Podcasts about erikvanhorn

The franchising business model is ideal for veterans because their discipline, work ethic, and mission-focused orientation translate well into business ownership.  Welcome to the latest episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, where Erik Van Horn interviews Navy Veteran Clement Troutman, a top franchisee of Tropical Smoothie in Maryland. Clement has found great success with Tropical Smoothie, garnering the 2018 Rookie of the Year award a year after they opened their first franchise in Maryland. Each year, he makes it his goal to surpass his previous year's success. His dedication to building strong core capabilities and staying focused on his mission has helped him to create a thriving business.  In this episode, Clement shares how he got started in the franchising industry and his strategies to achieve success. He also talks about the importance of building solid relationships with his team, developing their skills and capabilities, and allowing them to share his vision for the company.  This episode is a must-listen if you're interested in franchising or looking to improve your franchise. Tune in to hear Clement's expert insights and advice. “Winners only compete with themselves.” - Clement Troutman   In This Episode: - A brief background on Clement, how he got into the military, traveled to different parts of the world, worked in Cyber Security, then became a Tropical Smoothie franchisee - How living in other countries impacted Clement's view of the American culture  - What was it like teaching cultural diversity to his children? - Clement shares the challenges he experienced being a Tropical Smoothie franchisee and how he made it to the top of the brand's best of the best - How Clement develops leaders out of his team members and how he deals with someone who's not a good fit - The secret to Clement's robust business infrastructure - What's next for Clement Troutman? And more! Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Dreams Never Die by Mr. Clement T. Troutman - https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Never-Die-Clement-Troutman/dp/1737376709/  Connect with Clement Troutman: - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clement-troutman-861543228/ Connect with Erik Van Horn: - Website  - Instagram  - Facebook  - Facebook Group  - LinkedIn - YouTube - Medium

Are you a business owner looking to maximize the value of your business? Do you want to understand how cash flow is critical in business valuation? In this episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast, host Erik Van Horn and his guest, Luke Andrus, share valuable insights on the multiples approach to business valuation and helpful tips for navigating the complexities of buying or selling a business. Luke is the founder and CEO of Blue Star Investments, a private equity firm based in the United States that focuses on investing in and growing small to mid-sized companies. He also co-owns multiple Anytime Fitness franchises in the United States, which makes him understand firsthand what makes a business valuable to buyers. Whether you're a business owner looking to sell or a buyer interested in acquiring a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights you will want to take advantage of!   “No matter how good you are, it's still a gamble. Maybe the location's terrible, you know. I'd rather have a bad product in a great location than a great product in a bad location.” - Luke Andrus   In This Episode: - A brief background on Luke, how he became a co-owner of multiple Anytime Fitness franchises, the value he brought to the business, and what sets him apart from other franchisees - The three significant KPIs to monitor in the gym industry and how to monitor reviews - Why it's crucial to teach employees how to solve problems and understand P&L statements - Understanding company valuation using the multiples approach - How do you avoid the usual mistakes sellers make? - Why you should avoid buying into companies where the owner is too involved - How to negotiate the terms of the sale and the benefits to seller and buyer for certain sale agreements - When should you inform your employees that a new owner is taking over the company?  - Buying healthy assets vs. distressed assets  And more!   Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - The Accidental CEO by Thomas Voccola - https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-CEO-Leaders-Journey-Purpose/dp/1411688570 - Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805 - The Messy Marketplace by Brent Beshore - https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Marketplace-Selling-Business-Imperfect/dp/0998030007   Connect with Luke Andrus: - Anytime Fitness Website - https://www.anytimefitness.com/ - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeandrus/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: - Website  - Instagram  - Facebook  - Facebook Group  - LinkedIn - YouTube - Medium

Are you considering franchising as a way to start or grow your business? As shared by today's guest, franchising can be a great stepping stone into other business opportunities.  In this week's episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast, host Erik Van Horn shines the spotlight on Yoel Gutierrez, co-owner of Mosquito Joe of Miami and leader of a Mastermind group called Franchise Empire Builders.  Most of Yoel's professional career has been spent working in IT, but he always knew he wanted to own a business. He initially didn't think it would be a franchise that kills mosquitoes. But, as his wife complained about mosquito bites, Yoel knew Mosquito Joe would be an excellent place to start. And he's happy with how it all turned out. His franchise has grown 4x since he opened it in 2015, making it one of the top Mosquito Joe franchises nationwide. With the business doing great, Yoel takes great pride in his employees and what they do. The success of Mosquito Joe was just the beginning. He is now an owner and partner in a mold assessment company, a high-end auto detailing business, and many other companies.  Tune in and discover how to use franchising as a pathway to diverse business ventures.    “The only reason we succeeded in Mosquito Joe so much was because we dove in a hundred percent.” - Yoel Gutierrez   In This Episode: - A brief background on Yoel Gutierrez and how he got involved with Mosquito Joe - What makes a franchisee successful? - How Yoel started leading a convention (which led to the Mastermind Group) for Mosquito Joe franchisees - The pricing structure for Yoel's Mastermind and what you will get out of it - What are the benefits of leading a Mastermind? - How franchising launched Yoel's success as a business owner and opened more opportunities for him And more! Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Scalable Franchise - https://scalablefranchise.com/ - The CASHFLOW Quadrant by Robert Kiyosaki - https://www.richdad.com/the-cashflow-quadrant Connect with Yoel Gutierrez: - Website - https://miami.mosquitojoe.com/ - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/yoel-gutierrez-20122723/ Connect with Erik Van Horn: - Website  - Instagram  - Facebook  - Facebook Group  - LinkedIn - YouTube - Medium

Are you wondering how to navigate the complex world of franchising in these uncertain times? With the looming recession, bank collapses, and tighter government regulations, it's natural to feel concerned about your future. But there's good news.  In this week's episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast, host Erik Van Horn chats with the "Franchise Economist" Darrell Johnson, CEO of FRANdata, a leading research and consulting firm specializing in analyzing the franchise industry. Together, they discuss the current state of the economy, banking, and how federal regulations impact franchising. They also explore how franchising can be resilient during financial uncertainty with the help of FRANdata. Darrell has over 30 years of experience in the franchise industry and is a nationally recognized franchising authority. Under Darrell's leadership, FRANdata has evolved from a data/FDD database company to a world-class franchise-focused advisory firm. Through his work at FRANdata, Darrell has helped to promote transparency and accountability in the franchise industry, making it easier for entrepreneurs to make informed decisions about investing in a franchise. During the podcast, Darrell provides valuable insights and tips for franchisees and franchisors on navigating complex issues that affect franchising and using reliable data to make informed decisions. So be sure to tune in to this enlightening and informative episode.    “The franchising business model is very resilient and very flexible. What it would require is that franchisors pay close attention to what the implications are of how the banking system is changing and to take actions on them.” - Darrell Johnson   In This Episode: - What is FRANdata and how does it help those involved in the franchising industry make informed decisions? - The Feds' unintended consequences impacting franchising - Will franchising survive the financial crisis? - How the bank credit report changed the game - How VC, PE are going to value brands (forward earnings and cost of capital) - What do MU owners really want in a new brand (it's not what your think) - When should franchisors be in learning mode vs leader mode? - What does good, better and best look like? - Take a look at the IFA 2023 Franchising Economic Report - https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/2023-Franchising-Economic-Report.pdf And more! Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - The IFA 2023 Franchising Economic Report - https://www.franchise.org/sites/default/files/2023-03/2023-Franchising-Economic-Report.pdf Connect with Darrell Johnson: - Website - https://www.frandata.com/ - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/darrell-johnson-cfe Connect with Erik Van Horn: Website  Instagram  Facebook  Facebook Group  LinkedIn YouTube Medium

Have you ever wondered what it takes to become a successful franchise owner? While financial acumen is undoubtedly a valuable asset, there are other crucial qualities that make a franchise owner stand out, such as building strong relationships with customers and employees.  In this week's episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast, Erik sits down with Salem Najjar, a visionary entrepreneur and CEO of SERVE Hospitality Group, which owns one of the largest franchise portfolios of Tropical Smoothie Cafe. With an impressive 21 franchises in Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan, Salem shares his secrets to success with Erik. Salem's background as a CPA is the foundation of his financial expertise, which has helped propel his ventures to new heights. However, there's much more to Salem's success than his financial acumen.  He discusses his franchising journey and explains why he partnered with Tropical Smoothie Cafe. Salem also reveals the key ingredients that have enabled his restaurants to flourish, leaving listeners with invaluable insights into what it takes to thrive in the competitive world of franchise ownership. Tune in now to discover the secrets of Salem's success!   “We know if we take care of our employees, they'll take care of the customers.”  - Salem Najjar   In This Episode: - The three criteria Salem uses when evaluating brands - Salem reveals his leadership team breakdown - Can you be money-driven and people-driven at the same time? - How to let go and stop having your hands on everything - What things can break down when scaling? - Ensuring sustainable cash flow while growing enterprise value - How to grow with the current economic climate - Culture framework simplified   Books Mentioned: - Traction by Gino Wickman - https://www.amazon.com/Traction-Get-Grip-Your-Business/dp/1936661837 - Your Next Five Moves by Patrick Bet-David - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Next-Five-Moves-Business/dp/1982154802 Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 Connect with Salem Najjar: - Website - https://servehg.com/   Connect with Erik Van Horn: - Website  - Instagram - Facebook  - Facebook Group  - LinkedIn - YouTube - Medium

