Franchise Interviews

  Today we will ask Santa for a particular franchise.  Find out who made the list and listen to an interview with each franchise opportunity.  On the first day of Christmas we ask for the Amramp franchise opportunity.  Listen to the interview to find out why! Founded in 1998 by Julian Gordon, Amramp has continued to grow as the leading provider of modular wheelchair ramps, stairlifts, vertical platform lifts and other accessibility solutions. About the Amramp Team The Amramp Team manufactures their modular wheelchair ramps in historic Boston, Massachusetts. Amramp started more than 40 years ago as a producer of architectural metal items used by contractors and architects. Amramp produced stairs, rails, fire doors and security products for doors and windows. In 1998 Amramp patented a unique modular wheelchair ramp system that has become their signature product. Amramp has expanded their product line to include other products that make life accessible, such as stairlifts, vertical platform lifts, grab bars

. As they were living out their dreams as members of the LSU basketball team traveling the country, they had the opportunity to visit some of the best restaurants/sports bars and began recognizing the need for such a concept in back in Baton Rouge. The idea for Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar started to take shape 35,000 feet up in the air as they sketched out their vision for a floor plan on the back of a napkin while the team flew home from a game. They turned in their idea as a class project and received a C, being told it needed some work. Despite having little business experience and even less financial backing the two incorporated the traits they learned on the basketball court – hard work, dedication, and commitment to excellence – into their vision. On September 9, 2003 their shared dream became a reality as Walk-On’s opened for business in the shadows of LSU’s Tiger Stadium. The business took off – the brand started growing through corporate locations and launched its official franchise opportunity. In

Several years ago, we interviewed the Bin There Dump That franchise opportunity when they awarded their 100th franchise unit.  Today, Bin There Dump That currently has more than 158 territories across North America with 6,000 dumpsters in operation; all territories are locally owned and operated.  Today, we are welcoming back John Ferracuti, Chief Operating Officer of Bin There Dump That to discuss the milestones Bin There Dump that has accomplished over the last several years.  Bin There Dump That has been in the dumpster rental industry since 2004. Their dumpster rental franchise started in Canada and quickly became the leading dumpster rental franchise in all in a short period of time.  Development plans include growing to 300 territories by 2028.  In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  

You many have heard about Breakfast at Tiffany’s but what about Breakfast as Six Disciplines.  In Parts One and Two, we are meeting with Gary Harpst of Six Disciplines! Did you know ninety percent of well-formulated strategies fail to be successfully executed due to lack of commitment to programs focused on sustainability? Six Disciplines, a unique consulting firm built around the concept of business implementation coaching services, is doing its part to combat this growing trend. With clients spanning several industries including manufacturing, services, media and government, Six Disciplines designs an individualized approach to sustainable business excellence for companies through the use of templates, training, tutorials and surveys. In Part Three we meet with Six Disciplines Coach Eric Kurjan.  Eric is getting small business leaders to bring him into their team and work to align their mission and vision. Instead of cutting costs, they are incurring upfront costs for his time in an effort to save costs

We have a great show this evening.  We are meeting with the Franchise King Joel Libava.  Joel Libava has been tagged "The Franchise King" for a good reason. Joel is an author and a brutally honest entrepreneur focused on making sure that prospective franchise owners don't lose their money. In Part One, we discuss "The Essential Steps to Researching a Franchise Opportunity". Joel asks and answers the following questions to our listeners: Do you know how to conduct your introductory phone call with the franchise companies? Do you know what questions to ask the franchise company? Do you know what the franchise companies can and cannot tell you? Do you know how to get invited to a Discovery Day? Do you know the Number #1 question that you must ask the franchisor? In Part Two, Joel discusses his book Become a Franchise Owner! The book is full of great information.  For example, Joel describes how to choose the right franchise for your specific situation.  He also lists the 40 crucial questions to a

Scott Shane, a leading expert in entrepreneurial activity in the United States and other countries, draws on the data from extensive research to provide accurate, useful information about who becomes an entrepreneur and why, how businesses are started, which factors lead to success and which predict a likely failure.  Dr. Scott Shane is the author of over 60 scholarly articles on entrepreneurship and innovation management.  Dr. Shane is currently a Professor of Entrepreneurial Studies and a Professor of Economics at Case Western Reserve University. We start the show discussing his popular book, The Illusions of Entrepreneurship.  Scott Shane, challenges the myths we hold about entrepreneurs in America - who they are, what they do, and how they succeed. The book shows that the reality of entrepreneurship is decidedly different from the myths that have come to surround it. In Part Two, we discuss his fascinating book, Born Entrepreneurs, Born Leaders. This is the first book to review the entire range of scien

