Adam Edwards III named on Black Impact Magazine's 100 Entrepreneurs To Know

Adam Edwards, a Native Oklahoman and former NFL football player, has turned his passion for business into a successful Entrepreneurial machine. He graduated from Oklahoma State University with a B.S. in Business Management. He recently earned his MBA in Healthcare at Southern Nazarene, receiving the coveted international business induction of Delta Mu Delta for top academic achievement. Throughout his career, Adam has worked up the corporate ladder of Fortune 100 companies and embarked on exciting entrepreneurial opportunities. Since his days on the field, Adam has received several certifications, including Prior Authorization Certified Specialists, Certified Mergers and Acquisitions Specialists, Certified Tourism Ambassadors, Certified Medical Representatives, and Certified Franchise Executives. Additionally, Adam became a Certified Wine Maker and belonged to the U.S. Sommelier Association. As a Registered Broker Intermediary, Adam belongs to the International Business Broker’s Association. He strongly believes in the potential of franchising as a great business model for diversity. He advocates its features and benefits to athletes and entrepreneurs, constantly exploring new opportunities within the industry.

Adam first entertained his future in business by starting a lawn mowing service at 10. It was limited to his late father’s tools and the local neighborhood he lived in, but the experience taught Adam the value of honest hard work. After an early retirement due to injury while playing for the Dallas Cowboys in the early 2000s, Adam was determined to embark on a new career as a Philanthropist, Business Owner, and Community Servant. In 2003, Adam partnered with a team of NFL Alumni investors on his first business venture in Oklahoma. He quickly developed his charitable model in other locations, such as Washington D.C., Texas, Georgia, Indianapolis, and Pennsylvania. In 2008, his investment firm, The Nspire Group, procured the master franchise rights for Golden Heart Senior Care of Oklahoma, then built and sold the 18-unit master in less than two years. In 2015, Adam joined the Executive Team at Mrs. Winner’s Chicken and Biscuits as their Director of Franchise Development. He grew the unit structure by double-digits for the southeast region in the United States. Adam owns and operates iMatch Franchise, an independent franchise brokerage and low-to-mid-market mergers and acquisitions firm with over 20 years of award-winning experience. The firm represents over 400 brands and facilitates relationships between entrepreneurs and franchise concepts. Adam oversees recruitment, business development, valuations, market placement, and their highly effective match-making process. Looking to diversify his portfolio, Adam inked a deal to create a national market for Waters Edge Winery throughout the eastern portion of the United States as a distribution partner. On many occasions, Adam has been recognized with performance and philanthropy awards, making him a true “Trail-Blazer” as a successful African-American Winemaker and Business Owner. Adam also served as Senior M&A Advisor to Dippin’ Dots during their $222M sale to J&J Snack Foods and continues to be disclosed in Medi-Weight Loss Franchising, USA’s FDD, as a registered M&A Broker.

In 2023, Adam accepted a healthcare executive post with Sanofi Pasteur, a Global BioPharma Firm, overseeing their US Vaccine Market Access strategies. Since venturing into a life of corporate entrepreneurial endeavors, Adam has gained many lessons. “Empowerment and education are keys to a successful transition. I strongly advise interested athletes to gain industry knowledge and conduct intense research before getting involved in any business. Finishing your college degree will open many doors beyond your athletic career. Find a mentor to provide coaching and advice about career paths or franchise opportunities. This positive outlook is essential to achieving life goals beyond the GAME.”

In addition to his various business ventures, Adam is also an active community leader. In 2009, Adam sponsored the creation of an International Organization that feeds over 50 families monthly in Haiti and Guatemala. In 2011, Adam was appointed National Ambassador to a Medical Mission program named "Passion for Healing" in Nairobi, Kenya. In 2012, Adam was selected as a Lead Mentor for Blue Print 4 Business, a high-tech incubator for tomorrow's leaders. Adam was fortunate to partner with the Shark Tank's Daymond John on the "Venture Draft" where tech, athletes, and venture capital meet. Adam was selected by the Susan G. Komen Foundation to serve as their "Pink Tie Guy" and will help raise awareness around breast cancer prevention and early detection. Adam served as Vice Chairman of the Board for the Oklahoma AIDS Care Fund, an internationally backed, local initiative established over 35 years ago to provide education and resources for families and their loved ones affected by HIV and AIDS. As a direct result of Adam's charitable efforts, his organization received the 2016 Beacon Award for helping local charities raise more than $100,000.00.

In 2023, Sanofi Pasteur selected Adam as a finalist for the Global Humanitarian Award for his tireless work in US nonprofit community relations. Seeking to share his journey from Ballin to the Boardroom, Adam finds joy in serving as the NFL Oklahoma Chapter's Degree Completion Ambassador, where he helps former athletes complete their degrees at the university of their choice. Authenticity perfectly describes Adam, but his family is his most significant source of inspiration. His late father, Adam Jr., and mother, Shelia (a breast cancer survivor), contributed to the relentless work ethic, spiritual grounding, and community servant attitude he and his only brother, Alex (entrepreneur), covet and share.

Adam resides in Oklahoma and is married to his soulmate and business partner, Sarah. Adam enjoys spending quality time in the Bahamas or at their lake home with his daughter, Kaelen, close friends, and their family dogs outside of work. "I felt I had a solid purpose in life, but now I realize my purpose is to make this world a better place for my family, community, and corporate peers to grow up in."

Connect with Adam: www.imatchfranchiseandglobalinvestments.com