When investing in a franchise or a passive income deal, you always have to follow specific criteria.  Surprisingly, looking for fast cash flow or a substantial ROI are not the only factors to consider.  Connections, education, and tax strategies are even more important than cash flow. And today's guest explains why.  Ryan Casey is a successful franchisee of Orangetheory Fitness. One of his studios is in the top twenty locations in the country, and another is number four. He's living proof that with the right systems in place, you can create entirely passive income, thanks to franchising.  Together with Ryan, Erik shares different takeaways on semi-absentee ownership and how to start passive investing on the right foot.  Listen in for a list of the criteria to follow when trying to acquire a new franchise and extra skills you need to develop to make your franchise successful.  “Franchisees should have criteria for brands they are getting into.” - Erik Van Horn   In This Episode: - Keys to semi-absentee ownership and passive investing - Why you should choose well-known brands rather than emerging ones - Importance of hiring the right director of operations for your franchise - Why cash flow ROI is not the most crucial factor when choosing a franchise - How to ask appropriate questions and conduct due diligence when looking for deals  - Skills needed to be a franchise owner    Resources:  - Learn more about Erik's franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com  - Learn more about Erik's passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com  - Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  - Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617  Connect with Ryan Casey: - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryan-casey-a80802a0   Connect with Erik Van Horn: - Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/    - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   - Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   - Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/franchisesecretsfb  - LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/  - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA  - Medium - https://medium.com/@erikvanhorn 

Today, Erik is joined by entrepreneur, David Leoncavallo. David is an expert in recruiting top talent in today's market.   David breaks down how LinkedIn Sales Navigator can help franchisees and franchisors gain access to detailed profiles of potential candidates that provide insights into their work history, education and professional connections.   It also helps business owners gain valuable intel on who else has been viewing good matches for positions like CEO or CFO as well as what interests them - helping you make smart decisions about hiring execs for your organization quicker.   Franchisees and Franchisors, If you're interested in taking your executive recruitment process to the next level, then Sales Navigator is a must-have!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...     Learn more about my franchisee mastermind here: www.franchisetribe.com ⬅     Learn more about my franchisor mastermind here: www.franchisortribe.com ⬅     Learn more about my passive investing mastermind here: www.tribeofinvestors.com ⬅     Want to buy a franchise? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅     Want to franchise your business? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅     Don't forget to subscribe to the Franchise Secrets Youtube channel so you don't miss out on any content! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D....     Add Erik as a friend on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/     Follow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/     Connect with Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/     Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Today, Erik is joined by a friend and successful entrepreneur, Scott Abbott.    Scott has grown and exited many businesses in and out of franchising so he knows a thing or two about how to scale correctly.     The guys get into the nitty-gritty of what it looks like to take a business from zero to hero while setting yourself up for a great exit.    Topics discussed in this episode: -How to know if you've been bought out by a good PE partner as a franchisee -What is the right partner vs. the wrong partner when it comes to private equity? -What's it like to have a franchisee-first mentality as a franchisor? -The most valuable companies don't actually need you -As a founder, don't let your identity get tied into the business -and Much More!   Enjoy today's episode!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Learn more about my franchisee mastermind here: www.franchisetribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my franchisor mastermind here: www.franchisortribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my passive investing mastermind here: www.tribeofinvestors.com ⬅   Want to buy a franchise? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Want to franchise your business? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Don't forget to subscribe to the Franchise Secrets Youtube channel so you don't miss out on any content! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D......   Add Erik as a friend on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   Follow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   Connect with Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/     Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Today Erik is joined by Rob Cambruzzi, Founder and CEO of REP'M Group, a total Franchise Development company.    Erik and Rob break down critical things all Franchisors need to think about as they scale their brands.    Topics mentioned in this episode: -Brand Development -Branding & Marketing -Broker and Organic Lead Generation -Sales & Distribution -Real Estate & Construction -Franchise Operations and Much More!   Check out this episode of Franchise Secrets!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Learn more about my franchisee mastermind here: www.franchisetribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my franchisor mastermind here: www.franchisortribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my passive investing mastermind here: www.tribeofinvestors.com ⬅   Want to buy a franchise? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Want to franchise your business? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Don't forget to subscribe to the Franchise Secrets Youtube channel so you don't miss out on any content! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D.....   Add Erik as a friend on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   Follow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   Connect with Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/     Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Today, Erik is joined by the Redneck CEO himself, Gary Findley.   Erik and Gary talk about the mindset and methodology that took Gary on a journey of running his own businesses, serving as a franchise owner of multiple franchise brands, and ultimately becoming an executive to grow some of the largest franchise networks across the country and around the world.   Gary recently released his book "The Redneck CEO" which takes readers through his own business journey, from making millions to losing it all and starting over, all while staying true to his principles for success: integrity, faith, and hard work.   Gary recently appeared on  @Undercover Boss  in his business Restoration1. You can check out the episode on  @CBS  here: https://www.cbs.com/shows/video/Y9K7jbbSJPIP2bUN47OVF8mgJ7O7nCXa/   Enjoy this episode of  @Franchise Secrets !   With over 30 years of experience helping new and seasoned entrepreneurs award more than 10,000 franchise locations worldwide, Gary Findley is a master at business development. Today he serves as the CEO of Stellar Brands, an umbrella company uniting Restoration 1, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain, The Driveway Company, Softroc, and potential future acquisitions under one multi-branded service organization. Together, they include more than 350 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada. In addition to these home service brands, the Stellar Brands platform also includes FranXperts, a leading franchise consulting and development company.   Gary also serves as operating partner of franchising and home services for MPK Equity Partners, the private investment firm over Stellar Brands whose principals have invested in, founded or run nearly 100 companies with an aggregate transactional value approaching $10 billion. And he was appointed to the Advisory Board for the Titus Center for Franchising at Palm Beach Atlantic University.   As the self-proclaimed “Redneck CEO,” Gary credits growing up in the small, rural town of Axtell, Texas, for instilling his strong work ethic and unshakeable faith, the keys that have carried him through life. That foundation fed his entrepreneurial drive and led to running his own businesses, serving as a franchise owner of multiple franchise brands, and ultimately becoming an executive to grow some of the largest franchise networks across the country and around the world.   From 2008 to 2013, Gary was the chief operating officer of Snap Fitness, a global franchise brand with over 1,200 locations. Before that, Gary served as the founder and CEO of The Findley Group, an award-winning franchise development company that helped launch and grow more than a dozen brands. Prior to starting The Findley Group, Gary was president of Curves, a women's fitness franchise where he led franchise development efforts and grew the system to more than 8,000 locations in eight years. Gary began his career at The Dwyer Group (now Neighborly) where he was vice president of franchise sales for Rainbow International.   Gary is the author of The Redneck CEO, a book that details his business journey and his principles for success. -----------------------------------   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Learn more about my franchisee mastermind here: www.franchisetribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my franchisor mastermind here: www.franchisortribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my passive investing mastermind here: www.tribeofinvestors.com ⬅   Want to buy a franchise? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Want to franchise your business? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Don't forget to subscribe to the Franchise Secrets Youtube channel so you don't miss out on any content! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D......   Add Erik as a friend on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   Follow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   Connect with Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/     Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

There's no doubt Robert Kiyosaki's cashflow quadrant has helped me as an entrepreneur to have a tangible map to assess whether I was setting myself up to continue to trade my time for money (poor dad) or was on track to move into the quadrants that would allow my money to work for me (rich dad).   The thing is, many (and maybe most) franchisees get into franchising because they have the desire to experience freedom in their lifestyle.   However, far too many zees get stuck working IN their business which means they essentially bought themselves a job.   In other words, they went from actively earning money before becoming a franchisee, to actively earning money as a franchisee.   The thing people want to know is--HOW do you move from making money actively to making it passively?   Well, the truth is there are many ways to make that leap.

Today, Erik is joined by a long-time friend, Entrepreneur, Franchise Ramp founder, and co-host of the Franchise Story Podcast, Brian Holmes.   Brian talks about the changes in his life that led to early retirement, why it sucked, and why he came back into franchising guns ablaze.   Together, Erik and Brian tackle topics like:   -Franchisee and Franchisor Relationships -Partnerships in business -Integrators vs. Visionaries -How to Hire for the Culture of your Business -Business Growth Speed -EOS Implementation and Much More!   Enjoy this episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Learn more about my franchisee mastermind here: www.franchisetribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my franchisor mastermind here: www.franchisortribe.com ⬅   Learn more about my passive investing mastermind here: www.tribeofinvestors.com ⬅   Want to buy a franchise? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Want to franchise your business? Connect with me here: https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 ⬅   Don't forget to subscribe to the Franchise Secrets Youtube channel so you don't miss out on any content! http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D......   Add Erik as a friend on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/   Follow Erik on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/   Connect with Erik on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

