Business Stories for Small Business

What happens when culinary education meets entrepreneurship and child development? In this episode, I sit down with Leigh Feldman, CEO of Young Chefs Academy , to explore how the brand is inspiring children through hands-on cooking experiences while building a thriving franchise community across the country. Leigh shares the mission behind Young Chefs Academy, the impact cooking can have on confid...

Joe Queer, frontman of the iconic punk band The Queers , joins the podcast to talk about four decades of making unapologetic, Ramones-inspired punk rock. From the early DIY days to their cult following, Joe gets candid about music, culture, personal growth. From his close relationship to Joey Ramone to his drive to always put out great music. Joe is an inspiration to us all. 

In this powerful and deeply moving episode, Rob Greene , a U.S. Navy veteran, shares the life-altering story of how surviving an attempted suicide became the unexpected turning point in his journey toward peace, purpose, and true happiness. We dive into the everyday struggles that so many of us silently face — and Rob opens up about what it really takes to dig deep, heal, and start living with int...

Aaron Carnes joins the podcast to talk about his mission to reframe the conversation around ska music and his writing career. As a veteran journalist and former ska-punk drummer, Aaron brings firsthand knowledge and critical insight to his book, " In Defense of Ska." We discuss the genre's rich history, its cultural significance, and what it tells us about how we frame music history and some of th...

What if franchise ownership didn’t require six figures up front—or running the business yourself? Kenny Rose, founder and CEO of Franshares.com , is flipping the script on how people invest and build wealth. His platform is making franchise ownership accessible through fractional investing, allowing everyday people to co-own real, cash-flowing businesses—without the traditional barriers. In this e...

What if your old leads were actually your best leads? In this episode, I sit down with Daniel Popple, CFC at Paradigm Franchising , who used Clienttether to close three franchise deals—in under a year. How’d he do it? Spoiler: it wasn’t magic… it was automation, consistency, and a willingness to learn. Here’s what we break down: ✅ How Daniel reengaged cold leads using simple automation—and why co...

How do you build a home service business that doesn't depend on you? In this episode, I'm joined by Frank Dew with Adversity Consultants , an expert in scaling lean home service operations, to explore how solo operators and small teams can grow without burning out. We cover the exact tools and systems that allow you to create the appearance and efficiency of a much larger company, all while freein...

Thinking about buying a franchise—but not sure where to start? Franchise consultant Alex Monteiro from RevRatel joins the show to share how he helps franchise candidates navigate the process with confidence. From evaluating franchise models to avoiding costly missteps, Alex offers a candid look at what it really takes to choose the right franchise and build a business that fits your goals and life...

This short episode is designed to help franchise consultants, franchisors, and even small business owners learn how Clienttether can really help them grow their business. We dive into several distinct elements that factor into your business success and how Clienttether enables them.  To learn more visit: clienttether.com

This six minute "Deep Dive" will help you better understand the rules and regulations around text message compliance for businesses enforced by the US Government. Getting caught in violation could cost your business thousands of dollars, if not more.  If you found this helpful, please share with someone else you could benefit from it.  *Disclaimer: This was recorded in July 2025 and these rules ar...

In this episode, I sit down with Philip Delgado , the founder of Apex Board & Ride Co. and Brian Kuhlman, CFC , to explore how they're reshaping the skate and surf retail experience. Apex isn’t just selling scooters, skateboards, and more—they’re curating high-performance gear for athletes and hobbyists that deserve more. Brian shares the story behind this "first of it's kind" brand, the cultu...

Aprille Noble is a veteran with a passion for helping people live the American Dream of owning their own home. With the "4th of July" Holiday right around the corner, I thought it was fitting to bring Aprille on to share her story and how she is inspiring others to own a home, build wealth, and thrive despite the "doom and gloom" news of economic uncertainty out there.  Aprille shares how she empo...

In this episode, I sit down with Amy and Will Seben, the dynamic duo behind Seben Franchise Consulting . With a combined background in franchise ownership and corporate leadership, Amy and Will now help aspiring entrepreneurs find the perfect franchise opportunity aligned with their lifestyle, values, and financial goals. We explore the myths and truths of franchising, how they guide clients throu...

