Tell Us Your F'ing Story

In Episode 18 of the BDC Partners podcast, Bruce McFarlane journies to the US, where he interviews Michelle Monroe Rowan, COO of Franchise Business Review. We delve into her early career aspirations, from her dream of becoming a teacher to her affinity for the hospitality industry and her drive for business, nurtured while assisting her partner in growing their enterprise. Additionally, Michelle h...

In our second episode of "Franchising Uncut" a spin-off of TUYFS, we sit down with Jon Sully, David Lindsay and Bruce Mcfarlane and delve into the hot topic of franchise growth.  This week, we delve into a highly debated topic within the franchise industry: franchise recruitment. Join us as we navigate the challenges, explore the concept of constructing a franchise persona, and transitio...

TUYFS is on tour! In Episode 16, we are in the US, speaking with Aaron Harper, CEO of Rolling Suds and exploring his advocacy of Responsible Franchising. Aaron has scaled multiple franchise systems, most recently growing Rolling Suds from zero to hundreds of locations in a very short time - all by focusing on the right processes and bringing in the right franchisees. His philosophy of prioritising...

We're kicking off 2024 with a brand new vibe for our TUYFS podcast! We're super pumped to introduce you to our latest creation: "Franchising Uncut" – original, we know. If you think you can do better, let us know.  With this fresh format, we're diving deep into the world of franchising. Sparked by   Jon Sully's need to rant on social media, fuelled by franchising passion....

In episode 14 of TUYFS, we speak with Kerri Wane, CEO of San Churro. Kerri has led an inspiring career, showing her appetite to take on a challenge from her late teens. Her passion for people earned her the role of National Training Manager at Dominos, and the subsequent award of best global training program triggered a move to India where she became COO and was at the heart of the company's r...

In episode 13 of TUYFS, we speak with Peter Nikolakopoulos, CEO of The AllStars Academy. Pete has a had a fascinating entrepreneurial journey. From an early age he had his own businesses, starting with hand washing his neighbours' cars, all the way through to packing out venues as a DJ, owning his own pub at age 25, to more recently turning a belated achievement in his childhood passion of soc...

In episode 12 of TUYFS, we speak with Darren Wallis, Director of GJ Gardner Homes. Darren showed an entrepreneurial spirit from an early age, being more into making money than sports in his childhood! Joining GJ's as a young accountant, the company was soon to take off as a franchise and Darren was involved in every aspect. From successful international launches into NZ and the USA, to the GFC...

In Episode 11 of TUYFS, we speak with Scott Enno, Managing Director of Flooring Xtra. Growing up in a family that had involvement in franchising, it may surprise listeners that he initially had no desire to make Flooring Xtra a franchise in Australia! Scott shares how his journey took him to that point, how he watches other industries to learn how to integrate new ideas into the business, and how...

In Episode 10 of TUYFS, Jacinta Caithness shares a host of insights gleaned from a career in franchising, not least from the belly of the beast that was the small team that supercharged the growth of Boost Juice - from a footprint of just 6 stores to an international behemoth. Now an advisor with multiple brands, Jacinta is an authentic example of someone who has walked the walk in franchising.

In Episode 9 of TUYFS, Kristie Piniuta shares her story in law and franchising. Part of the core team that grew Boost into a household name, Kristie has worked in a broad range of roles, from big firms to her own startup law firm, and has seen the good, the bad and the ugly from both sides of the regulatory divide having spent time with the ACCC.

In Episode 8, Rori enthralls with her story of a life in franchising. From operating the cash registers at her parents' businesses, experiencing the life of a franchisee from up close through to closing million dollar franchise deals and everything in between, Rori shares her experience of working on both sides of the franchise deal, balancing life as a mum to four girls with the demands of a...

In episode 7, Kate takes us through her expansive career in franchising, from learning the ropes at McDonalds through stints as a franchisee, a master franchisee, a franchisor, a tech startup entrepreneur and even a period with the FCA - all the way up to her most recent venture at The Franchise Education Institute of Australia. If it's in franchising, it's in a manual that Kate has writte...

In Episode 6, Jacob shared his fascinating story and experience with a who's who of the biggest franchising brands in Australia. From graduating through the ranks at McDonalds while at Uni, to a perhaps premature adventure to New Zealand, he's held senior roles with key Retail Zoo brands and has taken everything he's learned to fuel his mission in recent years to make rubbish sexy. Not...

In episode 5, we speak with Selina Bridge, CEO of KX Pilates. Selina shares her background growing up as a twin in the UK, her career in marketing with prestige brands like BMW, her first foray into franchising with Curves, right through to her current role leading one of the hottest franchises in Australia. Selina shares invaluable insights around her approach towards working with franchisees, ho...

In episode 4, we speak with John Cooksey, CEO of BDC Talent & Performance. John shared his huge knowledge on how to build, develop and manage high performing teams in organisations of different sizes, how psychology influences performance and regaled us with stories of how busking can provide a great introduction to business and much more.

In episode 3, we speak with Keith Doyle, CEO of BDC Property Partners. Keith delves into his background in retail entrepreneurship and how his vision and ability to spot a gap in the market led him to found and grow one of Ireland's most successful independent fashion retailers before moving to Australia with his family, working with Myer then evolving into commercial property.

In episode 2 we speak with Tanya Robertson, CEO of Franchise Strategy at BDC Partners. Tanya shares her franchising journey, beginning with Knitwit, a female focussed haberdashery and sewing franchise and her move to help them grow in the UK. She discusses the delay to follow trends, the demise of businesses that fail to keep up, and the challenges seen in the franchise industry. She also talks us...

In Episode 1 we speak with David Lindsay, CEO of hattch - a new technology platform that uses a psychological profile to match franchise buyers with franchise systems. David shares his background story, his arrival in Australia from Ireland where he had a stonemasonry business, and his journey in building Salts of the Earth with which he won the national NextGen in Franchising Award, going on to r...