When it comes to leadership, @Jason Redman knows what he's talking about.   In today's Franchise Secrets Episode, I share Jason's inspiring presentation to the Franchise Tribe Mastermind SCALE members about how to be a student of leadership and how to "Get off the X."   What does it mean to "Get off the X"?   In short, “Getting off the X” means defining your mission and successfully crushing your short- and long-term goals. It means making a move without excuses.   Want to join the Franchise Tribe Mastermind?   Learn more here: www.FranchiseTribe.com   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Lt. Jason Redman is a retired, decorated U.S. Navy SEAL who, during his 21-year Navy career (1992 – 2013), spent 11 years as an enlisted SEAL and almost 10 years as a SEAL officer. He is a recipient of numerous military awards, including the Bronze Star for valor, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, five Navy Achievement Medals, two Combat Action Ribbons and the U.S. Army Ranger Tab.    After being severely wounded and nearly killed in combat in Iraq in 2007, Redman returned to active duty before retiring in 2013.  In 2013 he launched a speaking and consulting company which focuses on inspirational presentations on leadership, teamwork and the “Overcome Mindset,” helping individuals, companies and teams to “Get off the X”™ from what he refers to as “life ambushes.” In addition, Redman provides workshops, online programs, executive coaching and business consulting to businesses around the world and group coaching through his Get off the X™ training and Overcome Army™ coaching programs.   Redman is the author of the New York Times bestselling memoir “The Trident: The Forging and Reforging of a Navy SEAL Leader” and Amazon bestsellers “Overcome: Crush Adversity With the Leadership Techniques of America's Toughest Warriors” (2019) and the Pointman Planner guided, motivational productivity journal (2021). He lives with his family in Virginia. www.jasonredman.com   ----------------------------------------------------------------   Have you joined the FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group yet?   If not, join here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

You never know how connections you have made will come through.   During my time on the border of Poland and #Ukraine, I saw first-hand the value of a network.   I was able to raise over $20k from one Facebook post (all of which went directly to Ukrainian people fleeing the crisis), connect with people who translated for me on my trip, and help foster connections between people to aid in transporting #refugees, rescue #orphans, and much more.   Check out part of my story in a special edition of the Franchise Secrets Podcast. If you thought networking was important before, you'll come away from this episode recognizing it's a necessity.   --------------------------------------------   Have you joined the FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group yet?   If not, join here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...     Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Jason Blough went from being an Anytime Fitness Franchise General Manager to 7 figure franchise consultant, multi-brand #franchise owner, and lifestyle #investor in 3 years by taking massive action.   What does massive action look like in the life of someone who wants to be a franchise owner?   Today, Erik and Jason dive into the moves that Jason took to completely change his life in 3 years by becoming a multi-brand franchise owner and lifestyle investor.   --------------------------------------------   Have you joined the FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group yet?   If not, join here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Over the last two decades Dave Asprey, “The Father of Biohacking”, has worked with world-renowned doctors, researchers, scientists, and global mavericks to uncover the latest, most innovative methods, techniques, and products for enhancing mental and physical performance. Dave has personally spent over $2 million taking control of his own biology – pushing the bounds of human possibility all in the name of science evolution and revolution.   The creator of the Bulletproof Diet, and innovator of Bulletproof Coffee, Collagen Protein supplements and many more advances in commercial wellness products, Dave's mission is to empower the entire globe with information and knowledge that unlocks the Super Human in everyone at any age. The proof of these advancements are better sleep, energy, and expanded capacity for all. Be a better partner, parent, provider, and overall human being in every aspect of life.   So, how did Dave combine the world of Biology and Biohacking with Franchising?   In this episode, Erik dives in with Dave to discuss how he brought biohacking to the mainstream and made it accessible to everyone.   Topics Discussed in today's episode:   #Biohacking #StrategicHiring #Franchising #MedicalFranchises #NonMedicalFranchises #BulletproofCoffee   and much more!   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQSFxnii9nm4p6ZFMy?si=dc5599b742044aae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franchise-secrets-podcast/id1460276956   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Today I talk to JT Thiessen with Budget Blinds. A very well established brand that is absolutely crushing it with happy successful franchisees   JT said something that stopped me in my tracks: "The 10th franchisee is different than the 210th franchisee"   It's true!   ✔️ Their mindset is different ✔️ Their experience is different ✔️ They're a different buyer   It's important to understand this! When you're buying a franchise, you're obviously going to have a different experience depending on what kind of brand you buy, but you're also going to have a different experience whether you buy an emerging brand or an established brand.   As a brand grows, they inevitably start to delegate parts of the business so they can scale. For this reason, you may have a different experience than a franchisee who purchased the same brand with it was emerging.   You may:   -have less direct access to the founder -have an onboarding process that looks different than what early franchisees experienced -have access to vendors right away that early franchisees didn't have until later -and more!   These are things to keep in mind when you're validating with Franchisees.   Let's dive in!   --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️     Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS...   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...     Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalogue of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_...   Subscribe so you never miss any content: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D...       Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.     #FranchiseTribeMastermind #FranchiseSecrets #Franchising #Franchisee #Franchisor #Franchise

In this conversation, Cameron Herold gives some insane value about how to be the best COO for your business.

The reason I'm so passionate about masterminds is that I have personally experienced the rapid growth that can come from asking the right questions in the right rooms.   The bottom line is, masterminds give you access to people who are both where you want to be and where you have been. You're able to learn the right steps to take to accomplish your goals without having to make the mistakes that others have to achieve the same goals. In this way, you're able to shortcut the path to success because you can clearly define the steps you need to take to accomplish whatever it is you want to accomplish.   I've experienced people in my masterminds receive valuable advice from myself and other members that gave them a ROI 10 times what they paid to be in the group.   The hard obstacle to overcome is a negative mindset.   If you've never participated in masterminds, you're probably asking yourself these questions:   "Why in the world would I pay money to be in a group of of other _______________ (franchisees, franchisors, investors, etc.)"   "Why not put that amount of money somewhere else?"   "That sounds like a lot of money, how can I be sure I'll get a ROI?"   All of these are valid questions, but as someone who has seen the benefit of participating in masterminds, I decided to share my journey with you today! I hope you find it insightful!   The reason I launched the Franchise Tribe Mastermind for Franchisees (FranchiseTribe.com) and the brand new Franchisor Mastermind coming in January! (Get on the interest list here: https://form.jotform.com/213356704234148)   Never Stop Growing!   -Erik   ------------------------------------------------------------   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising?   Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQSFxnii9nm4p6ZFMy?si=dc5599b742044aae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franchise-secrets-podcast/id1460276956     Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalog of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

I get so many questions from franchisors in the Franchise Secrets Facebook Group (FranchiseSecretsGroup.com) and my private clients about Franchise Sales Organizations (aka FSOs):    ➡️ "What is an FSO?" ➡️ "Should I use an FSO?" ➡️ "When is the right time to use an FSO?" ➡️ "What value does an FSO provide for Franchisors?" ➡️ "Will an FSO get me more leads?" just to name a few...   My friend Ryan Zink is the Co-founder and CEO of Franchise FastLane the Nation's largest franchise sale organization awarding nearly 1,500 franchise licenses a year. I had Ryan on the podcast to give some gold nuggets for franchisors.   In this episode, Ryan and I debunk myths about FSOs, answer common questions franchisors have about the when, why, and how of using FSOs, and provide some tips for franchise development that will save you time and money.   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast on your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQS... Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...   Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalog of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_...   We have 3 curated monthly memos geared specifically to franchisees, franchise buyers, and franchisors. You can sign up for the monthly memo here: https://forms.gle/c2eiKRbDEVpCCzmQ6   Subscribe so you never miss any content: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_D...   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

What does it take to be a top franchisee?   I posted in the Franchise Secrets Facebook Group (FranchiseSecrets.com/Facebook) about what top franchisees do to get to the top.   The majority of the comments said "Just follow the system".   Is that true? Well, @Ryan Casey certainly didn't think so!   Ryan weighed in on the post and it was such a good response, I decided to bring him and a few more members of the Franchise Tribe Mastermind on to do a live video inside the Facebook Group.   Check out this great discussion!   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️     Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQSFxnii9nm4p6ZFMy?si=dc5599b742044aae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franchise-secrets-podcast/id1460276956     Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalog of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA   Subscribe so you never miss any content: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA?sub_confirmation=1   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

If you're interested in buying a #franchise, it's important to know all the facts about franchising before making your decision. Watch this video for some great tips on what you should do BEFORE buying a franchise!   In Part 1 of 2 podcasts on validation, I share my 6 must do's before you start #validation. Validation is a key step in the franchising process that can help you determine whether or not you should purchase a particular franchise.   These 6 tips are designed to help you better understand yourself as a buyer and how you can squeeze the most out of the validation process so you can make the best purchase decision possible.   Next week, I will release part 2 of this validation deep-dive: 100+ Validation Questions To Ask Franchisees ⬅️   I made a FREE PDF of these 100+ Questions available here: FranchiseSecrets.com/Validation   ------------------------------------------------------------------   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️     Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQSFxnii9nm4p6ZFMy?si=dc5599b742044aae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franchise-secrets-podcast/id1460276956     Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalog of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA   Subscribe so you never miss any content: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA?sub_confirmation=1       Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.     #FranchiseTribeMastermind #FranchiseSecrets #Franchising #Franchisee #Franchisor #Franchise

As entrepreneurs, we're always trying to optimize our time. There are only so many hours in a week that you can work...let alone that you WANT to work!⏰   If you're like me, I'm sure you've tried planners, apps, and countless other ways to protect your time from unwanted distractions. The truth is, you're never going to buy back your time until you uncover what the specific time-sucks are that keep you overextended.   This is where my friend @Craig Ballantyne comes in. He is a genius in helping entrepreneurs take back the time that they have lost to take back freedom and regain a healthy relationship with their business.   Craig and I talk extensively about practical and in-depth topics like: -Identify all your negative time sucks through self-reflection -Common Time Stealers -Distilling content for consumption -Identifying your "Magic Time" for optimum productivity -Harnessing the power of an end of day deadline   Quote to remember: “It's not about the daily increase, but the daily decrease…hack away at the non-essential” - @Bruce Lee   Be sure to check out Craig's latest book, "The Perfect Week Formula" here: https://www.amazon.com/Perfect-Week-Formula-Business-Around/dp/0996738991   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️     Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way.   Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!     Did you know you can listen to the Franchise Secrets Podcast your favorite platforms?   Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4BpskQSFxnii9nm4p6ZFMy?si=dc5599b742044aae   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/franchise-secrets-podcast/id1460276956     Don't forget to like and share this video! Check out our entire catalogue of episodes here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA   Subscribe so you never miss any content: http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGL_DGqEd54pcu_zgOICdSA?sub_confirmation=1   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.   FranchiseSecrets.com ⬅️

Establishing a sales culture in your business is crucial for vitality and longevity. Healthy businesses have proven sales processes and resources for their employees. The same goes for franchises. Resources and trainings on sales are one huge value add that franchisors can make available for franchisees--and that franchisees can provide for their managers   Ryan Casey is a sales expert.

