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From the treatment room to the boardroom—this week's guest Kristi Levig shares her journey from waxing specialist to multi-unit Waxing the City franchise owner. You'll hear: ✔️ How she transitioned from manager to owner ✔️ What it's like to buy an existing studio vs. open one from scratch ✔️ The power of mentorship and building future franchisees ✔️ Why franchise support gave her the confidence to keep growing ✔️ How relationships—not money—drive her success Kristi's story is packed with optimism, grit, and inspiration for any woman considering entrepreneurship.
This week, we sit down with Loana Perez, founder and CEO of TeaCupFuls, to talk about how she turned a troubled past into a purpose-driven brand.
From condo property management to poolside entrepreneur, Carrie Waltman is one of only a handful of female franchise owners in the America's Swimming Pool Company system—and her story is all about resilience, relationships, and the power of heart-led leadership.
Join Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa as they sit down with Marcieli Pastorio, a visionary entrepreneur and CEO of Maha Juice Bar, a franchise redefining the juice bar industry with a focus on quality, kindness, and purpose. From her humble beginnings in the Amazon region of Brazil to building a successful franchise in the U.S., Marcieli's journey is one of faith, resilience, and servant leadership.
In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with the visionary entrepreneur Sophia Wastler, the founder of the Starz Program—a company dedicated to enriching children's lives through dance, sports, cheerleading, and fitness. But Sophia's mission doesn't stop there! The Starz Program also offers business ownership opportunities, empowering passionate individuals to build successful businesses while making a difference in their communities.
In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, hosts Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Danielle Wellings, the dynamic CEO of One Source Moving Solutions—a company redefining the moving experience with a compassionate, full-service approach. From growing up in a family business to building her own franchise empire, Danielle shares her incredible entrepreneurial journey, the challenges of franchising, and the deep emotional connections her company forms with the families they serve.
What would make a successful healthcare IT professional leave her career to start a concrete coatings franchise? The answer: purpose, happiness, and family. In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Krystal Greenhaw, the inspiring entrepreneur behind Wise Coatings Raleigh.
What happens when two sisters leave corporate America to start a business in a male-dominated industry? Success, resilience, and a powerful story! In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, hosts Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Brooke Yobo and Lindsay Keyser, the inspiring sister duo behind DRYmedic, a restoration franchise serving Southwest Florida.
The Advisory Board | Expert Franchising Advice for Franchise Leaders
The Advisory Board Podcast –The Exit Strategy Playbook with Pete BaldineWelcome back to another episode of The Advisory Board Podcast! As always, we bring in experts from the franchise community to provide real, actionable advice that helps you make meaningful changes in your franchise system. We're all about helping your units succeed today while also setting you up for a successful exit strategy down the road.This episode is proudly sponsored by ClientTether—a game-changer in franchise sales automation and customer engagement. Big thanks to them for supporting the show and helping franchise owners grow their businesses effectively!The Gray Tsunami: Franchising's Aging DemographicsIf you were with us at the Let's Grow event, you heard us buzzing about a big challenge in the industry—the Gray Tsunami. Every day, 1.2 million people in the U.S. turn 65, and about 35-40% of franchise owners fall into the Boomer category. This presents a huge opportunity—and challenge—for franchise systems as many longtime owners look to retire.That's why we brought in Pete Baldine, President of Moran Family of Brands, which operates Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Auto Care, Turbo Tint, and Alta Mere Automotive Outfitters. Pete has spent decades in franchising, building proactive systems to help franchisees successfully transition out of their businesses.Longevity & The Exit DilemmaAt Moran Family of Brands, 33% of franchisees have been in the system for 20+ years, and 16% for 30+ years. While that longevity is impressive, it raises a crucial question: How do we help these owners exit successfully without shrinking the system?Pete shares how his team proactively plans for franchisee exits—instead of leaving owners to figure it out alone. By implementing a strong resale program, Moran helps franchisees exit on their terms, ensuring they maximize their equity and transition to the right buyer.Why Franchisors Need an Exit StrategyToo often, franchisors focus solely on new franchise sales, neglecting end-of-cycle support for existing owners. But failing to help franchisees exit properly can result in units closing, lost brand equity, and declining system strength. Pete's solution?Start the conversation early – Moran tracks franchisee renewal dates a year in advance and starts discussing exit strategies well before expiration.Understand valuations – Educating franchisees on how EBITDA multiples affect their business's worth and ensuring their P&Ls are in order well before selling.Facilitate