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You can often catch Alex Valladares approaching women atsupermarkets. But his wife need not worry: It's part of hisjob-scouting out locations for Lady of America by finding women whoare eager for the women-only fitness centers. Accumulating 11centers since 1994, the 34-year-old franchisee boasts,"I've mastered the ability to open a location."
This confidence came in handy in the beginning, as Valladaresstarted out with "pretty much nothing." Born in Cuba, hecame to Florida at age 14. After earning a degree in accounting andworking in that industry for a year, he realized his aspirationslay elsewhere-leading him to a Lady of America franchise show,where, he says, "there was immediate chemistry between me andthe company."
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