Franchise Rising - The Show For Women In Franchising

We are so excited to have Laurie Spivack, President of Goodbye Graffiti USA, on our show this week, especially since Goodbye Graffiti USA is one of our sponsors.   Listen to hear about Laurie’s path from stay at home mom to president of a franchise, and get details about her business. You may be surprised - even though it sounds gritty, it actually is an amazing, value-based business that’s a great opportunity for women. What We Cover  * Introducing Laurie Spivack, President of Goodbye Graffiti USA    * Laurie’s journey from stay at home mom to Goodbye Graffiti USA    * The factors that motivated Laurie’s entrepreneurial path    * What it takes to be a successful Goodbye Graffiti owner    * How she gets business    * A franchisee’s role in her Goodbye Graffiti business    * The factors that set Goodbye Graffiti apart from the competition    * The best locations for a Goodbye Graffiti franchisee    * Qualities of the ideal Goodbye Graffiti franchisee    * Expected investment r

Linda O’Keefe had a successful career as a therapist, coach, and entrepreneur, and was ready to enjoy retirement. But some unexpected financial changes made her rethink her course, leading her to explore the world of franchising.   Hear about her journey from solopreneur to franchisee in this week’s episode, filled with raw insights and helpful perspectives to help women considering a similar path. What We Cover  * Introducing Linda O’Keefe   * Linda’s career as a solopreneur  * Reasons she considered making the switch to franchising  * The power of instant alignment with a brand  * Thriveworks’ unique systems and supports  * Addressing her and her husband’s concerns about joining the franchise  * Linda’s timeline from buying the franchise to opening her practice  * The importance of partner support when joining a franchise  * Linda’s goals for the future   * Erin's 3 questions Resources We Mention  * Thriveworks  * Thriveworks Tucson  * Hera Hub Get Inspired by Linda  * "Let'

Remember when we interviewed Bri Boos, Club Pilates franchisee? This week we chatted with Emily Hammett, the woman who inspired Bree’s franchise journey.  Listen to hear about Emily’s transition from CFO of a financial services company to the owner of 4 Club Pilates franchises, plus a brand new business that you definitely want to hear about if you’re into pilates! What We Cover  * Introducing Emily Hammett  * Working with her husband to open 4 Club Pilates locations  * Emily's path from accountant to franchisee  * The archaic nature of "9 to 5"  * Emily's management philosophy  * How Emily came across club Pilates  * Apprehension before signing the franchise agreement  * Deciding to become a multi-unit franchisee  * The role of passion in franchise ownership  * How the culture changed when Club Pilates came under new ownership  * Emily's relationship with her staff and clients  * What's next after Club Pilates?  * Erin's 3 questions Resources We Mention  * Club Pilates San Clem

We’re staying local this week! Erin chats with Emily Healy, a British Swim School franchisee based right here in Carlsbad, California.   In this episode, Emily shares the nitty gritty details about the franchise buying process - how she decided to become a business owner, why she selected British Swim School, what it took to get her business up and running, and her goals for the future. What We Cover  * Introducing Emily Healy, British Swim School Carlsbad owner  * Emily’s path to business ownership  * How she narrowed down her franchise options and decided British Swim School was the best fit  * Her thorough research process  * Questions she asked during validation  * Taking the leap of faith to buy a franchise  * Overall timeline of the franchise buying process  * British Swim School’s Survival Week  * Emily’s vision going forward Resources We Mention  * British Swim School Carlsbad  * British Swim School Corporate  * Roxanne Rapske  * FranNet  * LA Fitness  * Email Emily

One of our favorite Franchise Risers is back on the show! Angela Coté returns tto bust a common franchising myth - that franchises are turnkey businesses. Listen to get truth and to discover why franchises aren’t a “set it and forget it” type of business. What We Cover  * Welcoming Angela Coté and discussing her new role  * Why franchising is NOT turnkey  * Myth #1: You open your franchise and customers just come       * The importance of hard work and grit       * The role of marketing when opening a new franchise  * Myth #2: You won’t spend more than the franchise fee       * Ample working capital is essential  * Myth #3: Once the franchise gets going, it becomes turnkey       * Why you’ve got to stay involved as an owner  * The other side: What franchisors need to know Resources We Mention  * Cultivate Advisors  * Angela’s Facebook Page  * Angela’s LinkedIn Page  * Angela’s Instagram Page  * Email Angela  * Franchise Springboard Get Inspired by Angela  * “You can go al