  The marketing world is vast and can be overwhelming--particularly for emerging brands and franchisors. In an ever-changing digital space, how do you navigate the dos and don'ts of marketing?   Have we got a show for you!

Employee retention is a necessary and potentially frustrating area of discussion for franchisees, franchisors, or franchise managers. As a business owner, how do you retain good employees? Dane Espegard joins Erik to talk about the practical and tactical ways to retain employees by encouraging a culture where employees can achieve their dreams within the workplace. Who will benefit from this podcast: Franchisors ⬅️ Franchisees ⬅️ Franchise Managers ⬅️ Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️ Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way. Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info! Dane Espegard has developed a culture centered around ‘Dreams' that has led to consistent and explosive growth within his business. Dane is the author of "The Dream Machine" The Dream Machine is an A-Z guide on how to set up a Culture of Achieving your Dreams for the workplace. The book breakdowns the Dreams Culture into very easy implementable steps that any team in any industry can implement. The reader will learn how to facilitate a Dreams Retreat, how to encourage sharing, and how to turn this into action. Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

If you're a franchisee, chances are you have growth on your mind quite often! If only there were ways to shortcut the process...

Have you ever had a conversation with someone that you keep coming back to? A conversation that provided you a ton of value? Well, that's how our conversation went with Cameron Herold early on on the Franchise Story Podcast. That's why I decided to share it with you all! ------------------------------------------------------------------ In this episode, we welcome Cameron Herold to talk to us about his life in franchising! He has written a number of highly valuable and industry-leading books on the subject, is a coach to high-level franchisors, and has a huge amount of experience on both sides of the franchise equation. We chat to Cameron about his history in the field, how he got a taste for the game, and the early successes that whetted his appetite. He talks to us about why he is the best at the business of business and building company culture before we discuss the importance of planning and partnering. Cameron tells us about his great strategies for delivering on promises, dealing with difficult team members, and how to get greater buy-in from your employees. He literally wrote the book on a ton of these subjects and his experience and expertise are truly inspiring for anyone interested in any part of the franchise business. For all of this and more, be sure to join us for the episode today! Key Points From This Episode: How Cameron got started in the franchising game. Cameron's experiences at 1-800-Got-Junk? and College Pro Painters. The importance of planning and knowing the road ahead. Raising prices, cleaning up, and delivering on promises. Key tactics when dealing with employees and getting them to commit to the cause Some great examples of company culture and emotional commitment. Working on your business versus working in your business. Why you should look for ‘entrepreneurs' with ‘interdependence' for your franchise. Cameron's experiences in the stages of franchising. What made Cameron fall in love with his job. The value of partnering and fresh energy. Executive assistants and why they should be your first hire. The role of the entrepreneur and the amount of work to do. And much more!   Tweetables: “Unless you have a plan to hit your goal you will miss.” — @CameronHerold [0:07:04] “We just followed the system and if the system did not exist we were independent enough that we would make it up on our own.” — @CameronHerold [0:25:22] Links Mentioned in Today's Episode: Cameron Herold — https://www.cameronherold.com College Pro — https://www.collegepro.com 1-800-GOT-JUNK? — https://www.1800gotjunk.com/us_en The Miracle Morning for Entrepreneurs — https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1942589123/ Jim Collins — https://www.jimcollins.com Second in Command Podcast — https://cooalliance.com/podcasts/ Michael Gerber — https://michaelegerbercompanies.com The E-Myth — https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Revisited-Small-Businesses-About/dp/0887307280 Mastering the Rockefeller Habits — https://www.amazon.com/Mastering-Rockefeller-Habits- Increase-Growing/dp/0978774957 Good to Great — https://www.amazon.com/Good-Great-Some-Companies-Others/dp/0066620996/ Five Dysfunctions of a Team — https://www.amazon.com/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership- Lencioni-ebook/dp/B006960LQW/ Free PR — https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619615282/ Meetings Suck -- https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1619614146/   -------------------------------------------------------------   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

What does it take to franchise a business? If you own a successful business, you've probably thought that a time or two. Franchising is a great option, but it's not easy. Successful franchise models are systematized and replicable and it takes a lot of work to get a business to that point!   Today I sit down with Brandon Cerrito and Eric Anderson of The Carpet Chemist to dive deep into their first experience in franchising. We talk about the process of franchise development, the do's and don'ts of training franchisees, and when and why you should be picky as a franchisor when awarding new franchises.   If you're a new franchisor, an emerging brand, or thinking about franchising your business, this episode is for you! Take a listen and learn from someone who is right in the thick of the franchising process! ------------------------------------------------------------------ Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way. Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Today I'm joined by Yogurtland Founder, Phillip Chang, to talk about brand expansion in the face of changing consumer demand. Phillip has recently launched Holsom, a fresh addition to Yogurtland's successful empire. Their website describes the new direction like this: "Holsom by Yogurtland adds delicious new ways to create with grain bowls, sweet and savory toasts and handcrafted beverages that pair well with Yogurtland's signature frozen yogurt and toppings for dessert." We talk about everything from customer response to franchisee response. This is a great episode for franchisors to get a behind-the-scenes look into the nitty-gritty of brand expansion and addition. Phillip has also created Egg N' Bird, a new concept inspired by street food with flavors from all around the world. Interested in learning more? Check out their websites below!   https://www.yogurt-land.com ⬅️ https://www.yogurt-land.com/holsom/ ⬅️ https://www.eggnbird.com ⬅️   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert. Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way. Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!

In Episode 120 of Franchise Secrets, we take a look at some of our favorite parts of our top episodes! Check out these Gold Nuggets of wisdom from some of our top-tier guests! Have you joined our FREE Facebook Group yet? The Franchise Secrets Facebook group is the largest and most helpful group in all of franchising. Check it out here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com Are you a franchisee looking to be part of a tight-knit community with other growth-minded franchisees? The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of entrepreneurs who are looking to shortcut the path to success by learning and growing together! Check it out here: FranchiseTribe.com Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Franchise buyers! Should you be working with a Franchise Consultant? Erik dives into this question from his experience as a franchise consultant, franchisee, and franchisor. Before you start your buying process, there are some important questions you need to ask yourself! This episode will help you identify the things you need to know as you begin your journey into franchising!   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Erik welcomes Born From The Lime co-founder and 2-Time Great Food Truck Race Winner, Daniel Shemtob to the Franchise Secrets podcast to share his journey from food truck extraordinaire to Franchisor! Erik and Daniel talk about the progression of the business, Daniel's process in deciding to enter a partnership, what it was like winning a Food Network competition not once, but twice, and what led to the decision to franchise Born From The Lime Truck. Check out more about Daniel and Born From The Lime Truck at www.thelimetruck.com. Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way. Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info! Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Erik is in the Hot Seat this week as he is interviewed by the first-ever Franchise Secrets guest host, Jared Montz! Tune in and get the scoop on the real Erik Van Horn!   Looking to dive deeper into the world of franchising? Join the largest, most helpful Facebook group in franchising here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com   Growth is much easier when you're surrounded by like-minded, driven people. The Franchise Tribe Mastermind is full of successful Franchisees who are looking to shortcut the path to success and add value to other people while developing a tight-knit community along the way. Sound like a good fit for you? Check out FranchiseTribe.com for more info!   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.      

Erik is joined by Shelly Sun, CEO & Founder of BrightStar Care. Shelly talks about her journey of becoming a franchisor, outlining expert advice for business owners looking to scale their businesses through franchising as well as franchisees evaluating which franchisors to partner with. If you're on the fence about becoming a franchisor, this episode is for you!  Shelly's book "Grow Smart, Risk Less" is available here: http://growsmartriskless.com   Shelly Sun is the CEO & Founder of BrightStar Care. As a result of her leadership, she has been named one of the top 25 highest rated CEOs in the United States (the only female honored) during the COVID-19 crisis, and was named one of the Top 100 Female Founders of 2020.   Shelly built the company from the ground up when she realized there wasn’t a high-quality, dependable care provider that she felt would take care of her aging grandmother better than she could. She was an angry consumer working at a large insurance firm, and just like the rest of us, demanded the best care for her family. Instead of standing by idly watching her grandmother receive sub-par care, BrightStar Care was born. From day one, the company has operated under the belief that every client is one-of-a-kind, so their care should be too. This philosophy helped BrightStar Care become the company it is today. In 2005, they started franchising the business, with nearly 340 locations today. In under 5 years of the birth of the business, Shelly took BrightStar Care from a $1 million dollar business to over $100 million, and was the first (and only) franchising company in the US to specialize in both medical and non-medical health care staffing. With this past year, the pandemic was extremely scary - especially being in the healthcare industry. The fact that BrightStar Care is thriving with new clients daily is a true testament to Shelly’s leadership. She acts fast, cares for her staff, and is truly making a difference. At the onset of the pandemic, she made PPE a top priority, investing more than $2 million into building a centralized fulfillment center to ensure franchisees had access to the supplies they need. But she didn’t stop there - they also made this fulfillment center available to the entire franchise community. Additionally, they have partnerships with many Fortune 500 companies to help with screening their employees so they can have peace of mind when coming to work. With vaccines now available, BrightStar Care is committed to being part of the solution, with many franchisees leading their communities by offering nurses to local organizations to administer vaccinations. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Join the FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com   Join the Franchise Tribe Mastermind: FranchiseTribe.com   Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.        

