Demystifying Franchise Ownership

I know it’s been a little while since I last published an episode so I wanted to take a moment to connect with you all.  In this episode, I revisit why I started the podcast in the first place and why I’ve decided to hit pause for now.  When I first launched the show, my goal was to provide valuable insights and guidance about the franchise industry.   But as life evolves, so do priorities.  One o...

I had the pleasure of talking with Onyi Odunukwe, the CEO of Glo Tanning , on this episode.  Onyi's journey into the world of tanning began with his entrepreneurial spirit, from a supplement store franchise to building a successful tanning brand that now spans across 16 states.  Onyi shares how Glo Tanning stands out in a competitive market, offering not only UV and spray tanning but also inn...

Join me this week as I chat with Ron Holt, the two-time franchisor who is bringing a fresh, fun approach to moving through his brand, Pink Zebra Moving , after his success with Two Maids and A Mop.   Ron shares how he’s disrupting the moving industry by creating not just a service, but a culture—"Happy Moving”!  He explains how his mother-in-law's terrible moving experience became the in...

In this episode of “Demystifying Franchise Ownership”, I talk to Lowell Mora, a fractional CFO with over 30 years of experience.  As the founder of Impact CFO, Lowell offers strategic financial support to businesses that aren’t ready to hire a full-time CFO or don’t have a need for a full-time CFO.  We explore how fractional CFO services can benefit businesses, including franchisors and franchisee...

This episode covers franchisor training programs, an important topic, because franchisee training can make or break a franchise.  I recently saw this firsthand at a Pilates studio with outstanding instructor training.   It was evident from the start that the instructors benefited from a well-executed training program—they were clear, concise, and consistent.  Are you a franchisor noticing gaps wit...

In this episode, I’m exploring the importance of listening to franchisees.  I’m including an excerpt from my interview with Jeff Johnson, Founder and CEO of The Franchise Research Institute.  Jeff explains how their comprehensive surveys and data analysis help franchisors gain valuable insights into franchisee satisfaction, and why listening to your franchisees is critical to long-term success. Li...

In this episode, I revisit my interview with Aaron Cash, founder and President of Garage Living Franchise Systems, as he shares invaluable insights on their journey into franchising.  Aaron discusses Garage Living's decision to franchise their business and the crucial steps they took to ensure success.  From navigating legal compliance to securing franchisees and developing robust support sys...

Part two of my interview with Larry Stout is now live!  In this episode, we continue our conversation, exploring the origins of his current venture, Optimal teleHealth, LLC.  Larry shares the story behind his company, which offers an alternative to traditional health insurance. As a franchisee, Larry, like me, struggled with the high costs of offering competitive employee benefits like health insu...

Tune into my latest episode!  I had an illuminating conversation with Larry Stout, founder and CEO of Optimal teleHealth, LLC.  Larry, a former Massage Envy franchisee, achieved significant financial success and earned numerous accolades. However, he also opens up about a franchise venture that didn't go as planned, sharing valuable insights into the realities of franchise ownership.  We cove...

Your email inbox shouldn't be a storage unit!  Think of it like your mailbox at the end of your driveway: you don’t leave everything there!  This week, I interview Shawn Lemon, founder of The Digital Organizer. Don’t miss this episode because it’s packed with invaluable tips and insights from Shawn, who coaches his clients, including franchisors, to overcome chaos in the digital environment t...

This episode is an interesting sit-down with Chris Long, the visionary founder and CEO behind Longyards Storage.  We explored Chris' journey – from his background in the construction industry to the driving force that led him to establish Longyards.  His personal experience unveiled a gap in the market, igniting his passion to fill that gap. We talked about the core of Longyards' busines...

Join me for an enlightening conversation with Christina Fugate, partner at Ice Miller, as we delve into the latest trends in franchising.   Christina shares her expert insights on why we're seeing these trends and what they mean for the future of the industry.  From the booming sectors of personal services and QSRs to the evolving consumer demands and economic factors driving these changes, t...