strong buyer matches – Using tools like the SpotOn Profile from Rebecca Monet's Zoracle Profiles, Moran ensures incoming franchisees are aligned with the system's top performers.Assist in finding buyers – Rather than forcing franchisees to find their own buyers, Moran actively supports the process, preventing deals from falling through.What Happens If You Don't Plan?Franchisors who ignore exit strategies risk:Aging franchisees who hold onto territories but stop growing their businesses.Poor resale processes that lead to franchisees closing shop instead of selling.System-wide stagnation, as untapped markets sit underutilized.Pete shares a real-life win: A longtime Moran franchisee, hesitant to sell, was guided through the resale process and handed off his store to a new owner. The result? The new franchisee brought fresh energy, increased revenue by 30%, and is now looking to buy two more locations.Building the Culture of Exit PlanningAt Moran, exit strategy isn't an afterthought—it's discussed in Discovery Day! Franchisees enter the system knowing there's a roadmap for both success and exit. This gives them confidence that when the time comes, they have the franchisor's full support.Final TakeawaysFranchise success isn't just about getting in—it's about getting out the right way. If you're a franchisor, take a page from Moran's playbook and:Integrate exit planning early in the franchise lifecycle.Actively assist franchisees with valuations, buyer matchmaking, and financing strategies.Build a culture where successful exits are just as celebrated as successful launches.A huge thank you to Pete Baldine for sharing his wisdom! If you'd like to connect with Pete, you can email him at pbaldene@moranbrands.com or call 708-297-2240.And thanks again to ClientTether for sponsoring this episode! Be sure to subscribe and stay tuned for more expert insights that help you strengthen your franchise system. Until next time!
What if a single phone call changed the course of your career? That's exactly what happened to Maddie Wofford, founder of Beheld Beauty Collective. What started as a request to assist with wedding hairstyling quickly turned into a thriving beauty business, now expanding through franchising. In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast, Maddie and her father/mentor, David Pierce, share their journey of entrepreneurship, leadership, and empowering women in business.
Join us for an inspiring episode of The Franchise Woman podcast!
The Franchise Woman Podcast: Finding Purpose in Franchising with Indi Nandhra & Anup Wassan
Welcome to The Franchise Woman Podcast!
Join us for an inspiring episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast featuring Cindy Krampetz!
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Join us for an inspiring episode of the Franchise Woman Podcast, featuring Denise Tran, co-founder and CEO of Bun Mee!
Join us for an inspiring episode of the Franchise Woman Podcast featuring Lisa Borja!
Join us for an inspiring episode of the Franchise Woman Podcast, featuring the amazing aunt-and-niece duo, Meera and Tejal Patel!
Kayla Ryan, Chief Marketing Officer at Home Run Franchises, has a rich background in franchising, starting from her teenage years working in her family's franchise businesses. Her passion for entrepreneurship led her to establish and successfully grow her own company, Flick Switch Marketing, which she sold in 2023. At Home Run Franchises, Kayla now leads multiple brands within the company, focusing on empowering franchise partners through innovative, data-driven marketing strategies and personal coaching. Kayla champions the growth of family-run franchises, viewing it as a way to support generational success and avoid high student debt. In her family-focused work culture, she sees franchisees as extended family members and fosters an environment where they can rely on her team for business and personal support. This inclusive culture has become a foundation of Home Run Franchises, where franchisees are supported as they navigate business ownership, even if they are young or new to the industry. Looking ahead, Kayla's vision for Home Run includes strategic growth into multiple brands and maintaining a supportive, family-centric environment. Kayla's dedication to responsible franchising, family businesses, and personalized support underscores her commitment to building a sustainable future for both Home Run Franchises and the wider franchising community. Listen in to the full interview here.
Megan Allen is a seasoned franchising expert with nearly 20 years of experience. She is currently the Director of Real Estate and Construction at The Dog Stop, an award-winning, all-inclusive dog care facility. Her franchising journey began at the age of 17, spanning roles in funding, financing, and executive leadership. Megan's guiding principle is "service," focusing on serving franchisees first, ensuring their success. She believes if franchisees succeed, the entire system benefits. Her goal is to empower franchisees to grow, reinvest, and build legacies. Megan credits her service-oriented mindset to her upbringing, especially her mother's involvement in community service and her father's entrepreneurial spirit. She learned the importance of helping others and has applied these values to her career in franchising. At The Dog Stop, Megan is passionate about providing a well-rounded experience for pets through multiple revenue streams (e.g., grooming, daycare, boarding). She loves the impact the business has on both dogs and communities, particularly through fostering and adoption initiatives. Listen here for the full interview with Megan Allen.