We are meeting with  Joe Giammona of The Drivers Training Group — Former Green Beret Joe Giammona has made it his mission to keep his community safe. Now, as the CEO of The Drivers Training Group, he runs The Drivers Training Group that employs off-duty or former police officers to teach drivers ed. The Driver Training Group is the parent company of two education schools for driving, the SWERVE Driving School and the 911 Driving School. Its mission is to inspire and educate, engage and motivate drivers to perform better behind the wheel. The company has developed a number of programs for new teen drivers that go beyond traditional driving lessons or driver’s ed. The Driver Training Group’s ultimate goal is to create an enhanced driving school experience and challenge student drivers to be collision free for life. The business’ innovative approach to driving lessons makes learning fun in a challenging way, and actually improves the rate at which drivers retain the information by incorporating leading mental

We are meeting with Melissa Chordock, President of AKT.  Founded in 2013 by international fitness expert, Anna Kaiser, AKT is a revolutionary fitness technique concept rooted in dance and functional training. With thousands of clients visiting per week, including celebrities like Kelly Ripa and Shakira, AKT provides members with an ever-changing curriculum that combines a customized mixture of its four core modalities (toning, dance, interval training and circuit training) to deliver a fun, high-energy and full-body workout experience like no other. Headquartered in Irvine, Ca. with studio locations in New York City, Hamptons, AKT is backed by Xponential Fitness, a team with more than 25 years’ experience in fitness franchising.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  

Marathons are boring. So are gyms. Tough Mudder Bootcamp reinvented endurance events, now they are reinventing your workout. Plus, big box gyms don't even work. That's why they spent the past year incognito, prototyping and developing a unique program designed to challenge and train all levels, combining high intensity interval training with team workouts. This is not an indoor jungle gym - there aren't any obstacles. It's functional fitness for life, not just a Tough Mudder event. Each day’s 45 minute class delivers a full-body workout that is fun, unique and challenging. Their 6 classes are built against four fitness pillars - Power, Strength, Endurance and Agility - and each class is supported by our custom tech platform that delivers movements at each class station, allowing coaches to actually coach. Plus, there are new workouts daily, keeping classes diverse and exciting. We have a great show today.  We are meeting with  Will Dean, founder and CEO of Tough Mudder Bootcamp.  At Tough Mudder Bootcamp,

Warren Greshes is one of the top motivational speakers in the world.   We start the interview discussing entrepreneurship.  Next, Warren discusses 16 rock solid rules for achieving sales success.  Lastly,if you want your employees to perform at their best, then you need to become the best damn manager ever, someone who can inspire and motivate your staff. The Best Damn Management Book Ever teaches frantrepreneurs, managers, executives, and business owners how to do just that. From the highly praised author of The Best Damn Sales Book Ever, this concise trove of management wisdom outlines the nine keys to creating self-motivated high-achievers.  

Every business has a story.  We are meeting with Morgan Rothschild — CEO of Party Princess Productions franchise opportunity.  Party Princess Productions provides high-end birthday party character entertainment specializing in princess parties, superhero parties and many other character themed events. Their custom handcrafted costumes and wigs, along with our quality cast, ensure the most authentic performance for every special occasion. 

It was almost twenty-five years ago; I was introduced to one of the most enlightening books on entrepreneurship I have ever read. The E-Myth Revisited is one of the most successful business books of the twentieth century. It was voted the #1 business book by the Inc. 500 CEOs. It has sold several million copies, has been translated into almost 20 languages, and is recommended reading for many new franchise owners.  This interview we discuss the success of The E-Myth Revisited, Michael’s inspiration for creating “In the Dreaming Room” and my personal favorite book, “Awaking The Entrepreneur Within”.  Michael E. Gerber is a true legend of entrepreneurship. Inc. Magazine calls him “the World’s #1 Small Business Guru” — the entrepreneurial and small business thought leader who has impacted the lives of millions of individuals and hundreds of thousands of companies worldwide for over 40 years.  Michael E. Gerber is the author of the mega-bestseller “The E-Myth Revisited” and five other E-Myth books concerning s

We are meeting with with Mike Weinberger from Maui Wowi.  Since 1983, Maui Wowi® has embraced the Hawaiian culture and has been serving paradise in a cup since the day it began, 35 years ago. From event carts, mall kiosks and stand-alone retail locations, Maui Wowi offers premium smoothies, as well as gourmet Hawaiian coffees and espresso beverages. The company maintains strong community involvement through fundraising efforts by its franchisees, in addition to Team Karma; an initiative that promotes corporate responsibility and giving back to the community. The brand has more than 450 operating units and an online store. In November 2015, Maui Wowi was acquired by Kahala Brands™, one of the fastest growing franchising companies in the world with a portfolio of 27 quick-service restaurant brands and approximately 2900 locations in 28 countries.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. 