Part 2 of my interview with Jeff Johnson is here, and it's packed with invaluable insights into the franchise industry!  Once again, we get real about franchise ownership, discussing the players you can rely on and those you should approach with caution.  Jeff shares his expertise on navigating this landscape, empowering franchisees to make informed decisions with confidence. One of the key h...

This episode features my interview with Jeff Johnson, Founder & CEO of The Franchise Research Institute.  With years of hands-on experience in the franchise industry, including his time as a Schlotzkey’s franchisee, Jeff offers invaluable insights into the franchise world.   We delve into his journey, uncovering the expertise he’s amassed over four decades in the franchise industry and the les...

This podcast episode features an informative conversation with David Sauers, one of the founders of Royal Restrooms.   In 2004, David and his partner identified a gap in the marketplace for executive-style mobile restrooms suitable for all kinds of venues and turned their vision into a thriving business. In this episode, we talk about David's unexpected journey into the world of franchising....

In this episode, I'm exploring an aspect of franchise ownership that sometimes gets overlooked: the franchisor's internal organizational structure.  Huge thanks to my recent podcast guest, Aaron Cash, for inspiring this topic. When I was exploring the world of franchise concepts, understanding the ins and outs of the franchisor's organizational structure wasn't on my radar.  Bu...

Exciting news!  Another episode of Demystifying Franchise Ownership is available today. In our conversation, Aaron Cash, the President of Garage Living Systems, talks about the characteristics of some of his most successful franchise partners.  You may be surprised to find out that Aaron doesn’t necessarily use revenues as a measure of success.  Aaron outlines the importance of self-awareness, hum...

Don't miss out on Part 2 of my conservation with Karen Abrams!  In this episode, we explore the pricing of commercial property, lease negotiation tactics, and the alignment between lease terms and franchise agreements.  Karen and I also discuss why it's critical to have legal counsel review your lease agreement. Karen's expertise shines through once again as she provides practical a...

Ready to explore the world of commercial leasing?  Join me as I explore this topic with my latest guest, Karen Abrams!  Karen is an attorney and head of the commercial leasing practice at Paris Ackerman, LLP.  Karen generously shares her legal knowledge as well as her firsthand experience as a franchisee, her views on the semi-absentee model, and the lowdown on personal guarantees.  From rookie le...

Calling all aspiring franchisees and business owners!  In my latest podcast episode, I’m exploring the world of leasing brick-and-mortar spaces for your business.  In this episode, I'm sharing my firsthand lessons learned, covering essential considerations before you embark on property hunting, key factors to evaluate once you've identified potential properties, and actionable steps to t...

Step into the latest episode of "Demystifying Franchise Ownership," where I continue my conversation with Bennett Maxwell, Chairman of Dirty Dough Cookies!  In this episode, we talk about the way in which Bennett grew his personal brand on his social media platforms including LinkedIn.  Thanks to Bennett's extensive social media presence, he’s attracted franchisees directly through...

This is Part 1 of my interview with Bennett Maxwell, the Chairman of Dirty Dough.  Bennett shares Dirty Dough’s story including one of their missions:  "finding joy and fulfillment despite life's messiness.”  Bennett's perspective on navigating life’s challenges while still embracing joy is truly motivating.   Bennett and I also explore how Dirty Dough is reducing the barriers of en...

What do you know about franchise sectors and how do you determine which sector is the right fit for you?  Tune into this episode where I talk about some of the most common franchise sectors and arm you with knowledge which will help you identify the best sector for you. Choosing the right franchise sector is akin to finding your niche in the vast entrepreneurial landscape.   It's not just abo...

Introducing the latest episode of "Demystifying Franchise Ownership"!  Join me as I cover the topic of grit – a trait essential for success in the franchise world.  Inspired by insights from previous guests like Kirsten Ramos and Nora Farhat, I explore what grit truly means and how it impacts your journey as a franchisee. So why is grit necessary for franchisees?  While franchising offer...

Part two of my interview with the amazing Nora Farhat is now live!   We dove deeper into why being a franchise owner is a game-changer for women and why Nora advocates for owning multiple franchise brands. Nora shares invaluable insights on being an entrepreneur and franchise owner.  Plus, she sprinkles the conversation with gems of wisdom like the importance of engaging with people in a way they...