Pursuit of Profit: The Franchise Business Podcast

Episode 69: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Jessi Brelsford, founder of Taste Buds Kitchen franchise. We talk about how Jessi, a D1 swimmer, Harvard grad, and former Wall Street banker left it all behind to start Taste Buds Kitchen. She has 25 locations across the country averaging $700K+ in revenue. Her goal: to have 200 franchise locations in the next five years....

Episode 68: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Mike Bahun, founder and CEO of Fundraising University franchise - quickly becoming the industry leader in school sports fundraising. They've raised $270M+ helping over 2,700 high schools across the country. As a franchise, it's less than $100K investment, it's a no employee and no brick and mortar business that can genera...

Episode 67: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Brigham Dallas, founder and CEO of Hello Sugar franchise. We talk about a disruptor in the hair removal business, how AI is replacing the receptionist, and how to start this franchise in a salon suite for under $150K. With 64% automation in a service business, Brigham is super sharp and knows his business well. Take a lis...

Episode 66: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Russ Jundt, founder of Conserva Irrigation franchise. We discuss how they became the largest irrigation franchise in the U.S. with revenues over $750K and how their process helps consumers save up to 60% in water usage. Take a listen! ----- Timestamps: 05:27 - How Conserva started 10:42 - How Russ garnered new clients 24:...

Episode 65: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Hao Lam, founder of Best In Class tutoring. We discuss Hao's inspiring story from refugee to entrepreneur, why parents in the U.S. are frustrated with the education system and what sets Best In Class tutoring apart from the competition. Take a listen... ----- Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:20 - Hao's morning routine 06:26 -...

Episode 64: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Holly Murry, president of FRST Team. We talk about how Holly rose through the company from field tech to president in her 30 year career. How national vendor programs have become 50% of their revenue with locations averaging over $2M, and how this growing and affordable franchise still has wide open territories across the...

Episode 63: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with George Kuan, founder and CEO of Bang Cookies. George talks about disrupting the cookie space with his all natural and organic ingredients, giving back to communities through a fundraising platform, his 3-point theory for creating a successful cookie business, and plans for future product launches. Enjoy the show! ----- Ti...

Episode 62: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk with Dave Mattson, president of franchising and executive chairman of Sandler. They talk about how Dave was a client of Sandler in the 80's to becoming the president and largest shareholder. How Sandler became one of the world's leading experts in sales and leadership training. Enjoy the show! ----- Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 0...

Episode 61: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin talk about what happens when your business/franchise fails. They'll talk about different risk mitigation strategies, negotiating with different businesses and landlords, and how to manage emotions during difficult times. This is valuable advice if you're thinking about going into franchising. Take a listen! ----- Timestamps: 00:00...

Episode 60: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin speak with Kay and Joseph Barker, founders of Musicologie. We discuss how kids benefit from learning music, how the Barkers went from touring the country in a vegetable oil-fueled bus to becoming entrepreneurs. Take a listen! ----- Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 05:44 - The Musicologie method 09:50 - Kay & Joseph's musical backgroun...

Episode 59: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin speak with Bob Lang, president of Blue Moon Estate Sales. We discuss an asymmetrical investment and the lowest investment we've had on the show to date. How this business benefits from the silver tsunami and how this low investment, work from home, low labor model is now producing seven figures in revenue. Enjoy this episode! -----...

Episode 58: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin speak with Andy Bell, founder and CEO of Ace Handyman Services. We discuss his 2019 acquisition by Ace Hardware, how the aging DIYers and the new "Do It For Me'rs" are creating the perfect storm for his brand, how a $500 million is expected to reach $1 billion by 2033 - a 16% CAGR, and why you don't need to be handy to invest in th...

Episode 57: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin speak with Matt Grabowski, multi-brand and multi-unit franchisee. We talk about how he went from an energy and commodities trader to franchising. How Covid made Matt pivot to non-brick and mortar brands. We discuss his investments and advice on Orange Theory Fitness, Brothers That Just Do Gutters, Smash My Trash and Heavyweight Was...

Episode 56: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with John Erlandson, co-founder and president of Soccer Stars. We discuss how they acquired an existing business and use franchising to scale it across the country, how they grew their corporate locations to $18 million. We discuss the underserved market and how the bulk of their revenue comes from ages 8 and under. Take a lis...

Episode 55: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with Jesse Johnstone, president of Fibrenew. We talk about how Fibrenew became the largest leather, vinyl and plastic restoration company in the world, how their niche business saves people money and the environment. We discuss the many revenue options from automotive to aviation, and why this is the right brand for someone wh...

Episode 54: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff speaks with Kathy and Ernie Padalino, founders of Cool-Binz. They talk about how they disrupted an $11 billion industry, how a hurricane in 2017 forced them to innovate, create, and patent the first to market climate controlled storage unit, how their idea took off and is being used for more than storage and their recent acquisition by Belfor,...

Episode 53: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Justin and Cliff speak with Tony Westbrock, Founder and CEO of NZone Sports. We discuss the business opportunity in the youth and adult organized sports market. We talk about the ramifications of our sedentary children. The problem with current sports leagues. And why this is an attractive opportunity for someone who wants to make a positive impact...

Episode 52: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Justin and Cliff speak with Jason Gilboa, co-founder and CEO of Facialworks. Jason talks about disrupting the $100 billion skincare market, their commitment to clean skincare products, and how this young brand has received nationally recognized awards for their facial services. Listen to why you should consider investing in membership models. -----...

Episode 51: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Justin speaks with Kathy Livingston, co-founder and president of Oliver's Nannies. We talk about how Oliver's Nannies is filling a void in the underserved childcare space. The importance of optimizing your marketing spend in a targeted area. And why Oliver's Nannies could be a great alternative to staffing or senior care franchises. Take a listen.....

Episode 50: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit, Cliff and Justin take time to discuss why they're advising clients to stay away from fitness and food, how minimum wage and inflation increases have affected profitability in an already razor thin margin business, suffering from issues like retention and slow growth, and why a written investment discipline is so important in this slowing economy. Y...

Episode 49: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with Josh Kattenberg, a Real Property Management Express franchisee based in Sioux Falls, SD. We discuss how he built a $14 million company with no money and no industry experience. Why operating in a small market can have huge advantages. Why property management is recession and AI resilient. And why his goal of 20,000 units...

Episode 48: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with Joshua Malik, founder and CEO of Joshua Tree Experts. Josh discusses the Joshua Tree three: 3 businesses in one, the benefits of working outside the home, how Josh's 16 years of industry experience created a Joshua Tree model generating over $7 million a year. ----- Timestamps: 05:35 - Joshua's beginnings 08:30 - marketin...

Episode 47: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff speaks with Chad Tracey and Josh Markland, co-founders of 2ndFamily Home Care and Support Services franchise. We talk about their unique differentiators perform across the home care space, how inadequate care for their grandmother empowered them to create 2ndFamily, how their brand is performing across all markets, and why home care is an asym...

Episode 46: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with Courtney Yeager, founder and CEO of The Tox. Courtney talks about the very first franchise concept focusing on lymphatic health, why The Tox's clean branding makes it a standout in the world of franchising, and how this low investment brand helped her scale to 12 corporate locations doing an average of 7-figures. Take a l...

Episode 45: On this episode of Pursuit of Profit Cliff and Justin speak with Ryan Parsons, CEO of Evive Brands. Ryan talks about how he and his brother built that largest gutter franchise in the U.S., why he attributes his rapid success to culture, his growth plans for Evive Brands, and how Evive will focus on compassionate care for homes and people. Take a listen... ----- Timestamps: 03:00 - Why...