You've heard it a million times; "It's not what you know, it's who you know." But how do you go about networking in the right way? Erik and Justin Donald share their dos and don'ts of networking. The truth is, there are right and wrong ways to network. The wrong ways lead to dead ends and the right ways lead to genuine relationships and possible deal flow. Check out the full video and remember, Motive Matters!    Join the Franchise Secrets Facebook Group Here: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com   Join the Franchise Tribe Mastermind: FranchiseTribe.com   Learn more about Justin and Lifestyle Investor: https://justindonald.com/   Justin Donald has mastered the low-risk cash flow investment principles he shares with entrepreneurs around the world. These principles center on creating passive income and significant wealth while liberating yourself from a day-to-day job. His innovative mindset principles and 10 commandments of Lifestyle Investing have released scores of entrepreneurs from the “golden handcuffs” that came with running life-consuming enterprises. Justin’s 10 commandments are revealed in inspiring detail in his book, The Lifestyle Investor. In it, he shares the secrets that empowered him to multiply his net worth to over eight figures in less than two years – before doubling it just two years later. Now he focuses on showing today’s entrepreneurs and business executives how to think and invest to limit risk and maximize repeatable returns through his proven passive income cash flow strategies. Justin’s principles enable you to move from an “earned income” career to support your lifestyle with passive cash flow investments that give you the absolute freedom to live the life you truly desire. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.

Anne Huntington Sharma talks growing up in a franchising family: learning from her franchisor parents, pivoting during a national crisis, and the future of Huntington Learning Center. Anne Huntington Sharma is the President and a Board Member of Huntington Learning Center, the nation's leading tutoring and test prep provider. Anne oversees business strategy and growth initiatives, including partnerships, marketing, digital transformation, and franchise expansion. Anne is involved in the arts as a collector, producer, philanthropist, curator, and founder of AMH Industries, a creative agency for contemporary art and culture. She has curated more than 30 exhibits across the country and raised over $30 million dollars for various philanthropic causes. Anne is also an associate producer on "The Price of Everything," an art documentary that appeared on HBO. Additionally, Anne is active with arts, education, and business organizations. She is a board member for the Learning Disabilities Association of America, Art Advisory Board member for NYC’s Coalition for the Homeless, member of the Women’s Franchise Committee for the International Franchise Association, Co-Chair of the Young Collectors Council, and member of the International Directors Council at the Guggenheim Museum, and a founding member of the Future Leadership Council at the Whitney Museum. She also supports Teaching Matters, CHADD, and COPAA. For her service, Anne has been recognized by SmartCEO, Apollo Magazine, and Moves Magazine. ------------------------------------------------------------------ Erik Van Horn is a franchising specialist, and expert in multi-unit, semi-absentee franchise business ownership. From entrepreneur to regional developer, and investor to consultant, Erik has worn many hats over the last two decades, which has provided him unique insight into complex aspects of the industry. If you're a franchisee, a franchisor, or one aspiring to be, subscribe to the Franchise Secrets channel and visit www.FranchiseSecrets.com for even more tactical and practical tools to help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert. Join our FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group: FranchiseSecretsGroup.com ⬅️ Join the Franchise Tribe Mastermind: FranchiseTribe.com

