Franchise Unfiltered
Business & Finance
About
How to Take Control of YOUR Life, and Create FREEDOM for Yourself, Through Business OwnershipTactics and Strategies to help you make moves to get into business for yourself
Episodes
- Miserable at Her 'Dream Job' at 23 — Now She Owns 3 Franchise Brands
Anna Dey discusses her transition from a dissatisfying job at age 23 to becoming a multi-brand franchisee. The episode covers her use of ROBS for funding, evolving from an owner-operator to a team-based business model, and her philosophy o…
- Thinking About Multiple Franchise Locations? Watch This First
This Franchise Unfiltered episode addresses common misconceptions about multi-unit franchising, explaining how development timelines work, the benefits experienced operators see, and the potential downsides of opening multiple franchise lo…
- Wellness Franchise Boom: Here's Why Pause Studio Stands Out
Jeff Ono and Lisa Tengborn discuss the trillion-dollar wellness industry and Pause Studio's approach, including its credit-based membership model and focus on customer experience. They also share insights into successful franchising and co…
- This Hot Pilates Concept Was Built From a Gap in the Market
Rosalie Black founded VibeHouse Hot Pilates by identifying a need for a specific type of workout. The episode discusses the business
- Franchising Is Just a Vehicle...Are You Driving It Right?
In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes Barefoot and Jake Hamburger, co-founder of Franchise Frameworks, discuss franchising as a vehicle, not a shortcut. They examine the franchise discovery process, distinguishing between speed and…
- The Franchise That Solves a $40,000 Problem Overnight
What if a single franchise could save homeowners months of chaos, prevent $40,000 kitchen replacements, and completely transform the disaster restoration industry? In today’s episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Mike Pearce,…
- They Reinvented Music Lessons — And Turned It Into a Killer Franchise
If you've ever tried to find the right music teacher for your kids, you already know how overwhelming it can be. Musicologie fixes everything parents hate about traditional private lessons — with certified teachers, a warm community enviro…
- Why This Air Quality Franchise Is Poised to Explode in the U.S.
Modern PURAIR® has quietly dominated the Canadian indoor air quality (IAQ) space for years — and now they’re finally expanding into the United States. In this episode, founder & CEO Lane Martin shares how he scaled from a single duct truck…
- How WOW WindowBoxes Turned a Simple Idea Into a $5 Million Booming Franchise
Discover how WOW WindowBoxes grew from a simple idea in a garage to a multi-million-dollar franchise that’s transforming the home services industry. In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Bret Schneider the founder and…
- The Home-Services Goldmine Hiding in Your Yard
When most people think of franchising, they picture burgers, coffee, or car washes. But Joshua Tree Experts proves there’s massive opportunity hiding in your own backyard — literally. In this episode, Wes Barefoot sits down with Josh Malik…
- Why Zoom Drain Might Be the Sexiest Franchise You’ve Never Considered
Ever think the “sexiest” franchise would be… drains? In this Franchise Unfiltered episode, Wes sits down with Jim Foley, Brand President of Zoom Drain, to unpack a focused service model that’s creating massive opportunities in franchising.…
- Studio F: The Secret Weapon Franchisors Aren’t Using (Yet)
Franchisors are drowning in stale Zooms, dead Facebook groups, and unread newsletters. Enter Studio F—our internal podcast model that turns franchise communication into binge-worthy, high-engagement episodes your system will actually consu…
- Why He Chose Franchising Over Buying a Business (And Won Big)
🚀 Burned out from corporate America, Ryan ditched banking layoffs and the acquisition rat race to take control of his future. Instead of buying a business, he chose a Cabinet IQ franchise — and the results have been incredible. In this ep…
- Cleaning Crime Scenes & Changing Lives: The Franchise You’ve Never Heard Of
Most people don’t know this franchise even exists—but it’s one of the most impactful and emotionally intense businesses you’ll ever hear about. BioOne franchisees clean up crime scenes, drug houses, and trauma sites with a mission-first mi…
- Is This the Smartest Food Franchise Model in America?
