Currently COO of Goldfish Swim School, has spent over 20 years in the franchise industry.  At Goldfish he and his team are focussed on opening schools with excellence, improving same school sales, and investing in franchisee relationships.  Previously, Mike was part of the founding management team of Franworth and served as the company’s first Chief Operating Officer and an Operating Partner.  He led the development and deployment of franchise operating systems across multiple Franworth brands and is particularly interested in the intersection of personal relationships, operating processes and technology in franchising.

He joined Ann Arbor-based Service Brands International in 2003 and ultimately oversaw franchise development for its Molly Maid and DUCTZ brands.  He worked alongside IFA Entrepreneur of the Year John Rotche to help form the Belfor Franchise Group, parent company to DUCTZ and HOODZ, and served there as Vice President beginning in 2010. With his systemization, DUCTZ and HOODZ each grew into the largest in their industry within three years. He was recruited as Vice President of TITLE Boxing Club International in 2012 and ultimately rose to Chief Operating Officer; Mike designed and implemented a franchise operations structure to take the company from an emerging regional concept to an international brand and Inc. Magazine’s fastest growing franchise in under 2 years.

He is an International Franchise Association Certified Franchise Executive and was honored by Crain’s Detroit Business 40 under 40 awards.  Skitzki frequently speaks at industry events. Together with John Rotche, Mike co-authored the book Reach, which explores mentorship, leadership and entrepreneurship.