties in Florida including rental homes and residential lots. Henry has also invested in rental homes in the Dallas, Texas area, and is currently an active commercial real estate investor.Henry’s next business venture was in property management as the majority owner of Old World Salons, a suite-salon business with two locations in North Richland Hills and Southlake, Texas. Old World Salons leases individual suites to independent health and beauty professionals, and Henry purchased this existing business in 2008. Under his ownership and management, this business generated average annual cash flow margins of 29%, with occupancy rates in the 95-100% range. As owner and President, he was responsible for all business owner activities including planning, financial management, operations management, systems development and sales & marketing (including online and social media). Henry sold Old World Salons in 2014, realizing an annualized total return on cash investment of 58%.In 2010, Henry Lopez and David Begin founded iTopIt , a self-serve frozen yogurt restaurant in Colorado Springs, Colorado. iTopIt was first to bring the self-serve frozen yogurt concept to Colorado Springs. The business was created entirely by Henry and David, including development of the brand, restaurant design and operating systems. In addition to his leadership and overall management and planning responsibilities, Henry is also responsible for all marketing activities including online and social media. In the first calendar year of operation, iTopIt generated a profit margin of 25.6%. Henry and David continue to own and operate iTopIt, with potential future plans to expand and also possibly franchise this concept.Combining their passion for travel and experience in the industry, Henry and his wife Pam (a former American Airlines flight attendant) founded L3 Destinations in early 2015. L3 Destinations is a full-service Travel Consulting business, offering custom cruise and land vacations, group travel, and business incentive travel programs.In 2015, Henry co-founded Levante Business Group, dedicated to helping people start, run, and grow small businesses. Through Levante, Henry offers Business Coaching and Consulting services for select clients. Levante Business Group also offers on-line learning solutions, webinars, and other tools and resources for small business owners.Levante Business Group produces The How of Business Podcast. Henry is the host of this top-rated on-demand show which provides practical advice, tips and techniques for small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs.In 2016, Henry invested and became a minority partner in Wild Blue Car Wash when he partnered with carwash industry veteran David Begin to build and operate the third location of this exterior-express car wash business. David Begin and Henry Lopez sold these highly successful car wash locations in 2019.Henry’s latest business venture is Office Evolution of Plantation. Opened in 2020, this franchise location provides Coworking and Private Office Space for business owners in Plantation, Florida. Henry is a minority investor and partner in this business, and served as business coach during the development by majority owner Ed Uribazo.Henry is also a volunteer mentor with SCORE, providing small business mentorship services for existing and aspiring small business owners in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area, for all types of small businesses.Henry graduated from the National School of Technology with a certificate in Computer Programming, and also attended Miami-Dade College.