🍕 Is This the Smartest Food Franchise Model in America? Cascadia Pizza might just be the best-kept secret in franchising. In this episode, Thomas Reinhard, co-founder of Cascadia Pizza Co., breaks down how they turned a mobile wood-fired…
- How a $20K Fitness Contest Launched Her Franchise Journey
Raisa Zovklaya didn’t have the money to start a franchise—so she entered a $20K fitness contest. She lost… but kept going anyway. In this episode, Wes sits down with Raisa to unpack her bold leap from nursing into franchise ownership with…
- He Rebranded a Bug Business into a $31B Empire
In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes Barefoot welcomes back Andy Fuller, founder and CEO of Mosquito Hunters — now expanded into Pest Hunters and Humbug Holiday Lighting. Andy shares the story behind the rebrand, the mindset shift…
- He Built a Multi-Million Dollar Franchise, Then Sold It — Here's How
After 14 years of building one of the highest-performing ShelfGenie franchises, Alan Regala sold his business and stepped into a brand-new chapter of life. In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Alan shares how he went from mechanical en…
- Why This Former Executive Bet Big on Dumpsters—and Won
In this episode of the Franchise Unfiltered podcast, Wes Barefoot sits down with Larry Oglesby—a former corporate executive turned fast-scaling franchisee. Larry shares how he transitioned from a 30-year corporate career into owning two fr…
- Meet the Fitness Franchise That’s Disrupting an Oversaturated Market
Is boutique fitness oversaturated? Discover Strength doesn’t think so — because they’re doing it completely differently. In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Scott Breimhorst, VP of Franchise Development for Discover…
- This Franchise Is Saving Teen Lives — And It’s Just Getting Started 🚗
In this episode of the Franchise Unfiltered Podcast, Wes sits down with franchise veteran Zach Beutler to talk about his latest venture: Jungle Driving — a groundbreaking driver’s education concept that's saving teen lives and reshaping wh…
- Setback To CEO: The Jaw-Dropping Comeback Story of Tim Dougherty
In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Tim Dougherty, the founder and CEO of Project Lean Nation, for one of the most jaw-dropping comeback stories in franchising. In 2006, the FBI walked into Tim’s office and charged…
- From Teaching to Franchisee: How One Woman Built a Successful Franchise During the 2008 Recession
In this episode of the Franchise Unfiltered Podcast, Wes Barefoot chats with Susan, a former teacher turned franchise owner, who started her Gotcha Covered window treatment business in the middle of the 2008 recession. Now, 17 years later,…
- Modern Fundraising for Schools: Inside the Scalable Franchise Model of Fundraising U
In this episode, Wes sits down with Mike Bahun, founder and CEO of Fundraising University, a fast-growing franchise that's transforming the way schools and sports teams raise money. Mike shares how he turned his coaching background and ent…
- How Shideler Bennett Built a $12M Crumbl Franchise & SaaS Biz Before 30
In this episode, I sit down with Shideler Bennett, a multi-unit Crumbl Cookies franchisee, SaaS founder, and business builder who scaled a $12 million portfolio by the age of 30. From cold-calling insurance agencies to building a 10-unit f…
- The Franchise Blueprint: Scaling Your Business with Franchising
🚀 Thinking about franchising your business? In this episode of Path to Freedom, I sit down with Tom DeFore, Founder & CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team, to uncover the essential steps to turning your business into a thriving franchise. 👉 We…
- How This Fitness Franchise Grew to 300+ Locations & Is Just Getting Started
In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes sits down with Rick Mayo, the founder and CEO of Alloy Personal Training. They dive deep into Alloy’s explosive growth in the franchising space, hitting over 300+ awarded licenses and the…
- How to Scale Your Business with a Virtual CFO | Jody Grunden's Expert Strategies
In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes is joined by Jody Grunden, the founder of Summit Virtual CFO by Anders. Jody pioneered the virtual CFO model over 20 years ago and has helped countless businesses optimize their financial…
- The Profit Formula Every Business Owner MUST Know!
Connect with Rocky Lalvani: Website: https://profitcomesfirst.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-lalvani/ Podcast: https://profitcomesfirst.com/podcasts/ Episode Summary: In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes sit…
- Housecall Pro: The Must-Have Software for Scaling Your Home Service Business!
In this episode of Path to Freedom, host [Your Name] sits down with Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro, to discuss how their cutting-edge software is transforming the home service industry. From streamlining operations to lever…
- How to Buy, Scale, and Sell a Franchise for Millions – Insider Tips!