Erin connected with Radfield Home Care franchisee Jennie Bardrick over social media, and they had an immediate connection. It didn’t take long for Erin to realize Jennie’s journey from corporate consultant to award-winning franchisee was the perfect story to share on the Franchise Rising Podcast. Listen to hear how Jennie got into franchising, what’s made her business so successful, and where she sees it all going over the next several years. What We Cover  * Introducing Jennie Bardrick, Co-CEO and Marketing Director for Radfield Home Care in Havering and Brentwood.  * How Jennie and Lisa got into franchising  * Her corporate background and experience  * The importance of living your purpose  * Objections she faced from family and friends and how she overcame them  * How she selected Radfield Home Care as the best-fit franchise for her  * What does good support mean as a franchisee in an emerging brand?  * Profitability projections and reality  * How Jennie and Lisa share responsibilities

Shannon Wilburn is the co-founder and CEO of Just Between Friends, North America's leading children's and maternity consignment sales event franchise. Her business is so much more than a big sale - it’s changing lives for her franchisees, and for those who live in their communities. Listen to hear her inspiring story, including the life-changing event that started it all, the impact her business has had on families across the country, and what it takes to be a Just Between Friends franchisee. What We Cover  * Introducing Shannon Wilburn  * Overview of Just Between Friends and the inspiration behind it  * Why Shannon decided to make Just Between Friends a franchise  * The importance of digging into franchisee satisfaction  * The benefits of buying a service-based franchise  * The six stages of franchising  * What it costs to become a Just Between Friends franchisee  * Training and support Just Between Friends franchisees can expect to receive  * Who is the ideal Just Between Friends fran

Jen Saxton came up with the idea for her business, Tot Squad, while she a student in business school seeking solutions for women trying to achieve the seemingly impossible - work-life balance. Today, her business has grown into an emerging franchise, and could be a great opportunity for women or men looking to be “pioneers” within a new franchise concept. Listen to hear how she got started, how her business has grown, where she’s taking it next, and who could be the ideal franchisees to come along on the ride with her. What We Cover  * Introducing Jen Saxton  * How her business began  * Ways the business has changed over the years  * Building strategic partnerships to enhance her brand  * Jen’s experiences as a female entrepreneur in terms of funding and support  * When and how Jen decided to turn her business into a franchise  * Who would make the ideal Tot Squad franchisee?  * Exciting new business developments for Tot Squad  * Erin’s three questions Resources We Mention  * Tot Sq

Have you ever considered buying or investing in a franchise, but don’t want to go at it alone? If so, you have to hear this week’s episode with Michele Lewis and Sara Mooser, co-owners of FIT4MOM SF Peninsula. Michele and Sara share their experience buying the franchise, and the three key qualities that helped them grow their business that started as a hobby into a growing, profitable one. What We Cover  * Introducing Michele Lewis and Sara Mooser  * How their business partnership began  * Aspects of the business that caught them by surprise  * The power of building a community around your brand  * Ways franchisor support has improved throughout their years as franchisees  * How sales training transformed their business  * Their business goals for the future  * The role of a franchise advisory council  * Networking opportunities, both within the FIT4MOM brand and outside of it  * Erin’s three questions Resources We Mention  * FIT4MOM - SF Peninsula  * FIT4MOM  * FIT4MOM - SF Pen

One of the greatest benefits to buying a franchise is the brand recognition, systems, and processes you inherit right off the bat. But, what happens if some of those systems aren’t fully functioning? What if the brand lacks a streamlined sales system?   This week, Emily chats with Violet Rainwater, sales strategist and founder of Rainmaker Way, on the importance of sales systems. They cover the questions you need to ask and the answers you should hope to hear to ensure a franchise’s sales systems are running smoothly and efficiently so new owners can make it rain. What We Cover    * Introducing Violet Rainwater, sales strategist and founder of Rainmaker Way    * Real-life example: the yoga studio without a sales process    * Questions to ask when evaluating a franchise opportunity    * How sophisticated should a franchise’s sales system be?    * What to look for when hiring a sales person or team    * The importance of trusting your intuition    * Sales strategies Violet implemented

