The Franchise Woman

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.

Faith and Fortune Today's special guests on The Franchise Woman podcast are life partners and kingdom workers, Todd Recknagel and Kristi Mailloux. Todd and Kristi talk openly about their faith and how it determines what projects and investments they make. Faith impacts everything they do including their marriage and charitable endeavors. Their company name, Three20 Capital Group, clearly demonstrates their mission: Ephesians 3:20 Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Todd and Kristi are the managing partners of Three20 Capital Group, a private investment firm focused on franchise, distribution and multi-unit investments. They have strong operational backgrounds and industry relationships. Three20 Capital Group excels in situations where they can partner with founders, management teams, and co-invest with other investment firms to build a platform that will scale and generate long-term value for all business stakeholders. Listen to their story here.

Bridging the gap between franchise brokers and franchisors Today's episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast highlights Ari O'Brien and Jason O'Brien. Husband and wife team Ari O'Brien and Jason O'Brien specialize in bridging gaps and building relationships. Jason has experience as a franchise broker and franchisor and Ari is a whizbang sales professional. Together they founded Red Rock Franchise Ventures LLC where they specialize in working with franchise consultants and Emerging Franchise Brands to grow/scale with right-fit franchisees. There are several takeaways in this interview many dealing with the importance of authentic, win-win business relationships. Listen in.

Spencer Sabatasso, the dynamic VP of Franchise Development at The Red Chickz, joins us today on The Franchise Woman podcast. It's a lively, laughter-filled conversation about growing up in Newport Beach, California in the limelight of Sabatasso Pizzeria founded by his family. Spencer's journey began in culinary arts, owning and operating successful restaurants since the mid-1990s, and holding key roles such as VP of Operations, President, and CEO. His deep industry knowledge, combined with hands-on experience as both a franchisee and franchisor, provides him with a unique perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a thriving franchise. Spencer shares the story of losing everything due to addiction and rebuilding his life through recovery. Today he shares his life and business lessons with others, and he has truly become a thought leader in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Listen to his fascinating story here.

I want to be like Doug when I grow up. Esther Cromwell, Founder and CEO of Avendelle Assisted Living joins us on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. Esther Cromwell's life started in Sri Leone, Africa where she attended a catholic boarding school. It was a cultural shock when her family moved to New York City where she attended public school. When she met and married her husband Doug, she was in for some valuable life lessons including how to budget and plan for the future. Although complete opposites personality wise, they shared core values and found they complemented each other in many ways. Their mutual admiration and love became the foundation where Esther knew together they could accomplish anything. When they moved to Maryland, Esther befriended an elderly, widowed neighbor. Esther's kindhearted nature immediately jumped in to help her neighbor and it wasn't long before Esther knew she had found her calling! Listen in to the whole story and how Esther now mentors others to grow their businesses.

Tamara Galinsky, the visionary behind JETSET Pilates, a revolutionary Reformer Pilates experience based in Miami, joins us today on The Franchise Woman Podcast. Tamara left the former Soviet Union at age 15 and moved to New York with her family. She talks about the cultural differences, the importance of adaptability, and the courage and strength of her family. Her parents were successful engineers in the Soviet Union but had to take any job they could get and accept state assistance once the family moved to the United States. An embarrassing experience in high school proved a pivotal moment where Tamara decided poverty was not for her. She wanted to be successful and set a plan into motion to do just that. Tamara went on to go to a prestigious college and build a franchise concept from the ground up. Learn more about Tamara's life and JETSET Pilates.

From Princeton Graduate to BEERpreneur. Roman Maliszewski's story is much more than just opening a bar. It's a leap from Princeton grad to advertising exec to world traveler to BEERpreneur. His unique journey, combined with his industry knowledge, has positioned Tapster at the forefront of a self-serve transformation within the bar industry! Roman Maliszewski, founder of Tapster joins us on The Franchise Woman podcast. Listen in to hear his story and catch his contagious enthusiasm.

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

Paul Linenberg is the president of Gotcha Covered, a custom window treatment franchise that has over 160 franchises in the United States and Canada combined. The company specializes in providing end-to-end consultation to its clients. Learn more about Paul Linenberg Learn more about Gotcha Covered

Did you raise your hand? Tracy Panase held the distinction of being the top performing franchisee within the Just Between Friends (JBF) system successfully owning and operating four territories in southeastern Pennsylvania. One day while on vacation a system-wide meeting was called to discuss some major changes at JBF corporate. She joined the call. In the meeting, new roles and new leaders were assigned by JBF founder Shannon Wilburn. Tracy's name was not announced. She was stumped. How was that possible? Had she not been considered? When Tracy discussed it with her husband John, he asked: Did you raise your hand? That was the turning point that led Tracy to reach out to Shannon to discuss the possible acquisition of Just Between Friends. Today Tracy is CEO and owner of Just Between Friends. She is dedicated to taking the JBF legacy and making Just Between Friends a household name. Listen to the full story on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.