Ready to explore the world of commercial leasing?  Join me as I explore this topic with my latest guest, Karen Abrams!  Karen is an attorney and head of the commercial leasing practice at Paris Ackerman, LLP.  Karen generously shares her legal knowledge as well as her firsthand experience as a franchisee, her views on the semi-absentee model, and the lowdown on personal guarantees.  From rookie leasers to seasoned pros, Karen's insights are invaluable.  Plus, her unique viewpoint as a former franchisee brings an additional dimension of understanding.  She’s walked ..read more

Calling all aspiring franchisees and business owners!  In my latest podcast episode, I’m exploring the world of leasing brick-and-mortar spaces for your business.  In this episode, I'm sharing my firsthand lessons learned, covering essential considerations before you embark on property hunting, key factors to evaluate once you've identified potential properties, and actionable steps to take once you've secured a lease. Although I had prior experience leasing property for my accounting firm, searching for a commercial space with specific criteria such as optimal foot traffic, proximi ..read more

Step into the latest episode of "Demystifying Franchise Ownership," where I continue my conversation with Bennett Maxwell, Chairman of Dirty Dough Cookies!  In this episode, we talk about the way in which Bennett grew his personal brand on his social media platforms including LinkedIn.  Thanks to Bennett's extensive social media presence, he’s attracted franchisees directly through his network rather than relying on franchise brokers and consultants. But that's not all!  Discover the social media support that Dirty Dough offers its franchisees, paving the way for success in the ..read more

This is Part 1 of my interview with Bennett Maxwell, the Chairman of Dirty Dough.  Bennett shares Dirty Dough’s story including one of their missions:  "finding joy and fulfillment despite life's messiness.”  Bennett's perspective on navigating life’s challenges while still embracing joy is truly motivating.   Bennett and I also explore how Dirty Dough is reducing the barriers of entry for its franchisees by centralizing operations, creating more simplified business processes.  Lowering those barriers opens doors for many individuals who might not otherwise consider f ..read more

What do you know about franchise sectors and how do you determine which sector is the right fit for you?  Tune into this episode where I talk about some of the most common franchise sectors and arm you with knowledge which will help you identify the best sector for you. Choosing the right franchise sector is akin to finding your niche in the vast entrepreneurial landscape.   It's not just about the profitability or popularity of a sector but also about aligning with your passions and long-term goals.  In this episode, I dig into essential factors such as market trends, financia ..read more

Introducing the latest episode of "Demystifying Franchise Ownership"!  Join me as I cover the topic of grit – a trait essential for success in the franchise world.  Inspired by insights from previous guests like Kirsten Ramos and Nora Farhat, I explore what grit truly means and how it impacts your journey as a franchisee. So why is grit necessary for franchisees?  While franchising offers a proven business model, success isn't guaranteed.  In this episode, I outline why grit is crucial for navigating the ups and downs of franchise ownership, and how you can cultivate it wit ..read more

Part two of my interview with the amazing Nora Farhat is now live!   We dove deeper into why being a franchise owner is a game-changer for women and why Nora advocates for owning multiple franchise brands. Nora shares invaluable insights on being an entrepreneur and franchise owner.  Plus, she sprinkles the conversation with gems of wisdom like the importance of engaging with people in a way they truly deserve. Tune in now to catch all the inspiration and knowledge Nora shares in this episode!   Her passion is contagious. Nora Farhat and her husband own five franchise brands ..read more

I had the most inspiring chat with Nora Farhat, co-owner of not one, not two, but FIVE franchise brands!  From climbing the corporate ladder to blazing their own trail in entrepreneurship, Nora and her husband's journey is a testament to the power of grit. In part one of our conversation, Nora shares the inside scoop on how they navigated the path to owning multiple franchise brands and the secret sauce behind their success.  Nora also describes how she analyzes each of their businesses, identifying opportunities for automation, determining the necessity for comprehensive training m ..read more

In this episode I tackle a common predicament among prospective franchisees: deciphering whether a franchise system truly offers a "semi-absentee" model.   Ever found yourself drawn to the idea of semi-absentee ownership, yet unsure if it's truly feasible?  I dive into this quandary, sharing insights gleaned from my own journey and conversations with other franchisees and industry experts. Join me as I explore practical strategies for evaluating franchise opportunities, especially when it comes to balancing the desire for semi-absentee ownership with the reality on the ground ..read more

Is the allure of franchise ownership calling your name?  Before you take the plunge, listen to my latest episode where I explore the franchise sales process, and its impact on your initial investment. In this episode, I talk about why the process lacks transparency and can be confusing to prospective franchisees.  But fear not!  I've got some tips to help you navigate this complex landscape. Remember, you should feel confident and informed before investing your hard-earned money.  Tune in to learn more about the sales process and the potential impact on your financial inve ..read more