To Thomas Miskowski business is personal. He has 2 passions: hunting and making sure his franchisees are successful. Thomas Miskowski, along with a business partner Wade Nolte, acquired Kitchen Solvers in 2010; Thomas was appointed President in November 2022. With over a decade of leadership in Kitchen Solvers, Miskowski has been instrumental in driving the company's success through his commitment to franchisee satisfaction, innovation, and per-unit metrics. What a fun conversation as Tracy Kawa and Rebecca Monet and one avid hunter discuss hunting, adventure and how the skills and attributes of a good hunter transfers into a strategic and focused leader in the franchise space. Listen here to full interview.
Julie Cartwright, President for the emerging fitness juggernaut Pvolve, joins us today on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. Julie spent the majority of her career in product development, helping some of the world's most recognizable fitness personalities – Tracy Anderson, Jillian Michaels, and Leslie Sansone – develop America's favorite at-home workout videos. And at the top of her game, Cartwright left it all behind to take over what she's called “one of the most impactful fitness brands on the market.” What makes Julie, a self-proclaimed observer and introvert, a great leader? It's her ability to pick-up subtle cues, listen intently and put pieces together that others may not see, hear or recognize. Listen as she shares her story of being an empath a stealth like decision maker.
Mother-Daughter duo Gwynda Jones and Monica Nia Jones, franchisees with HOTWORX, join us today on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. We talked about their philosophy of: When the door opens walk through it and the pivotal moments in their lives that led to business ownership. Gwynda's during the pandemic, and while battling a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, she discovered the physical and mental health benefits of infrared energy, namely through working out at HOTWORX. Upon entering remission, Gwynda along with her daughter, Monica Nia, opened their HOTWORX location in Chicago's River North Neighborhood in early 2023. Monica Nia's pivotal moment was when she was fired from her first corporate job after graduating from the University of Arizona. She decided to enter the Miss Illinois Competition in 2022. Monica was crowned Miss Illinois in 2022, the first Black woman to hold the title in 20 years. She competed in the 2023 Miss America competition, where she was named “People's Choice” and finished as a top 11 finalist. Listen in to the full interview here.
The Eyes Have It. Dr. Heather M. Skeens, the visionary behind Bellasee™ Franchising, LLC, and Bellasee™ Education, joins us on The Franchise Woman podcast. Seems Dr. Skeens was destined to be the in the ‘eye' business. Recently her mother showed her a human eye model that Dr. Skeens played with when she was a child. Although she does not remember the toy, it clearly made a lasting impression. Dr. Heather M. Skeens is a renowned ophthalmologist and entrepreneur with over 21 years of experience, specializing in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive procedures. Dr. Skeens shares her journey from ophthalmologist to entrepreneur to franchisor and the mentors along the way. Listen to full interview here.
Two Life Themes Intertwine to Build Avanti Body Franchise. Terri Simpson, Founder and CEO at Avanti Body, and Andrea Dobkin, President of Franchise Development, join us today on The Franchise Woman podcast. Terri talks about her life theme of paradigm shifts. She thought she wanted to be a DJ … until she did it. Her life in radio was not for naught as she went on to work with Rush Limbaugh and owning several radio stations. Andrea Dobkin's life theme comes from the book: Love Yourself as if Your Life Depended on It, by Kamal Ravikant. This concept of loving yourself was not one discussed, encouraged or modeled by her mother or other female role models. Both Terri & Andrea encountered health issues which forced them to make a paradigm shift and begin to love themselves as if their life dependent on it … because it truly did. Listen in to this insightful interview with Terri Simpson and Andrea Dobkin.
Diana Simmons, co-founder of Simply Cabinetry, joins us today on The Franchise Woman podcast. Her biggest pet peeve is when someone says: they don't know something. As a child she was a bit reserved and awkward. In high school she was 6'3” tall. Her time was spent listening to and observing others and playing basketball. Her keen observation skills caused her to be highly empathic, capable of putting the pieces together to see the big picture and learn anything … almost through osmosis. Today, Diana enjoys translating the vision to others while pointing them in the right direction to find and implement the answers. Clearly being an empath has many benefits. Listen in to the full interview here.
