Behind the Franchise

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Alex Gilleland, Brand Manager at Dryer Vent Superheroes. Alex shares how growing up in franchising shaped his data-driven mindset and why ROI-first thinking, localization, and trust-building content outperform flashy campaigns every time. From running ads for major brands like Sport Clips and Cold Stone to leading marketing for a fast-growing home...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Sherif Mityas, CEO of BRIX Holdings, to unpack a career that spans aerospace engineering, big-box retail, Hollywood Video, TGI Fridays, and now an eight-brand restaurant portfolio with more than 300 locations. Sherif shares how cross-brand insights, consumer occasion mapping, and franchisee passion shape BRIX’s growth playbook — and why understand...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Heather Ripley, founder and CEO of Ripley PR. Heather shares her journey from early copywriting days to becoming one of franchising’s top PR voices — including how she landed a home-service brand on Celebrity Apprentice and helped founders sell their companies by mastering media momentum. From overcoming repeated ‘no’s’ from TV producers to buildi...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Gavin Lantzy, Head of Franchise Sales at Daisy. Gavin shares his journey from college-age multi-unit franchisee to helping build the largest smart-home installation brand in the country. From acquiring 17 companies in 18 months to building a national support infrastructure with 41 full-time experts, he pulls back the curtain on what it really take...

In this episode, Paul Ehlinger sits down with Evan Hackel of Ingage Consulting to explore the nuances of franchise leadership, growth, and organizational purpose. Evan shares insights from his 40-year career in franchising, including and launching businesses, rescuing a bankrupt franchise, and building purpose-driven organizations. He emphasizes the importance of vision, collaboration, and engagin...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Jami Stigliano, founder and CEO of DivaDance. Jami shares her journey from coaching dance teams in Austin to creating a national dance franchise built around confidence and community. She opens up about rebuilding her system, embracing EOS, and learning to delegate as her company scales — all while balancing motherhood, marriage, and massive brand...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Brittney Lincoln, VP of Franchise Growth at Limitless Franchise Growth and founder of Females in Franchising. Brittney shares her journey from selling franchises to scaling major brands like Club Pilates and StretchLab, revealing the strategies — and lessons learned — behind growing a franchise network from 10 to 500+ units. Listeners will hear: H...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with James Luy, co-founder of The Franchise Dept. and partner at Bin Blasters. James shares his journey scaling innovative franchise concepts and how technology, including AI automation tools, is transforming the way franchisors grow, operate, and support their franchisees. From cleaning garbage bins to creating scalable, profitable home service system...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Dan Sher of AlphaGraphics for the past 18 years. Dan shares his journey from a PR agency director to a seasoned franchisee, explaining how his marketing and technology background helped him thrive in the world of print and marketing communications. From leveraging peer networks to adopting emerging technologies like AI, Dan reveals the strategies...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Beth Toenies, Vice President of Franchise Development at BELFOR Franchise Group. Beth shares her journey from a journalism graduate to becoming president of a company at just 26, and now leading growth across 15 powerhouse brands in restoration and home services. From navigating male-dominated industries to embracing AI in franchising, Beth’s stor...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Rick Peroe, a franchise veteran with decades of experience in system support, training, and franchise development. Rick shares his journey from a short-term seasonal role to leading franchise expansion at Heart to Home Meals, and reveals the insights that have shaped his approach to franchising. Listeners will hear: How Rick “fell into franchising...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Derick Jaros, owner of Customboxes.io and former executive at Home Depot, Yext, and other Fortune 500 companies. Derick shares how his career journey — from corporate strategy and e-commerce leadership to launching his own digital services firm — shaped his philosophy on growth, local marketing, and creating meaningful customer experiences. Listen...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Leah Pinkes, Franchise Marketing Coordinator at Oh Deer, an all-natural deer tick and mosquito control service franchise. Leah shares her journey from intern to full-time marketing lead and dives into the strategies behind building an authentic, community-focused social media presence across multiple franchise locations. From viral content to loca...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Bennett Maxwell, CEO of Franchise KI. Bennett shares his journey from door-to-door sales to scaling one of the fastest-growing cookie brands in America. From selling 450 franchises in less than two years to navigating lawsuits, he reveals the strategies — and lessons learned — behind building and scaling at lightning speed. Listeners will hear: Ho...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Vanessa Yakobson, CEO and partner of Blo Blow Dry Bar, LashKind, and MYNC. Vanessa shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to leading one of North America’s largest beauty and wellness franchise systems. From pioneering the blow dry bar category to scaling with customer experience at the core, she reveals how Blo continues to evolve while st...

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Erika Wilson, CMO at Sound Income Group, a parent company supporting financial advisors through multiple subsidiaries, including a national franchise brand. Erika shares her journey from traditional advertising into the financial services world and how she built a marketing approach that balances creativity with the strict compliance of a regulate...

In this episode, host Paul Elinger sits down with Megan Stewart, partner at The Grow CMO, a marketing consultancy that helps brands in periods of rapid growth or transition. Megan shares how her background in journalism and storytelling informs her approach to marketing, blending data-driven performance with creative brand-building. Listeners will hear: How Megan balances performance marketing wit...

In this episode, host Paul Elinger sits down with Ethan Grob, co-founder and CEO of Another 9, a fully automated, 24/7 indoor golf simulator franchise. Ethan shares how his background in technology, retail, and product development inspired him to reimagine golf as a seamless, tech-driven, and approachable experience. Listeners will hear: How Another 9 blends digital booking and smart access with a...

In this powerhouse episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX, to talk about the wild ride from SWAT commander to franchise titan. Adam shares the gritty realities of leadership, the psychology behind overcoming fear, how to navigate challenging franchisee dynamics, and why AI is already reshaping the future of franchising. Whether you'...

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dan & Ashley, the husband-and-wife duo behind Pet Bar, the fast-growing pet grooming franchise known as the “Disney World for dogs.” From closing their tanning salons to launching their first Pet Bar in 2015, Dan & Ashley share how a personal grooming need for their schnauzer turned into a booming pet grooming business with over 30 locations. In t...

In this inspiring Behind the Franchise episode, Julie Harrell, President of Cooper’s Scoopers, shares her unlikely journey from healthcare management to building one of the fastest‑growing mobile pet waste removal franchises in the U.S. Julie explains how she discovered a deeper purpose in the “poop business”—educating pet owners about environmental health, supporting franchisees with meaningful s...

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Fred Hassen and Alfredo Rivera, the powerhouse duo behind Sit Means Sit, one of the largest dog training franchises in North America. From Fred’s unexpected entry into the dog world at age 40 to building a 170+ location business, they share an unfiltered look at the grit, growth, and guiding principles that built their empi...

In this powerful episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with industry powerhouse Sally Facinelli, CFE, a 29-year veteran in franchising. Sally shares the raw, real, and inspiring journey that’s defined her career — from international expansion in the dot-com era to leading high-growth franchise brands and shaping the future of female leadership in the space. 🔥 Key Topics Co...

Join Paul Ehlinger on Behind the Franchise as he sits down with Tim Vogel of Scenthound to uncover the behind-the-scenes tactics of scaling a data-driven pet care empire. From launching a single grooming van to building a network of 150+ franchise locations, Tim reveals how proprietary AI and longitudinal dog-health data are disrupting the pet wellness industry. Expect candid insights on overcomin...

In this episode of Behind the Franchise , host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Brooke Janousek, current CMO of Garage Experts and founder of The Grow CMO, for a deep dive into the realities of marketing leadership in franchising. Brooke shares her transition from running a thriving fractional CMO consultancy to taking on a full-time executive role—and why she made that move. Learn how she helped impl...