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by another member of the Mighty Dog Roofing family -- founder Jon Sabo. The guys talk about the partnership between Mighty Dog Roofing and Horsepower Brands, why Jon chose Erik and Horsepower Brands and what sets them apart from the others, the decision to start franchising the company, and forming an emerging brand. For anyone thinking of either buying a franchise or turning your company into a franchise, this is a must-listen episode. It’s packed with great insight on things like rapid growth, partnerships, and the challenges faced along the way.  Listen to Erik and Jon talk about Mighty Dog Roofing: Introduction Lifestyle business (2:45) Erik and Jon talk about what Mighty Dog Roofing initially was and some of the reasons why they decided to franchise and expand fast. Why choose Horsepower Brands (3:26) With his business already established but a desire to grow quickly, Jon teamed up with Erik and Horsepower brands. He explains the rationale for his pick. You don’t know what you don’t know (5:55) Every business faces challenges but by teaming up with Erik and Horsepower Brands, Jon was able to circumvent some of those before they ever became problems. He shares some of the things that he’s glad he had an experienced partner to help him out with. Going alone vs. Partnering (10:33) Having seen insane growth in a short time, Jon believes it would have taken him years to get to where Mighty Dog Roofing is right now.  Slow vs. Fast growth (13:38) There’s major risk with rapid growth of a franchise. Jon shares his thoughts on choosing slower growth compared to fast growth. Advice for those thinking about franchising their business (17:09) For those that already have an established business and are thinking about franchising it, there are things you should consider. Having gone through it himself, Jon details what business owners should consider before pulling the trigger. The ethical draw (19:14) When Jon was thinking about partnering with another brand to grow Mighty Dog Roofing, it was the integrity he saw in Erik and Horsepower Brands that drew him to them. Jon’s role in the company (20:23) Jon has taken a new role within Mighty Dog Roofing, training franchisees. Focusing franchisees (21:38) When coaching franchisees on what’s needed to run and grow a successful business, there is sometimes a need to refocus them on the most important parts of the business. Erik and Jon talk about what they look for to determine that refocusing is needed and how they coach the franchisees up.  Why franchise (23:00) Despite a pretty comfortable life with money in the bank, Jon explains his decision to start franchising and growing the brand, requiring more work and time. Jon’s background (24:00) Jon explains the work he did prior to starting Mighty Dog Roofing, including his time in the Marines. What makes Mighty Dog Roofing different? (28:03) Good brands are built on the idea that they do something unique and above the others in that space. For Mighty Dog Roofing, Jon believes it’s the company’s ability to stay ahead of the curve. Last bits of advice (32:06) Jon shares the few things that he thinks franchisees and franchisors should know, including the importance of open communication. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this special episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik talks with one of Mighty Dog Roofing’s newest franchisees, Chris Rahill. In what will be a multi-part series, Erik and Chris will go through every step of the franchise process -- From discovery day and buying the franchise, and eventually operating the business.  Hear Chris’s excitement, his fears, and his experience buying and running a franchise as he goes through it. Though he’s just beginning now, follow Chris on his journey as a Mighty Dog Roofing franchisee for his unique insight on everything to do with the franchise. Listen to Erik and Chris talk about his franchise journey: Chris’ background in the corporate world (1:27) Having just left his corporate job to buy a Mighty Dog Roofing franchise, Chris details his experience in finance. Discovery day (3:21) Chris shares his experience with the discovery process before buying a franchise and what he’s seen during the discovery day for Mighty Dog Roofing Franchisor’s perspective (17:36) With Chris’s side of the story down, Erik shares what it was like as the franchisor during discovery day and beyond, signing franchisees up. Signing agreements and wiring funds (22:00) With a decision made to buy a Mighty Dog Roofing franchise, Chris talks about what was going through his mind signing the agreements, wiring money over, and officially becoming an owner of a franchise. Getting advice (24:18) It’s a big decision to buy a franchise and getting advice from others is a sound strategy. Erik and Chris talk about where he got his advice and why it’s important to go to people where you want to be. The leadership team (34:09) As Chris notes, he wanted to own his own business and he wanted to go with people that have already been there at the highest levels. He explains how Mighty Dog Roofing’s leadership team was a big sell for him. Last bits of wisdom (37:38) Before closing out the interview, Chris shares some of his insight for anyone looking to buy a franchise. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Tommy Mello, the founder of A1 Garage Door Service and the host of the Home Service Expert podcast. Erik and Tommy do a deep dive into sales, marketing, and recruiting for service-based companies. While many business owners focus their attention on doing the work itself, creating processes and tracking KPIs is critical to success and growth. As Tommy and Erik detail in this episode, investing in your processes, your research, and your employees can allow an entrepreneur to make decisions based on facts, not feelings. Listen to Erik and Tommy talk about sales, marketing, and recruiting: Tommy’s background (1:02) Tommy shares his journey to the point where he started A1 Garage Door Service. Family business (2:38) Tommy talks about working with family, including some of the challenges he’s had working with family members. A1 Garage Door growth (5:36) As Tommy noted, he didn’t plan for the company to grow as it has. He attributes the growth to managing the company with facts, not feelings. That means tracking KPIs and creating the type of raw data needed to make big decisions. Embracing technology (7:00) Erik and Tommy continue to discuss the use of technology, especially CRMs, to track KPIs. Building up the company (9:40) Tommy breaks down how he’s built the company to the size it currently is -- from creating standard procedures and manuals to tracking every part of the business.  Getting focused (12:22) Erik and Tommy talk about becoming laser-focused on their core business and how they’ve managed to push away distractions. Traction (16:23) Tommy and Erik discuss the system and book “Traction” and implementing the culture into a business. Next steps (17:26) Tommy details what the company’s current plans are, including some aggressive growth targets. He also explains some of the things the company is doing to achieve those goals. Sales (24:50) Tommy shares how he’s built up A1 Garage Door Service’s sales and some examples of how to build relationships with customers. Consuming content (28:17) Erik and Tommy talk about how they read books and consume other types of content to become better entrepreneurs. Tommy explains his process for creating notes and points out a few books he’s read. Recruiting (34:10) Tommy shares his insights on hiring employees and employee management, including having recruiters. Training (37:33) As Tommy notes, there are three main focus points in training -- Operational, technical, and sales. Poor practices among competitors (41:55) Tommy shares some of the things he sees his competitors doing wrong and his philosophy on things like pay and tenure. Lead sources (46:55) Lead sources like Angie’s List and Thumbtack are a staple of the industry. Tommy explains how he handles those types of services but points to search engine optimization and Google ads as a far better value. Final bits of wisdom (50:50) Tommy shares a few bits of his insight. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Jennie Wolff, the chief marketing officer at Sola Salon Studios. Erik and Jennie discuss what makes a successful franchise marketing strategy. No matter your product or service, being creating and knowing some basics are all you need to create a successful marketing campaign. Jennie details her experiences in marketing -- both for an agency and for Sola Salons -- to explain what good marketing looks like and how franchises can find more success by knowing their story. Listen to Erik and Jennie talk about franchise marketing: Jennie’s background and experience (2:43) Erik and Jennie discuss her background at Sola Salon Studios and some new moves the company has made. Experience-based marketing agency (9:47) Erik and Jennie take a step back to her time working with a marketing agency that focused on creating experiences, and how great writing can be the foundation of any marketing strategy. From how her several job interviews with the company went through to specific examples of projects she took on, Jennie breaks down her versatility as a marketer. Finding vendors in marketing (19:03) Jennie shares her experience finding various vendors for marketing tasks, from dipping into her own network to using a staffing service. She also explains that not every task needs to be filled permanently. Franchise marketing at Sola Salons (23:06) After joining Sola Salons, Jennie was thrown into the fire with franchisees wanting and needing things immediately. She shares some of her first experiences and challenges, as well as how the relationship between marketing and the franchisees has changed over time. How private equity changed things (30:38) As Sola Salons was bought out by a private equity firm, things have changed dramatically for Jennie and the marketing department. Bigger budgets and the ability to leverage new software solutions have allowed the marketing strategy to expand dramatically. What good marketing looks like (33:24) As Jennie notes, good marketing is all about knowing your customers and how to reach them. She believes being able to get into the head of your customers should be the chief concern for any marketing plan. Erik and Jennie discuss how good storytelling is another major key for any business. Successful marketing strategies for emerging brands (39:59) Jennie believes knowing just two things is the foundation for any successful marketing strategy. 1) What makes your product or service special, and 2) Who you’re solving a problem for. Knowing those answers determine your company’s story and that’s the best way to market any emerging brand. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Mighty Dog Roofing co-founder and CFO, Tony Hulbert. Erik and Tony discuss everything to do with business KPI metrics and using them to hold people accountable. No matter what department, defining your KPIs and setting goals is the only way to determine if everyone is hitting their marks. Whether it’s something high-level for the entire business or just an individual’s performance, properly defined and measured KPI metrics allow businesses to notice trends early and hold everyone accountable   Listen to Erik and Tony talk about business KPI metrics: Tony’s background (1:47) Tony goes over his experience prior to Mighty Dog Roofing, including working as a CFO for a large Pepsi distributor. Business KPI metrics and dashboards (5:38) With an accounting background, Tony discusses how he gathers the right data to determine KPIs to create dashboards for a company. Getting people to buy into business KPI metrics (10:01) As Tony and Erik point out, not everyone wants to define their KPIs and be measured by them. Tony believes that hiring the right people from the start is the best way to get them on board with being measured. However, he also thinks you can guide employees into accepting it by helping to establish the business KPI metrics together. Leading vs. Lagging indicators (12:57) Tony breaks down the differences between leading and lagging indicators, how to measure them, and how important they are to a business. Dashboards: Purpose and important data points (16:32) Tony explains the purpose of a dashboard, highlighting how it can make you aware of key indicators earlier. Erik and Tony also breaks down some of the important data points you should have on your dashboard. Accountability (33:12) With your business KPI metrics defined, it’s now about holding people accountable to them. Erik and Tony talk about the importance of keeping everyone accountable  “Traction” (35:14) Tony shares his experience with “Traction” and how implementing it fully allows the business to practically run itself. Visionary vs. Implementer (37:24) Erik says entrepreneurs should read the book “Rocketfuel,” which breaks down people into two key subsections: Visionaries or Implementers. Erik believes understanding the characteristics of both people will allow you to better understand the people you’re working with and how to maximize their potential.  Overview of “Traction” (41:00) Tony discusses the key components of “Traction” and how the vision step really drives everything else. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Robert Bruski, a co-founder of CTRL V to discuss VR franchising and how he’s building an emerging brand. Robert breaks down his experience going from working in the Canadian version of Wallstreet to creating a VR franchise, while also talking about how he’s building the franchise into an emerging brand and all that comes with it. Listen to Erik and Robert talk about VR franchises: Introduction to Robert and his company (1:18) Robert explains what his company does and what a typical customer experiences when walking in the door. VR equipment (2:14) Erik asks Robert about the equipment used and the benefits of coming to a CTRL V location compared to doing it at home. Canadian Wallstreet and  (4:29) Robert details his background in Canada’s version of Wallstreet, including some of the big money he used to manage and why he eventually left. Robert also talks about his path from Baystreet to VR franchising. Becoming a franchisor (7:24) Business was going well but Robert wanted to begin franchising. He walks Erik through the steps he had to take creating a whole new industry, including the timeline for opening the very first franchise location. Robert also breaks down some of the initial problems they faced as new franchisors. Challenges and lessons from the first franchise (13:26) With their first franchisee, CTRL V was learning on the fly in many ways. Robert shares some of the things he learned along the way, from what processes are needed and how to handle franchisees. Supporting franchisees (16:03) Robert believes supporting his franchisees involves building relationships with them and including them. Erik and Robert break down who should be handling that role, at least early on. How to build better franchisee/franchisor relationships (19:50) Robert discusses what he believes is the foundation for forming a good franchisee/franchisor relationship Emerging brands (22:31) Not every emerging brand can handle blowing up, with many falling down as they begin to scale. Erik and Robert talk about how franchisors have to work a little extra hard as they start to become an emerging brand in order to ensure they stay around.  Embracing the grind (26:35) Erik and Robert discuss how successful people often have the ability and love to grind and hustle. Robert also shares his thoughts on how entrepreneurs can regain that ability and love when it has waned a bit. Advice to new franchisees who are excited (28:47) Robert and Erik detail the realities for those new franchisees who are excited to get started. Unfortunately, the beginning stages of opening a franchise involves a lot of hurry-and-wait. Potential pitfalls (32:09) Erik believes the best franchises are more than just processes and resources, they can actually prevent certain pitfalls.  Happiness (37:30) Robert believes a person’s happiness sets the foundation for their life to be better. However, life doesn’t always want to cooperate, which is why Robert also prays and meditates at the beginning of the day to start fresh. Resources for the audience (41:56) Robert details what resources he’s currently reading and listening to and how much time he’s dedicating to them in order to improve. Last bits of wisdom (43:53) Robert and Erik discuss the idea that founders don’t necessarily make great franchisors and how to know, as a founder, when it’s time to step back or step up. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group CTRL V franchising opportunities - Email Mighty Dog Roofing franchising opportunities - Email

