Mr. Hardy has been involved in franchising, new concept development, new market development, venture capital and international business for over 20 years. He developed his first franchising concept in the Spanish market place in 1992 and has since been a founder or executive in over 10 different start-ups. Most recently, Mr. Hardy was a consultant, then officer in one of the fastest growing IPL hair removal franchises in history. He was also awarded the master rights for this concept for the Midwest region of the U.S. and has since launched a pilot location (the second in the entire U.S.) in the Minneapolis market place. Before this, Mr. Hardy was the founder, owner and officer of Bluestone Partners which represented large American franchisors in the European and Northern African market places for the last 12 years. During this time Bluestone successfully launched the Curves for Women brand in the French, Belgium, Tunisian and Moroccan market places resulting in over 200 franchises sold and operated. Under his leadership, Bluestone opened and operated the first Curves in the Rennes, France region and quickly grew the brand to be the largest fitness chain in France in just five short years.  Mr. Hardy attended the University of Vermont, the University of Seville and the University of Alicante, where he received a BA in English and Spanish. Mr. Hardy has also been a guest lecturer at the St. Thomas School of Management for Entrepreneur studies.

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