Tarinelli’s entrepreneurial journey began with the founding of Light up Christmas in November 2002, a Christmas lighting company in St. George, Utah. Over nearly a decade, he built the company from the ground up, focusing on exceptional customer relationships and maintaining a 90% repeat customer rate. By hiring and training a mix of employees and subcontractors, he ensured high-quality service, which led to consistent business growth until he sold the company in 2013.

Parallel to this venture, Tarinelli co-founded Waffle D’Jour in 2008, where he managed all aspects of the business, including hiring, training, marketing, and financial management. His leadership and strategic vision helped the business flourish, demonstrating his ability to nurture startups into thriving enterprises.

Franchise Development Expertise

Tarinelli’s foray into the franchise world began with CertaPro Painters in July 2012, where he served as Franchise Development Director. His role involved building relationships with franchise candidates, owners, and consultants. He led business professionals through the due diligence process and facilitated discovery days. His efforts culminated in significant revenue growth, with the franchisees he mentored achieving an average revenue growth of 23% in 2014. This period also saw him being voted Franchise of the Year in 2014 by the Franchise Brokers Association (FBA), a testament to his effective relationship-building and strategic guidance.

At Harris Research, Inc. (Chem-Dry), from June 2011 to July 2012, Tarinelli was responsible for out-of-network franchise growth. He successfully increased the year-over-year lead conversion rate by 25%, highlighting his ability to attract and recruit qualified candidates to the brand. His contributions included assisting in marketing planning and a complete website renovation, further driving the company’s growth.

Transformative Roles and Leadership in Franchise FastLane

Tarinelli’s career took a significant leap when he joined Franchise FastLane in December 2019. Starting as the Senior Director of Franchise Development, he quickly climbed the ranks to Vice President, Senior Vice President, and eventually Executive Vice President of Franchise Development. At Franchise FastLane, he played a pivotal role in accelerating franchise growth for numerous brands, including BODYBAR Pilates, CarePatrol, and Monster Tree.

Under his leadership, Franchise FastLane became a crucial partner for business owners looking to expand their franchises without the heavy investment in an internal sales team. His expertise in structuring Franchise Disclosure Documents (FDD), designing marketing materials, and optimizing development processes enabled franchisees to achieve remarkable growth. His philosophy of focusing on what business owners do best while he drives growth has been a cornerstone of his success.

Notable Achievements at Tutor Doctor and JAN-PRO

At Tutor Doctor, where he served as Senior Director of Franchise Development and Retention from April 2018 to January 2020, Tarinelli demonstrated his knack for retaining and developing franchises. His tenure at JAN-PRO Franchising International from February 2017 to April 2018 further cemented his reputation. He led business development efforts that significantly increased sales and market share, particularly in the innovative field of cancer genomics at Intermountain Healthcare.

Global Impact and Strategic Expansion

Tarinelli’s impact wasn’t confined to the United States. At Intermountain Healthcare, where he served as Global Business Development Director for Precision Genomics from August 2015 to February 2017, he expanded the company’s footprint into five Asian countries through strategic partnerships. His efforts resulted in a staggering 450% increase in sales over 18 months, showcasing his ability to drive international growth.

Educational Background and Professional Certification

Tarinelli’s educational background includes an MBA from Utah State University’s Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, where he graduated Magna Cum Laude. He also holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and an Associate’s degree in Business from Dixie State University. His commitment to professional development is evident from his Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) certification, obtained in July 2019.

Don Tarinelli’s career is a testament to his dedication to fostering successful franchises and helping entrepreneurs realize their dreams. His strategic vision, leadership skills, and unwavering commitment to excellence have driven significant growth across multiple franchises and businesses. As the Executive Vice President of Franchise Development at Franchise FastLane, he continues to make a profound impact on the franchise industry, empowering business owners to achieve remarkable success. His journey is not just a story of personal achievement but a narrative of inspiring others to thrive in the competitive world of business ownership.