In this episode, I sit down with Chad Fullmer , a driven entrepreneur and proud franchisee of Crisp & Green , the fast-growing healthy fast-casual brand redefining how communities eat. Chad shares his journey from employee to franchise ownership, offering valuable insights into what it takes to succeed in the competitive health food and restaurant space. From navigating brand alignment to buil...

In this episode, I sit down with Loana Perez , the founder of TeaCupFuls , to explore how she turned her love for boba tea into a vibrant and visually stunning brand. Loana shares how she’s crafted unique drink experiences, built a loyal customer base through positivity and fun, and navigated the challenges of standing out in the rapidly growing boba industry. Get ready to sip on some serious busi...

In this episode, Ryan sits down with Tracy McCubbin, Founder of dClutterfly and author of Making Space, Clutter-Free , to unpack the emotional roots of clutter and how to break free from it. With over a decade of experience helping people transform their homes and lives, Tracy shares practical strategies, surprising truths about our attachment to stuff, and how creating space can lead to greater h...

This is a special edition "Deep Dive" audio version of my Franchise Consultant Survival guide. If reading eBooks is not your thing, this audio version will give you some ideas and tactics to take your franchise consulting practice to the next level. Get ready to save time, shorten your deal cycle, and create more efficiency in your business.  I'm here to help you exceed your goals and not feel "ov...

I used this amazing tool called "Google Notebook LM" to generate this podcast from our Clienttether "Speed 2 Lead" eBook! If you'd rather listen than read, this episode is full of actionable steps to help your franchise consulting business get to the next level.  If you want the eBook shoot me an email at ryan@clienttether.com! Here's a link to check out Google Notebook LM too! Thanks for your con...

Today’s guest is someone who turned sweet success into a passion for helping others launch their dream businesses. Marc Cole is a Senior Consultant with The You Network , and he’s on a mission to guide aspiring entrepreneurs toward the right franchise fit. From B2B gifting to franchise matchmaking, Marc brings heart, clarity, and a deep belief in knowing your ‘why’ before making any major move. If...

Tom Scarda, franchise expert and author of The Magic of Choosing Uncertainty , joins the show to share how he went from civil service to building and selling a successful franchise—and now helps others do the same. We dive into how to find the right franchise, avoid common mistakes, and why franchising is more about lifestyle than loving a product. Whether you're stuck in a corporate job or dreami...

In this episode, I sit down with Deene Yenchochic , a BAI consultant power user of Clienttether , to unpack how this all-in-one CRM platform has transformed the way she runs her consulting business . From automations that never let leads fall through the cracks, to features that actually make you money—Deene shares the exact tools, stories, and workflows that drive her daily success. Whether you’r...

Sean  Bush isn’t just the Chief  Sales  Officer at Bush Consulting LLC —he’s the field‑boots coach who hops on planes to help franchisees close bigger tickets and streamline ops. In this episode Ryan digs into Sean’s battle‑tested tactics for turning leads into lifetime fans, scaling SOPs, and building A‑player crews that love showing up on Monday. Expect zero fluff and tons of swipe‑worthy nugget...

In this episode, I sit down with Jonathan Aufray , the CEO and co-founder of Growth Hackers, a digital agency helping startups and scaleups unlock sustainable, long-term growth. With nearly a decade of experience helping companies around the world accelerate their growth through inbound marketing, lead generation, and conversion strategies, Jonathan shares how businesses can ditch vanity metrics,...

What happens after the final whistle blows? For many retired athletes, the next chapter begins in business — and franchising is one of the smartest moves they can make. Steven Gardener & Ty Brewster founders of FranReal , joins us to talk about how they're creating a streamlined way to discover, vet, and invest in franchise opportunities in real estate. We explore why franchising is a perfect...

Travis Cook, Sales VP at Franchise Ventures , joins the show to break down the world of lead generation —how it works, who it’s for, and how his platform is helping thousands of aspiring entrepreneurs find the perfect business opportunity and helping franchise brands grow. We explore how brands and consultants should approach their lead generation, how essential it is to have the right processes,...