On Brand Slightly Off Topic

In this episode of  On Brand, Slightly Off Topic , Alex Berkovsky, Founder and CEO of Kids United, shares the personal and professional journey that led him from technology and global telecom into the world of youth sports franchising. After years in IT, Alex found himself searching for more meaningful work and discovered the power of community, systems, and culture through his experience as an Or...

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Tim Weiderhoft, CEO of Exponential Fitness, shares his journey into franchising and the leadership philosophy that has shaped his career. Influenced by strong mentorship and early experiences in customer-focused roles, Tim emphasizes a people-first approach rooted in empathy, continuous improvement, and service. He highlights the impact of mentorshi...

In this episode, Rebekah Irvine shares her background and what led her into franchising, including the key experiences that shaped her approach to leadership and growth. She breaks down what she’s seeing in the market right now—what’s working, what’s changing, and where emerging operators should focus to build momentum. Rebekah also offers practical takeaways on building the right support systems,...

In this episode of  On Brand, Slightly Off Topic , Jonathan Hill sits down with Wil Bangerter, Founder & CEO of Back Nine Golf, an entrepreneur who walked away from a career in law to pursue a vision that simply wouldn’t let him go. Wil opens up about the leap from attorney to founder, the steep learning curve of building a golf brand from scratch, and the realities of chasing a dream when not...

In this episode of  On Brand, Slightly Off Topic ,  Clement Troutman  shares his journey through leadership, development, and operational growth in franchising. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, he discusses the importance of building systems that scale, emphasizing how training, consistency, and accountability help franchise teams thrive. Clement highlights the power of authentic leadershi...

In this episode of  On Brand, Slightly Off Topic , Jonathan Hill sits down with  CJ McPhail , Co-Founder & CEO of  Outsider Coffee  in Pendleton, South Carolina. CJ and his wife, Lindsey, have built a coffee brand that pairs great caffeine with a clear mission—championing kindness, authenticity, and real human connection. Drawing on his background as an ordained pastor, speaker, and autism adv...

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Carey Gille, Co-Founder and CEO of Franchise FastLane, the #1 franchise sales organization in the country. Carey shares her incredible journey as a serial entrepreneur, from building and selling multiple startups—including ItsDeductible, later acquired by Intuit—to leading the charge in franchising with FastLane. She opens up about the challenges and l...

Summary In this episode, we sit down with Bron Launsby, Founder & CEO of Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor, waterless slide park. Bron shares his journey from being one of the largest franchisees in the Sky Zone trampoline system to launching a brand-new concept that’s redefining family entertainment.   We talk about the inspiration behind Slick City, what it takes to scale a pa...

Summary In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Dana Edwards Manatos, Founder & CEO of Milkshake Factory, to dive into the incredible 110-year legacy of her family business and how she’s transformed it into a modern-day franchise success story. Dana shares the inspiring journey from her great-grandparents’ corner candy shop in Pittsburgh to the national expansion of Milkshake Factory tod...

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with  Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands , to discuss her remarkable journey in franchising and leadership. Catherine shares her personal story of resilience, from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the most respected executives in the franchise industry. She reflects on her early experiences in family business, the lessons learned from build...

In this episode, Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve, shares her journey from shaping some of the fitness industry’s most iconic at-home workout programs to leading one of today’s fastest-growing, female-led fitness brands. Julie discusses the evolution of Pvolve, its unique approach to functional fitness, and how partnerships like the one with Jennifer Aniston have propelled the brand forward....

In this episode, we’re joined by former NFL safety VernonScott and Steven Sgroi , Founder & CEO of Franthlete , toexplore what life looks like after professional sports—and how franchisingoffers a powerful path forward. Vernon shares his journey from Texas highschool football to the NFL and now, his transition into entrepreneurship withhis first business: a Hydralive Therapy franchise. Togethe...

In this episode, we sit down with Piersten Gaines, Founderand CEO of Pressed Roots, the first national luxury blowout bar createdspecifically for highly textured hair. Piersten shares how her personalexperiences led to the launch of a brand that’s redefining inclusivity in thebeauty industry. From early pop-up salons to opening the flagship Pressed Rootslocation just days before the pandemic shutd...