More. Alesia Visconti joins us on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. She talks about the ‘more'. Why money should never be our sole motivator. There must be more and for Alesia it is to advocate, edify, and empower others. Raised by an abusive and alcoholic mother, Alesia made a conscious decision that her life would be different. She would not ‘buy into' or believe the horrible words her mother flung at her. Instead, she would live a life proving her wrong. Alesia's conviction has led to hundreds of individuals joining the ranks of business ownership. Don't let the tough New Jersey exterior fool you. Alesia has a tender heart, especially for veterans and women. In fact, even as you read this she is penning her book: The Pink Tsunami: Women's Rise in Franchising due out later this year. Listen to the full episode here.
Angela Olea is a true pioneer in the elder care space having founded Assisted Living Locators more than 20 years ago. Her daughter Angelica was often in tow as she worked with elders and their families. As the franchise system grew the franchisees became part of Angelica's family. Angela suggests franchising is in Angelica's DNA. Angelica jokingly told us that when she was younger Assisted Living Locators was the sibling she never wanted. It was that younger brother or sister who can be annoying and distracting but you love them. She found her mom's work as a nurse and entrepreneur fascinating and filled with purpose. Today, mother and daughter work closely together. Angelica as VP of Operations and Angela as Brand President of Assisted Living Locators. In this interview, you'll see chemistry, clear boundaries, mutual respect, and love. Each brings their unique, yet complementary talents and perspective to Assisted Living Locators. Listen to the full episode of The Franchise Woman podcast here.
Alison(Ali) McElroy is a recognized franchise industry leader with demonstrated success over nearly two decades in franchise and international businesses that span more than two dozen brands, over thirty countries, and thousands of franchised units.. Ali is the founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Growth Advisors LLC, a woman-owned, full-service franchise advisory firm. Listen in to Ali's interview here.
What an interesting team they make. Meet Casey Cooley, Director of Franchise Development of Real Estate at Jeremiah's Italian Ice and President of Pivotal Growth Partners, and Michael Keller, president and CEO of Jeremiah's Italian Ice. Casey is naturally geared to think in terms of effectiveness. His background working with emerging brands taught him the importance of a strong foundation. He believes well thought out systems and processes are literally what result-driven and sustainable franchises are built on. Michael is geared towards the people side of the business. He believes clear values and a team aligned with and committed to those values provide the framework (building blocks) of a successful business. A team with shared values is more synergistic, productive, and professionally fulfilled. Both Michael and Casey are in essence architects, visionaries, and leaders. Listen in to their full interview on The Franchise Woman podcast.
Erin Fletter was raised by a free-spirited mother who instilled in her an insatiable curiosity about the world, food, people, and culture. They traveled the world together staying for extended periods of time to truly immerse within that culture. Naturally, food was a large part of enjoying festivals, holidays, and other culturally diverse get-togethers. Today Erin Fletter, founder of Sticky Fingers Cooking® and five-time cookbook author, has brought these same worldwide experiences to over 150,000 students. Sticky Fingers Cooking® classes combine fresh ingredients, global flavors, math, geography, nutrition, food history—and a big dash of tasty fun! Listen in to this week's episode of The Franchise Woman podcast here.
Your Next Hello Can Be Your Future When asked what advice she would give women in business or considering business ownership, Natasha Cornstein, the CEO of Blushinton, answered: Your next hello can be your future. She shares personal stories of how her open mindset, curiosity, and talent for listening led to opportunities and friendships. So how does one do just that and do so without a hidden agenda? Listen to Natasha Cornstein's interview on this week's episode of The Franchise Woman podcast where she provides leadership insights on how a harsh negative performance review in her earlier career opened her eyes to things she still needed to learn. Blushington, the luxury blowout and makeup lounge, is disrupting the beauty industry by offering the most in-demand express beauty services all under one roof including blowouts, makeup application, and skincare.
Alicia Miller, author of Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity, joins us for the 2nd part of her interview on The Franchise Woman podcast. Check out this conversation between a franchise attorney, a behavioral scientist with expertise in franchisee performance, and a private equity advisor. As expected it can go deep strategically as well as psychologically. Alicia talks about keeping the end in mind early on as a concept originator/franchisor. And how to position the company for private equity and prepare mentally for each transition. She addresses the changes and challenges a franchise concept and its franchisees will experience in systems, culture and initiatives. Join Alicia Miller, Rebecca Monet, CEO & Chief Scientist at Zorakle Profiles, and Bruce McFarlane, franchise attorney, franchisee and investor in this lively and insightful conversation.