Do you ever feel like your plate is too full, and wonder if you can manage franchise ownership on top of everything you already have going on? Meet Emily Palmer, European Wax Center Franchisee, owner of a mortgage brokerage business, and mother to two young boys. This week, Emily shares her experience as a first-time franchisee with Erin, going into the good, the bad, and everything in between. Listen to hear the lessons she’s learned about the franchise world and the valuable tips she has for other women considering franchise ownership. What We Cover    * Introducing Emily Palmer, European Wax Center franchisee  * Challenges of running a franchise as someone with a true entrepreneurial spirit  * Things Emily would do differently if she could start over  * Questions all prospective franchisees should ask before making a buying decision  * How she runs her business day-to-day  * The value of your franchise’s built-in support system of other franchisees  * Special offers from Emily’s Europea

Lisane Basquiat is the owner of Hera Hub Carlsbad, founder of Shaping Freedom, and the co-founder of Transition Haven. While running  three businesses may make her sound like a serial entrepreneur, Lisane’s background is actually in corporate - she worked for Fortune 500 companies for 23 years before deciding it was time to take control of her destiny and work for herself. Listen to hear what it was like for her to transition from corporate to entrepreneurial life, the difference business ownership has made in her life, and advice for women looking to make the shift into business ownership. What We Cover  * Introducing Lisane Basquiat  * The qualities that attracted her to the Hera Hub Carlsbad ownership opportunity  * Reasons she chose to buy a licensed concept instead of starting from scratch  * The power of surrounding yourself with other entrepreneurs  * The importance of confidence in business ownership  * Initial expectations of business ownership vs. reality  * A comparison of her lif

Erin and Angela Coté chat again this week, this time discussing “The DNA of a Franchisee”. In her years in the franchise space as a franchisor, franchisee, and now franchisor consultant, she’s noticed there are 10 qualities that every successful franchisee shares, not matter the brand. Listen to hear the qualities Angela has found the most successful franchisees have in common, and the ways those qualities can shape their business outcomes. What We Cover  * The importance of being financially prepared  * Why you a franchisee must be systems oriented  * The flip-side: you’ll also need a touch of entrepreneurialism  * The power of loyalty for the brand  * Why you need to be patient as a franchisee  * The role of leadership skills  * The importance of being team-oriented  * Why a franchisee must be sales-oriented  * Ways being community-oriented can boost your business  * The power of true grit Resources We Mention  * Angela Coté’s Website  * Angela’s YouTube Channel  * Angela’

Jane Stein is a franchise consultant whose company, “Your Franchise is Waiting”, provides support and services for women looking to buy a franchise. Franchise ownership can take many forms, so this week Erin and Jane discuss different models of franchise ownership:    Owner-operator of a single unit  Multi-unit ownership  Semi-absentee ownership  Buying an existing franchise  Area developer  Master Franchise   As you listen, think about which model looks most like the pathway you envision for yourself. What We Cover   * Introducing Jane Stein * Owner-operator vs. semi-absentee franchise ownership * Building an empire through multi-unit franchise ownership * Low-risk business opportunities good for first-time franchise owners * Weighing the pros and cons of investing in a trendy business model * How to buy a pre-established franchise location * How to determine whether a brand is franchisee-friendly * Area developer opportunities and ideal candidates for those roles * Mast

Deb Evans is the founder of Deb Evans Consulting, where she specializes in training franchise industry leaders in marketing, specifically focusing on ways they can use social media to grow their brands. She’s also the co-host of Social Geek Radio, a podcast that covers the latest trends in technology and digital marketing. This week, Deb and Erin discuss the power of social media - what brands should be doing to promote themselves on social, and ways prospective franchisees can use social media to research potential opportunities. What We Cover * Introducing Deb Evans * Reasons why businesses need a social media presence  * Ways franchise candidates can use social media throughout their research and buying processes * How franchisees can use social media to improve their brand appeal * Ways brands can engage with influencers and brand ambassadors   * Questions to ask about social media before buying a franchise * Erin’s three questions Resources We Mention * Deb Evans Consulting * Deb’s Facebook