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Heather and Jerel Tomasello to talk about working with family in business. As a husband and wife pair, Heather and Jerel have reached big heights in the world of franchising. They’ve also had to deal with the difficulties being business partners brings and how that impacts their relationship. Managing the balance of family and business is key in a family business Jerel and Heather discuss how they got started in franchising, why they choose the franchising model despite having business experience, and how they’ve managed to balance family and business. Listen to Erik, Jerel, and Heather talk about family business: Introduction Getting started (4:39) Heather and Jerel discuss their background and how they decided to start a business together. Working together (4:31) Heather and Jerel explain how they figured out each others’ strengths and weaknesses in business and how they best worked together as a pair. Spouse, not employee (9:00) Jerel and Heather share the difficulties of working together as business partners and spouses, including the times when the two don’t mesh well together. They talk about how they’ve been able to work out those bumps and Erik shares his own experiences. What businesses are they in now (15:38) Jerel and Heather talk about what they’re currently doing in business. Going from corporate to entrepreneurship (19:17) Jerel went from working for a franchisor back into entrepreneurship. He tells Erik how working on both sides has allowed him to know what he wants. Balancing business and family (22:14) Heather and Jerel have worked hard to balance their business side with their family and how much to bring their children into the mix. Pushing children into business (28:25) Erik, Heather, and Jerel talk about when and how parents should teach their children about business. Why buy a franchise? (31:42) With Jerel and Heather having business experience before starting a franchise, Erik wants to know why they chose franchising. Using the franchise community to your benefit (35:16) Erik notes how some people don’t take advantage of the wealth of experience in the franchising community. Heather and Jerel discuss their own experiences and why they believe it happens. Getting into a new system (37:16) Jerel discusses what he likes about the Joe Homebuyers franchise and what he does to pick up the most knowledge possible in a new system. Consuming content (40:19) As Jerel notes, everyone doesn’t have to have all the information but knowing where to get it and sharing it among franchisees provides real value.  Remaining wisdom (43:57) Heather and Jerel share a few parting thoughts Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Stan Friedman to discuss how to find the best emerging and established brands. As a franchising veteran and high-level executive at several companies, Stan brings a wealth of experience to the table. Whether it’s finding the best emerging and established brands to get involved with or how to beat out the bigger brands, Stan has seen and done it all in franchising. Listen to Erik and Stan talk about emerging and established brands: Introduction  How Stan found franchising (2:10) Stan explains how he entered the world of franchising after an unstable career in radio. He went through a program that taught him how to market and offer franchises to large real estate brokers who were suffering under the reign of RE/MAX.  Competing with the big players (4:26) At the time, RE/MAX was snapping up the best agents by offering competition commission deals. In working for ERA Franchises, Stan offered a better alternative to those who didn’t want to cross over to RE/MAX. Conversion franchising (6:36) Stan talks about the method of conversion franchising, which is identifying the top players in a field and going after their base. He touches on how this is a strategic, proactive and more efficient alternative to just advertising to everyone and hoping for the best.  How Google changed franchising (10:15) Stan discusses how the internet, and the wealth of information that comes with it, has changed the franchising game. The franchisor and franchisee dynamic has shifted, giving franchisees more power. The franchisor needs to adapt to meeting potential franchisees on their terms.  Researching the right franchisees (12:57) Stan emphasizes the importance of finding the right initial franchisees by researching their backgrounds. Ultimately, the success of the first franchisees is the success of the franchisor.  Collecting data (15:22) Stan believes the best tool is the ability to collect as much data as possible in order to make more intentional and informed decisions What Stan does now (18:07) Nowadays, Stan is the president of FRM Solutions, which produces customizable tools for franchisors to use to help better manage their system. He also hosts his own podcast, Franchise Today, which brings in successful guests to help educate those in franchising.  Mastermind groups (23:56) Stan has recently started new projects to aid emerging franchisors by creating educational peer groups. Stan and Erik discuss the value in these mastermind networks, how they began and how they can improve your career and life.  Emerging and established brands (27:05) Stan pinpoints what separates a successful emerging brand from all the others. He explains how leadership, mentality, values, and collaboration allows certain emerging brands to excel.  Brand loyalty (28:36) Stan urges new franchisees to find the brand, culture, and values that align with their interests. He stresses discovering what is best for you and your passions. He encourages any franchisee to explore the culture on the ground level before becoming involved. Trainers and tools (32:20) Stan states that the most imperative employee in a franchise is the trainer. He says look at what a franchisor has invested in their trainers and tools that ensure a franchisee’s success. He highlights the tools and the positions the franchisor has set up in order to decide your own involvement.  How Covid-19 distinguished the best brands (35:27) The best way to judge if a franchisee should get involved with a certain brand is to look at how they handled Covid-19. How did a franchisor help aid their franchisee in a time of crisis? Stan says look at the behavior—it will reveal everything. The most memorable people (40:09) Stan talks about his interaction with Jimmy John Liautaud, whose interview stuck with him to this day. He touches on how Jimmy John’s approach to business epitomized giving back to the team and collaborating with others. To Stan, Jimmy John’s interview represented the spirit of franchising: making others and yourself successful.  Struggling franchisees (42:18) Stan gives an analogy of planting a garden to explain how struggling franchisees can pivot to start excelling. He explains how to distinguish systemic failure from personal, and what to do once you’ve examined yourself and your franchise. Lastly, Stan and Erik discuss playing to your strengths and finding the right franchise for you, whether that is emerging or established. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Tim Jolicoeur to talk about his journey with Nutrishop and Restore fitness franchises. From his beginnings in the Marines and starting a flooring business to eventually opening Restore, Tim has found success through his passions Health and fitness franchise opportunities can be really rewarding Tim owns several Nutrishop locations and a Restore franchise. After being in the Marines and suffering from severe pain, Tim wanted to help others like him find some relief. Since that time, he’s opened three Nutrishop locations and Restore to provide health and wellness options.  Listen to Erik and Tim talk about fitness franchise opportunities: Introduction Tim’s military background and start with a fitness franchise (1:21) Time explains why he went into the Marines, how it helped him, and how pain eventually forced him out of the military and into franchising. Expansion (4:47) After opening his first Nutrishop location in 2014, Tim has expanded into three units. He explains his journey in expanding the business over the years. Mental toughness (7:17) As Tim opened his third location, the SBA loan wasn’t coming through fast enough so he bankrolled the project himself. Erik and Tim talk about where the mental toughness to do that came from. Opening Restore (8:50) After having three Nutrishop locations, Tim opened up a completely new franchise called Restore. They do a variety of direct therapies, including IV, stretch, red light, and more. Tim explains the concept and how he got it started. What lessons have been learned about bigger deals (12:26) Erik notes that both he and Tim started with smaller businesses before jumping into a bigger and more expensive franchise system. Tim shares some of his insight about what he’s learned from making that jump. Restore franchise: What they do well and what they don’t  (14:18) Tim discusses what the Restore franchise does well, including leadership. He also talks about what Restore has struggled with, from communication to a lack of in-house tools. Becoming part of the solution (16:10) As Tim and Erik note, the early days of a franchisor can be a little rough around the edges. Instead of complaining or wallowing in defeat, Tim believes being proactive is the first step to finding a solution. Employees - Crossover (19:05) Tim opens up about how his leadership crosses over between his fitness franchises, especially as they continue to grow. Further expansion (20:50) Erik and Tim talk about how big the businesses are currently and what expansion plans are for both Nutrishop and Restore. Military and franchising (22:19) Erik wonders what veterans should know about getting into franchising after they’re done with their military careers. Tim, as a veteran himself, shares his thoughts. Hours (25:16) The grind is real and Erik wants to know just how many hours Tim is currently putting into his businesses and where those hours go. Tim says his time is shifting from working in the business and more on the business and himself. The concept of Restore (29:13) With so many unique services, Tim details how they create a plan for clients and what some of the services actually are. Local business networking (31:31) Networking is one of the best ways to drive customers in the door and help build connections with other businesses. Tim and Erik share some personal stories and insights on how to properly network. Expanding into a 2nd brand (35:22) With Tim’s experience opening two different brands, Erik picks his brain for some tips and tricks to ensure the best results as well as what went both right and wrong for him. Finding passion (40:28) Not every franchise is going to get your blood pumping with excitement. Erik and Tim explain how everyone can find their passion, even if they aren’t necessarily working in/on a business that excites them. Favorite charities and books (44:51) Tim talks about why he supports certain charities and the few books he’d recommend to any entrepreneur or franchisee.

Erik is joined by John Warrillow on this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast to talk about building and selling a business. The guys break down some of the myths and pitfalls about selling your business, all the things you need to be thinking about from the very start, and how to achieve the highest value possible for your business. Before selling a business, you have to build it up the right way first John Warrillow is a master of building and selling businesses, founding The Value Builder System to help others become the same. John’s a best-selling author of several business books on the topic and he’s the host of Built To Sell Radio, interviewing hundreds of successful founders following their exit. Listen to Erik and John talk about selling a business: Introduction John’s background (1:40) John discusses his experience and what you might know him from. Selling a business too reliant on the owner (2:55) Erik asks John about the difficulties of selling a business that is so reliant on the owner and their inability to take a step back. How to perform due diligence in equity companies (4:44) John gives his thoughts on selling a percentage of a business to a private equity company, including where there are risks and what you should be looking for in any deal. When to think about building a sellable business (9:45) John likes building a business to being a parent. While you might have dreams of what it could become, simply nurturing the company to be the best it possibly can is the best way of building a sellable business. How to know when you’re in the right mindset (13:01) Following up on the last topic, Erik and John talk about knowing when you’ve got the right entrepreneurial mindset to build and sell a business. John also breaks down how basing your company around your personal brand actually hurts when selling a business. Finding higher-multiple businesses (15:45) When beginning with building and selling a business in mind, finding the ones with a higher-multiple exit is ideal. But where do you go to find those types of businesses? John explains some of the myths and misnomers with the idea, as well as what you really should be using to find the real value.  What can impact Discounted Cash Flow valuations (18:00) Erik and John talk a bit about how things like leases impact the value of a business and how to calculate Discounted Cash Flow (DCF). Calculating Discounted Cash Flow for a business on a downward trend (21:12) Selling a business that’s successful is always the goal but if you’re looking to sell and revenue is expected to take a hit in the coming years, John notes that it’ll dramatically impact your Discounted Cash Flow valuation and could even kill the deal.  What is gross margin? (28:03) John explains what gross margin is, how to calculate it, and how important it can be when selling a business. The impact of COVID-19 on selling a business (29:51) Erik uses the example of fitness businesses and the struggle they’re having during the pandemic to ask John about the difficulties of buying and selling businesses right now. John breaks down what things both sellers and buyers should consider going into a deal. The differences between selling to individuals and private equity group (38:07) Not every sale is going to be the same and depending on who you sell to, there are major differences. John breaks down how and why selling a business to an individual differs from selling to an individual. Pre-diligence (39:40) John explains what pre-diligence is and what it encompasses, giving an example of what it looks like and the impact it can have. What is a virtual data room (42:09) John details what a data room is and how it’s used for sellers and buyers. Key takeaways from “Built to sell” (43:34) One of John’s books “Built to sell” is about the process of turning a company’s diverse set of offerings into more of a niche service in order to sell the business. Erik and John talk about how that process would work with Mighty Dog Roofing. Do potential buyers look at customer reviews? (48:03) John discusses how customer reviews and Net Promoter Score can have an impact on selling a business. Key takeaways from “The art of selling your business” (49:10) John discusses his book “The art of selling your business” and how he wrote it as a field guide of sorts for the process of selling a business. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Tippi Toes Dance - Website Who is your mama - Podcast Built to sell - Website