Summary In this episode, Shane Evans, co-founder and CEO of HeightsWellness Retreat, shares her journey into the wellness industry, the evolutionof wellness perspectives, and the challenges faced in the early days of MassageHeights. She discusses the keys to long-term franchise success, innovations intouchless therapies, and the future of self-care and wellness. Shane alsohighlights the impact of...

Summary In this episode, Tim Vogel, CEO of Scent Hound, shares hisjourney from starting a mobile dog grooming business to creating a franchisethat focuses on dog wellness. He discusses the challenges of scaling abusiness, the importance of validation in franchising, and the need for astrong culture to empower teams. Tim emphasizes the significance of caring fordogs beyond just grooming, highlighti...

Summary In this episode, we sit down with Rob Price, President of Youth Enrichment Brands(YEB), to explore his journey through some of the biggest names in retail andfranchising — from CVS and Edible Arrangements to School of Rock and now YEB.Rob shares lessons learned across his dynamic career, his philosophy onpurpose-driven leadership, and how his love for music continues to influencehis work a...

Summary In this episode, Red Boswell, President of the InternationalFranchise Professionals Group (IFPG), takes us inside the world of franchisedevelopment and consulting. With decades of experience as an entrepreneur,franchisor, and industry leader, Red shares how IFPG connects franchisors,franchisees, and consultants to drive business success. From the strategiesbehind franchise expansion to the...

Summary In this episode, Van Ingram, Vice President of Franchise Development for Jack in the Box and Del Taco, shares his wealth of experience gained over two decades in the franchise industry. From his career journey across iconic brands to the strategies behind securing significant growth, Van provides valuable insights into what drives success in franchising. Discover the innovative Have Analys...

Summary In this inspiring episode, Megin and Matt Sharp, founders of KidStrong, share their journey from a personal mission to empower their daughter to creating a nationwide franchise dedicated to building physical and emotional strength in children. They dive into the challenges of scaling a business, the impact of KidStrong on families, and how they maintained community support during the COVID...

Summary In this episode, Jason Olsen, founder and CEO of Image Studios, shares his entrepreneurial journey from starting his first business at 16 to leading one of the fastest-growing salon suite franchises in the U.S. He discusses the qualities that make a great franchisee, the challenges of site selection and construction, and the resilience of the beauty industry during economic downturns. Jaso...

Summary In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Roger Martin, Founder and CEO of ThriveMore Brands, to delve into the journey of a seasoned entrepreneur in the franchise industry. Roger shares his path to building ThriveMore Brands, exploring challenges in franchising, strategies for effective branding and marketing, and the art of building high-performing sales teams. He offers insights on...

Summary In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Alex Yeater , Area Representative for Ever Bowl , to explore his journey as an entrepreneur and his role in driving the growth of the acai bowl franchise. Alex discusses the exciting partnership between Ever Bowl and NFL legend Drew Brees , the brand's rapid expansion, and the key strategies behind its success.   Alex shares his passion for hea...

Summary In this episode, Steve Smith, the founder of HOTWORX, shares the story behind creating one of the most innovative fitness franchises in the industry. He explains how HOTWORX integrates technology, automation, and infrared heat to provide a truly unique workout experience. Steve also talks about the development of Hot Stretch, a stretching routine turned full workout, and the growing popula...

Summary In this episode, Jason Fechter, CEO of IV Nutrition, dives into the rapid growth and success of the IV Nutrition franchise. He sheds light on the personalized nature of IV therapy, explaining how customized IV bags are tailored to individual deficiencies, and dispels the common misconception that IV therapy is only for hangovers or the sick. Jason also discusses his entrepreneurial journey...

Summary In this episode, Ace Rodrigues, founder and CEO of Pickleball Kingdom, dives into the rapid rise of pickleball and how his brand has become a leader in the sport. Ace explores why the sport’s shallow learning curve and strong social aspect have fueled its growing popularity, and how Pickleball Kingdom has differentiated itself by building a brand rooted in values and community.   Ace share...