Dan Durney is the owner of FranMaster, an outsourced franchise development and coaching company for emerging franchisors. Best known for his involvement in the launch of franchise behemoth Massage Envy, Dan‘s brings unique insights into the world of franchising based on his 14+ years of experience. This week, Dan and Erin take a deep dive into the four main steps in the process of buying or investing in a franchise:  Qualification  Disclosure  Validation  Discovery What We Cover * Introducing Dan Durney, owner of FranMaster * Defining emerging franchises * “Awarding” a franchise vs. “selling” a franchise * How the franchise sales process begins * Questions asked during qualification * Defining the Franchise Disclosure Document and how you should approach and assess it * Explaining the validation process * What to expect at Discovery Day * Franchise Development Consultants and others involved in the sales process * Erin’s three questions Resources We Mention * FranMaster * Mas

Katie Smith had been a stay at home mom for 11 years when she decided to take the plunge into entrepreneurship, opening a Cookie Cutters franchise in the Boise, Idaho area. This week, Erin dives into her inspiring story, and Katie shares her fears before opening, the successes she’s experienced so far, and how she manages to run a business while being a mom to four daughters who are always on the go. What We Cover * Introducing Katie Smith, Cookie Cutters Franchisee * The process of deciding she was ready to buy a franchise * Financial questions and qualifications before buying the franchise * Why Boise was the right market for Katie’s business * Finding balance between motherhood and business ownership * Leaving a legacy for her daughters * Advice for prospective franchisees based on Katie’s own experiences * Erin’s three questions * Special Deals at Cookie Cutters - Meridian Resources We Mention * Cookie Cutters - Meridian * Cookie Cutters - Meridian Facebook * Cookie Cutters - Cor

Aubree Coderre has spent about four years in the franchise space. While that makes her a relative newbie, her voracious appetite for education and networking has helped her learn the industry inside and out.   This week, Erin sits down with Aubree to cover a range of topics related to franchise investment and ownership, learning Aubree’s tips to help franchisees thrive. What We Cover   Introducing Aubree Coderre, National Sales Manager at C Squared Social What is a franchise’s “secret sauce”? The importance of values alignment between franchisee and franchisor Networking, education, and mentorship opportunities The lifestyle shift from employee to business owner Erin’s three questions Resources We Mention * C Squared Social * Zoracle Profiles * International Franchise Association * Franchise Business Network * Multi-Unit Franchising Conference * Franchise Update Media Group * Franchise Business Review * Jenna Lamb, Nothing Bundt Cakes * Mary Ann O’Connell, Fran Wise

Erin connected with Angela Coté last Fall at during the FranTech conference, where they immediately connected over their passion for innovation and supporting women. Angela is an expert in the franchise space in every sense of the word - her family owned a major Canadian franchise, she’s a multi-unit franchisee, and she now consults franchisors to help them achieve exponential growth. In this episode, Angela shares her Five “Rockstar” Questions every prospective franchisee should ask before making her buying decision:   Do you have a passion for the brand? What are the company’s core values and purpose? What support systems does the franchisor have set up for franchisees? How many transfers and/or closures has the franchise experienced and why? What technology does the company have in place to create efficiencies (and ultimately profitability) for franchisees?   Learn the answers you’ll want to hear to know you’re making a sound, informed franchise buying decision. What We Cover   Introducing An

Ever considered turning your business into a franchise? Thought about buying or investing in an already existing franchise? You’ll need to know exactly what a franchise is before doing either of these things.   In this episode, Erin chats with Carmen Chavez de Hesse, owner of Echo Growth Strategies, about the three factors that make a franchise a franchise vs. a licensed business:   National trademark registration Systems and support Ongoing fees in exchange for the trademark, systems, and support   Listen to get into the nitty-gritty details of franchising. What We Cover   Defining a franchise Licensing vs. franchising Mandated timeline for buying a franchise Questions to ask when doing due diligence on a brand Corporate locations vs. franchise locations What Do You Think? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts on Facebook or Twitter, or leave a review on iTunes. Your honest reviews help others discover the series and start their franchise journeys. Let’s Stay Connected F