The Training Effect

In this episode of The Training Effect , Doug Mark sits down with Dave Levesque to explore what it really takes to build high-performing franchise operations and leadership cultures that scale. Dave shares his journey from becoming an 18-year-old franchise owner to leading operations for major franchise brands across North America. Together, they discuss franchise growth, coaching and accountabili...

Most franchise training programs fail because they treat onboarding as a one-time event instead of an ongoing development system. Jeremy Morgan, Group President of Horsepower Brands, has spent nearly two decades proving there is a better way. In this episode, Jeremy reveals how he has launched several hundred franchisees into home services by building training systems that balance urgency with emp...

What does it take to build teams that don't just perform but truly excel in a franchise environment? MK Piacentini-Kao, Studio and Field Training Manager at Heyday, shares how she bridges the gap between corporate standards and frontline execution across 36 locations nationwide. From spending 16-20 hours a week on the front desk to implementing "Thriving Studios" workshops, MK reveal...

What separates thriving franchise systems from struggling ones? It starts with understanding that franchisees are not buying a playbook. They are buying into a network, a support system, and a business coach who shows up in their backyard. In this episode, Kristin Del Sontro, Director of Operations at Retro Fitness, shares how 20 years of retail leadership prepared her to revolutionize franchise o...

In this episode of The Training Effect, host Doug Mark sits down with Katin Keirstead, Vice President of Operations at The Junk Luggers and Certified Franchise Executive, to explore what it takes to build training systems that can scale from hundreds to thousands of locations while maintaining quality and driving real business outcomes. Katin shares her journey from education and adult learning in...

In this episode of The Training Effect , host Douglas Mark is joined by Chris Allen, founder of Vennspring and former visionary behind LearningZen, for a deep dive into why even great business systems break, and what can be done to fix them. From multi-layered government contracts to million-user training platforms, Chris brings real-world experience on how to move from complexity to clarity. Toge...

In this episode of The Training Effect, host Douglas Mark sits down with Nick Pope, Chief AI Officer at Stay In Your Lane and Train In Your Lane, to cut through the AI noise and provide practical guidance for franchise owners. From a background in corporate sales to becoming an AI leader, Nick shares the unique lessons he's learned about making artificial intelligence accessible and actionable...

In this episode of The Training Effect , host Douglas Mark sits down with Carrie Pratt, Franchise Liaison at Corporate Cleaning Group, to unpack how structured training systems empower franchises to scale without sacrificing quality. From a background in social work to leading operations at a national commercial cleaning brand, Carrie shares the unique lessons she's learned along the way. They...

In this powerhouse episode of The Training Effect , host Douglas Mark sits down with Red Boswell , President of IFPG, to explore what’s really driving success in today’s franchise landscape, and what’s holding some brands back. From fourth-grade pencil hustler to leading one of the most influential networks in franchising, Red brings energy, wisdom, and a whole lot of insight into how brands grow,...

In this episode of The Training Effect , host Douglas Mark sits down with Corey Criss , Director of Franchise Training at The Dog Stop, to unpack how one of the fastest-growing pet care brands in the country is using structured training to scale without sacrificing quality. From a chance encounter in a retail shop to leading training for a 38-location brand, Corey shares how he transformed his bac...

Douglas Mark sits down with Faizun Kamal , CEO of Strategic Franchise Growth Advisors, bestselling author, and one of franchising’s most respected voices. From corporate burnout to transforming the franchise journey for hundreds of clients, Faizun shares how true franchise success goes beyond units sold or revenue, it starts with intention, trust, and exceptional support . Together, they unpack th...

Welcome to The Training Effect. T he podcast where learning drives operational excellence. Hosted by Douglas Mark, President of Learning Zen, this show takes you inside conversations with top franchisors, multi-unit operators, and industry leaders who’ve mastered the art of scaling through training. Hear real stories, proven strategies, and exclusive insights you won’t find anywhere else. Join a c...