Welcome to The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, profits are made and relationships forged. I'm Rebecca Monet, CEO and Chief Scientist at Zorakle Profiles. Zorakle provides profiling tools to franchisors and franchise brokers to facilitate a right-fit between a prospective franchisee and a franchise concept. Our special guests today are the dynamic girl duo behind Jane DO. Former Radio City Rockettes Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo. Jane DO, a rapidly growing fitness franchise, is not only helping its clients, it's also giving women a leg up in the fitness industry by providing them with career opportunities as franchise owners and instructors. Founded with a mission to cultivate strength, confidence, and camaraderie, Jane DO has transcended the traditional boundaries of a workout studio to become a movement that champions women's wellness in every aspect, from every client that walks through the door, to every owner, operator, and trainer.
Meet Alicia Miller Alicia Miller is the author of Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity, and is the founder and managing director of Emergent Growth Advisors. Emergent is a boutique strategic advisory firm with deep expertise in franchising and private capital, and a particular focus on helping emerging brands grow smart from the beginning so they can reach their greatest potential. Alicia is an investor in both brands and multi-unit franchise operators. She is also a member of the board of governors for the International Franchise Association's Certified Franchise Executive education program; has authored numerous articles on franchising and private equity for Franchise Times, Entrepreneur, and Forbes; and has been a multi-unit franchisee. Learn more about Alicia Miller Learn more about Emergent Growth Advisors
Debbie Roxarzade, Founder and CEO of Rachel's Kitchen franchise, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. Debbie has been a leader in the restaurant industry for more than 20 years. She attributes her growth to focusing on community and giving back. With several locations throughout the Las Vegas area, Rachel's Kitchen is truly a local cafe where residents come again and again. Friends of Rachel provide community support to various charities and schools. Listen to the full interview here.
There is much wisdom behind that beautiful face. Lauren Rampello Becotte is the poster child for grit. She combines a bigger purpose with the tenacity to do and go through whatever is necessary to bring about vision. Her obsession with customer service and building long-term relationships is clear in every decision she makes and the value Pure Glow brings to clients. Don't let her youthfulness fool you … there is great wisdom behind that beautiful face. Lauren Rampello Becotte, Founder and Chief Creative Officer of Pure Glow Organic Tanning joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. Listen to the complete interview here. Follow Lauren on Instagram @laurenrampello Learn more about Lauren Rampello Becotte Learn more about Pure Glow
Growing up in a multicultural family lead to success! As a child Kathy Covington, Founder of Mantra Fitness, spent her summers in Honduras and the rest of the year in the USA. Two very different lives. Different languages. Different social economics. Initially, her time in Honduras was uncomfortable, especially as a blonde, blue-eyed girl who did not speak Spanish. In time she learned to adapt and fit in. In fact, she attributes her fearlessness, adaptability, creativity, and problem-solving skills to living bi-nationally. Listen to Kathy Covington as she joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Catch up on the Succession Stories Podcast with highlights from recent episodes. Host Laurie Barkman spotlights the challenges of business transition, M&A exits, and succession in this special Rewind episode. Topics include building a more sellable business with Jeffrey Feldberg, how to value a business with Fred Kaplan and Kristi Poszlusny, and spotting hidden risk factors in business transferability with Rebecca Monet. Whether you're a long-time listener or new to the show, subscribe to Succession Stories in your favorite podcast player, and on YouTube, so you don't miss any episodes. You can always go back and listen to earlier shows in the catalog. Enjoy today's Rewind episode of Succession Stories. Show Links: Succession Stories E105: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/105-skills-to-build-your-business-are-not-same-to-sell-it-jeffrey-feldberg/ Succession Stories E104: https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/104-business-valuation-benefits-and-myths-fred-kaplan-and-kristi-posluszny-stony-hill-advisors/ Succession Stories E:107 https://smalldotbig.com/succession-stories-podcast/107-making-your-business-transferable-rebecca-monet/ About Succession Stories Podcast Succession Stories is an award-winning podcast hosted by Laurie Barkman, The Business Transition Sherpa-- guiding business owners through the process from "transition to transaction." Subscribe to Succession Stories and share a review if you enjoy the show! Learn more at https://smalldotbig.com Book a 1:1 Advisory call at: www.meetlauriebarkman.com _______________________________________ Become an Official Patron of Succession Stories Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/lauriebarkman _______________________________________ Is this the year to sell your company? Don't leave your exit to chance. Stony Hill Advisors works with owners like you to get ready and maximize value when you're ready to sell. Visit www.stonyhilladvisors.com/podcast for a complimentary business valuation.