On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Megan Reilly, the co-founder and COO of Tippi Toes Dance. Megan shares her experience running a business as a hands-on mother of three daughters, as well as appearing on Shark Tank.  Appearing on Shark Tank isn’t a silver bullet Megan takes Erik on a deep dive into her appearance on Shark Tank, including how she and her sister prepared and what she’s taken away from the experience. She also shares some behind-the-scenes information about how the deal they accepted on the show eventually fell through after the cameras were finished rolling. This is the perfect episode for working parents, those that want to franchise their business the right way, and anyone potentially thinking about appearing on Shark Tank. Listen to Erik and Megan talk about Shark Tank and parenting as a business owner: Introduction Being a mom and running a business (2:06) Megan talks about her three daughters and touches on both the hurdles and advantages of being a hands-on parent while running a business. From having conference calls with kids screaming in the background to educating them about business, Erik and Megan talk about their children and some of the ways they’ve helped them form business ideas. Knowing when to take a break (10:37) It can be easy to get into the routine of working to build your business but one of the hardest things for business owners can be knowing when to take a break. Erik and Megan discuss what their own tells are. Starting Tippi Toes (12:25) Megan shares the story of her sister, Sarah, starting Tippi Toes. After losing her waitressing job, the idea to go into schools and teach dance sprang into Sarah’s mind. Megan joined soon after. When did the business take off? (15:15) With Megan still in school and earning a degree in nutrition, Sarah was doing Tippi Toes full time. It was at that point both Megan and Sarah realized the business was taking off. They spent the next 10 years building up the brand across the country before opening their first official franchise. Franchising the business (19:56) After failing to create a television show, someone pointed out franchising the business was a viable option. Megan opens up about their process, from hiring a consultant to help set it up to spending a full year working with just one franchisee to ensure their processes were correct and well tested. Shark Tank (24:29) Megan and Sarah went on Shark Tank to pitch their television show but quickly found the panel to be far more interested in their business. Megan shares her belief on whether their advice to drop the show was correct. Preparing for Shark Tank (26:48) Megan talks about her experiences preparing for the show, including some of the things she studied for. What she learned on Shark Tank (29:04) Megan and Erik discuss some of the lessons learned after appearing on Shark Tank, including the confidence gained from being so prepared. Erik opens up about how he prepares (or sometimes doesn’t prepare) for each show. Deal or no deal (31:30) Despite agreeing to a deal with Mark Cuban on the show, Megan explains how some issues with contract language stopped everything right in its tracks. Why did they want to make a deal (35:09) Megan talks through some of the reasons she went on the show and wanted to make a deal in the first place. Where is Tippi Toes now (36:46) Megan and her sister have expanded Tippi Toes to 35 domestic franchises and another franchise in China. She also talks about the difficulties of the business through the pandemic and how they’ve helped their franchisees. Who is your mama podcast (41:02) Erik and Megan talk about her podcast, which talks to the mothers of some important and high-profile people, including major brand CEOs. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Tippi Toes Dance - Website Who is your mama - Podcast

The Secrets to Franchise Success with Erik Varn Horn Summary: What are some of the most critical things that contribute to a franchise’s success? Is it the brand? The system? Or a reliable franchisor? Erik is a multi-brand, multi-unit franchisee and a highly sought after franchise consultant. His franchisee experience includes Liberty Tax, Sola Salon, Club Pilates and YogaSix. Erik is also a successful real estate investor and has interests in commercial developments, hotels, and luxury apartments. In this episode, Erik joins us to explain what makes a successful franchise operation tick. He shares how he manages to operate multiple franchise operations remotely as he travels the world to pursue his other interests and passions.  Erik reveals how you can find opportunities within the franchising world, and then implement systems and processes that help you profitably scale up. This show will be particularly interesting to entrepreneurs and professionals who are looking to augment and even replace their main source of income. We hope you enjoy this show! Key Takeaways: 02:07 – How Erik kickstarted his real estate business 02:07 – Desperate for funds, Erik starts a lawn-mowing business 03:06 – How Erik cracked his first real estate deal 05:00 – Funding his first franchise with the profits from his first deal 09:20 – Erik ventures into the franchise business 09:20 – Buys a Liberty tax franchise inspite of having zero experience in taxation 10:55 – Should you invest in a franchise with a seasonal business cycle?  11:50 – Scaling up business in Austin to 42 stores 12:57 – Mistakes that Erik made in his first year 13:35 – Can a “fix and flip” model work for the franchise industry? 15:18 – Can you be completely hands-off while managing a franchise? 15:46 – How Erik sold off his salon franchise business in Orange County to a PE firm 20:35 – Scaling up the business 21:02 – As a franchisor for the roofing industry 21:22 – Conducting Masterminds to help others grow and scale 22:04 – Manages a Facebook community to facilitate peer to peer interaction 24:23 – Feasible franchise options for real estate investors 25:50 – Resources to find opportunities 29:16 – Can you passively scale up a franchise?  30:10 – The right BRAND and right PEOPLE 30:34 – Who is the right person to manage your franchise? 31:12 – How can you find him/her? 31:48 – Should you give away some equity in your business to your manager? Erik shares his own personal experience 34:00 – How are employee contracts typically structured? 36:49 – Why did Quiznos fold up their operations?  40:53 – How to conduct due diligence and locate a lucrative franchise opportunity 42:53 – Erik recommends asking broad questions rather than specific ones 43:47 – Minimum investment required to buy a franchise 44:32 – Minimum network requirements 45:53 – Typical cost breakdown 47:30 – Should you consider investing in an owner-operator franchise?  51:11 – According to Erik, which sector provides some of the best franchising opportunities 52:08 – How getting in early can prove to be incredibly lucrative 54:43 – Erik shares why he doesn’t give much importance to the total royalty percentage  56:56 – Managing Remotely 59:00 – Empowering managers to take decisions independently 01:01:40 – His biggest challenge 01:03:33 – Collaboration between the franchisor and franchisee can help improve systems and processes  01:10:00 – Staying on the top of your finances 01:11:22 – Erik prefers daily reporting   01:13:45 – Erik’s real estate investments 01:13:45 – His foray into commercial development 01:15:22 – Also invests in hotels and luxury apartments 01:18:43 – Reveals he is looking to invest in mobile homes and storage units 01:19:54 – Networking tips to connect with influencers and like-minded people 01:26:56 – One resource/app that Erik uses on a regular basis 01:28:28 – One thing that Erik wishes he could have done differently   Quotes: “I realized that I did not need to find the money to invest in real estate. I just needed to find the deal”. “The best thing to invest in is real estate and businesses”. “As an entrepreneur, you are always looking to grow something bigger and better”. “A good franchisor is looking at doing things that can help the franchise, and doing these things at a scale that the franchisee cannot” “When you are looking at a brand, system trumps product all day long” “If you are always doing stuff, you are not solving problems. And I want to be a problem solver”. “I think the best franchisors have this open environment where franchisees can come to them” “The franchisor gets better because of the franchisee”. “I treat everyone how I expect to be treated”. Resources: Founder’s Club Oliver Graf Erik’s LinkedIn Franchise Secrets Otter.ai

While the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted so many businesses around the country, now might be the perfect time to actually expand. With franchises hurting and possibly looking to get out, those thinking long-term have access to more affordable avenues of business expansion right now. Business expansion during a pandemic On this episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, Erik is joined by Todd Bains, the owner of several Massage Envy and Sports Clips franchises. Erik talks to Todd about his recent expansion, including buying seven more locations. Listen to Erik and Todd talk about business expansion: Introduction Todd’s franchise portfolio (0:55) Todd explains what franchises and businesses he currently has Why Todd is expanding business during a pandemic (2:45) Todd is about to open seven more SportsClips franchises. He tells Erik why he’s expanding during the middle of the coronavirus pandemic. Legacy franchising (6:43) Erik has noticed a lot of people want to start a franchise for legacy purposes, to pass down to their children. Todd talks about his son’s journey through the family businesses to the point where he started his own business. Business expansion in a pandemic (13:55) Todd explains the reasoning for his desire to expand during the pandemic, including what the potential long-term growth process is. Buying a Massage Envy right now (15:00) Erik asks Todd how easy it is to buy a Massage Envy franchise during the pandemic. They talk about the risks and difficulties of buying existing franchise locations during the pandemic. Why Todd is comfortable with business expansion in a pandemic (16:45) Many people would stay away from expanding during these uncertain times. Todd explains to Erik why he’s doing it and they talk about why that makes sense. Increasing your pricing (18:26) Erik and Todd break down why increasing your pricing is necessary and why they believe some owners are hesitant to do it. Erik shares some of his experience with price increases and how he was able to do it. Value of outside help (23:40) Todd had his managers take a sales training course with Orange Theory’s Ryan Casey. Todd talks about how the process went and what the end results were for his businesses. Heading into the new year (31:00) Todd talks about his goals for 2021 and how he’s handled the pandemic thus far. Links: Franchise Secrets - Website Franchise Secrets - Facebook group Regal Pet Resort - Website