We are meeting with Ken Petersen, Founder of Apricot Lane Boutique – a national fashion boutique franchise offering branded apparel, accessories and gifts.  Apricot Lane has 75+ boutiques nationwide, and is the leading women’s fashion boutique franchise. With the company’s business model, franchisees are individual expert merchandise buyers who take advantage of vendor-leveraged discounts to curate their boutique with quality, affordable merchandise that keeps up with their community’s style. Every Apricot Lane boutique is locally-owned and carries a mix of established and up-and-coming brands – many of which are not yet available at traditional retailers.   Firefighter to Fashion – Many grow up with a dream of being a firefighter. For Ken Petersen, this was only half of his dream. While working as a firefighter in Vacaville, California in the 70’s, Ken opened his own retail store that specialized in collectables (like Beanie Babies), a popular consumer trend at the time. Midway in his career, Ken suffe

We are meeting with franchise author and expert Christy Wilson Delk…As a Business Professor at Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida and with over 15 years of franchise ownership (including a very successful franchise exit), Christy Wilson Delk has the business acumen to inspire franchise owners and help them achieve their greatest potential. Her new book, Adventures in Franchise Ownership outlines her 4 Pillars Approach to Strengthen, Protect and Grow Your Business and includes advice from over a dozen other top performing franchisees representing multiple business segments. My Adventure In Franchise Ownership -I admit, there were many times that I felt tired, alone and frustrated about my ability to run my business consistently well. I was disappointed that there was nothing available to help me and other franchisees get through the tough times. I learned quickly that the franchisor could only do so much and that the rest was up to ME.That’s when I put the 4 Pillars Approach in place at my franchise. Aft

We are meeting with John O' Brien of Poolwerx.  Founded in 1992, Poolwerx is one of the world’s largest pool and hot tub / spa maintenance providers. Their United States operations are headquartered in their 10,000 sf, state-of-the-art training facility and support center in Dallas, TX. From here, the corporate team supports our dedicated Franchise Partners and thousands of satisfied clients throughout the Sunbelt Region. Ranked #183 on Entrepreneur magazine’s 2018 Annual Franchise 500 List, our goal is to continue our growth and further expand our operational footprint. Up until the age of 25, John O’Brien had no clue that franchising existed. Then when a colleague told him about the industry – his entire life changed. O’Brien began traveling the world learning more about the franchise industry, and eventually returned home to Australia to begin his own franchise, Poolwerx. The brand quickly expanded from a 10 truck fleet to a booming international business with locations in Australia, New Zealand and the

We are meeting with Charlie Graves, CEO of Athletic Republic, the industry’s leading performance sports training center franchise, proving that science-based training is the best way for serious athletes to improve. The company has been using its method for the last 27 years using their Test-Teach-Train approach, and athletes are continuing to see results. Athletic Republic is known for its individualized, small-group training and proprietary equipment, like the ice-skating treadmill. The company currently has over 115 locations and is actively franchising to grow by 100 franchises in the next three years.  In part two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with  Lou DeFrancisco, the President of StretchLab.  With people all over the country flocking to boutique fitness concepts of all kinds that demand rigorous workouts to help transform the body, the importance of active recovery and overall wellness is beginning to take a front seat. After only announcing its franchise opportunity five months ago, StretchLab has signed its initial agreements to debut 31 new studios nationwide. Carving out an inclusive niche in the fitness industry for all ages, fitness levels, genders and sizes, StretchLab is the first boutique wellness franchise that offers one-on-one assisted stretching services in a fun, energetic, communal environment. These agreements will propel the concept into all four regions of the U.S.    The assisted stretching market is larger than any boutique fitness studio’s clientele, as it’s not siloed for specific types of fitness levels or abilities and is inclusive to all ages, sizes and capabilities. Even though stretching is time-te

We are meeting with Shane M. Dunn, Chief Development Officer of Pedal Pub.  A few years ago, the thought of pedaling a party bike for entertainment would have seemed ludicrous, but now human-powered taverns are sweeping the nation as popular social excursions for birthday parties, bachelorette parties and more. The pedal pubs have become fixtures in more than two dozen U.S. cities – I thought you might be interested in having the brand behind the craze on your show!  Pedal Pub – a Minneapolis-based business spearheading the bike tavern experience. Following initial success with over 40 licensed locations, the brand just announced its formal franchise opportunity as it seeks to grow to 1,200 bikes by 2023. The party bikes provide guests with a uniquely fun, safe, environmentally-friendly way for groups of eight to sixteen adults to get some light exercise and fresh air while touring interesting parts of town, visiting local bars, breweries, and restaurants. COMPANY FACTS: Pedal Pub has 40 licensee locati

We are meeting with Ramon Castillon, President of Row House.  Row House, is a boutique fitness concept was created with a specific objective: To give people of all different shapes, sizes, and abilities an efficient, effective high cardio, full body workout in an inclusive group environment — and one that builds bodies up instead of breaking them down.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.