In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, I sit down with Boris Katsnelson, Managing Director at Black Iron Advisors, to uncover the real playbook for franchise success. Boris shares his unique experience from buying, scaling, and se…
- Building a Monster Brand: The Rise of Monster Mini Golf
Chris King, the dynamic CEO of Monster Mini Golf, joins us for an episode filled with exciting insights into the world of indoor family entertainment. Chris shares the innovative concept behind this monster-themed wonderland, where blackli…
- The Biggest Challenges of Scaling a Business (and How to Overcome Them)
Struggling to grow your business? Feeling overwhelmed by hiring, financial challenges, and leadership shifts? In this episode, we dive deep into business scaling strategies, leadership growth, and financial management to help entrepreneurs…
- Creating Wealth Without Wall Street's Traditional Roadblocks w/ Russ Morgan
Russ Morgan from Wealth Without Wall Street makes a compelling case for financial independence through non-traditional investing strategies. What if you could attain financial freedom not by stashing cash in a 401k but by building a passiv…
- Franchise Your Future: Doug Smith on Belfor’s Winning Formula for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Unlock the secrets to franchise success as we sit down with Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Belfor Franchise Group. Discover how Belfor's unique approach to franchising—entirely rooted in the home service sect…
- Finding Freedom in Entrepreneurship with Leslie Hassler
Leslie Hassler, the dynamic president of Your Biz Rules, joins us to unravel the complex journey of finding true freedom in entrepreneurship. Many start their businesses dreaming of autonomy, only to find themselves trapped in a self-made…
- Embracing the Smart Home Revolution with Gavin Lantzy
Gavin Lancey, a pivotal figure in the smart home technology arena, joins us to unravel the exciting possibilities of this burgeoning industry. From his humble beginnings in a house painting business to leading franchise sales at Daisy, Gav…
- Sweat 440's Unique Approach to Fitness Success
Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your fitness routine with Sweat 440, the game-changing boutique fitness concept founded by Matthew Miller and Cody Patrick. Discover how their innovative rolling class schedule, with sessions starting…
- Transforming Business with AI: Strategies, Partnerships, and the Future
Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in business with Mike Liu, founder and CEO of FreeFuse, and Alex Londo, founder and CEO of Klarissa AI. Mike and Alex share their expertise on how AI goes beyond…
- Evolution of Mosquito Nix Into a Franchise Success
Join us for an enlightening conversation with Jen O'Neill, vice president of @MyMosquitoNix , as we explore the innovative approach this outdoor living brand takes to pest control. Discover how Mosquito Nix has transformed over the past tw…
- Risk, Reward, and Real Estate Insights w/ Dr. Jason Williams
Dr. Jason Williams, the innovative mind behind Ironclad Underwriting, shares his transformative journey from chemical engineering to the dynamic world of real estate investing. Join me as Dr. Jason unpacks his evolution from managing data…
- Insights into the Restoration Franchise World w/ Stefan Figley of 1-800-Packouts
Join us on the Path to Freedom Podcast as we uncover the niche business opportunity of 1-800-Packouts with Stefan Figley, the company's president. Stefan shares his insights on the packout business, an essential yet lesser-known segment of…
- FRANCHISE SPOTLIGHT: Excellent Opportunities in the Glass Industry
Unlock the secrets to thriving in the glass installation and repair industry with our latest podcast episode. Discover how this established franchise, a powerhouse since 2004, presents a resilient business model that thrives even in econom…
- Franchise Ownership 101: Secrets to Finding Your Perfect Fit
What if franchising could be your ticket to a life of freedom and flexibility? Join us on the Path to Freedom podcast as we welcome Wes, a franchise broker and consultant with firsthand experience on both sides of the franchise equation. W…
- Unlocking PR Success: Mastering Press Release Strategies for Small Businesses
What if you could transform your small business into a media sensation without breaking the bank? Join us for insights from Mickie Kennedy, founder of eReleases, as we uncover the secrets to press release success. Mickie shares his experti…
- UNLOCKING GROWTH: Matt Bodnar on Acquiring and Scaling Legacy Businesses
Matt Bodnar, founder and CEO of Eidolon Capital, takes us on a journey through the evolving landscape of acquiring old economy businesses, offering a rare peek into the world of private equity focused on the lower middle market. With a kee…
- Building Empires from Mosquitoes to Holiday Lights w/ Andy Fuller
Prepare to be inspired by the remarkable journey of Andy Fuller, the pioneering founder and CEO of Mosquito Hunters, as he shares his path from the rigid confines of corporate life to the liberating world of entrepreneurship. Andy's early…
- Innovation, Risk, and AI in The Home Organization Industry w/ Allan Young
Allan Young, the visionary co-founder of Shelf Genie and mastermind behind Art of Drawers, joins us to share his remarkable journey in the world of franchising. From pioneering custom pullout shelving solutions for kitchens and bathrooms t…
- Unlocking Success: Transformative Coaching for Business, Mindset, and Life w/ Beau Ormrod
Discover the secrets to mastering your mindset and growing your business with coaching veteran Beau Ormrod. After a transformative sabbatical in Italy and drawing inspiration from his own experiences with a life-changing coach, Beau shifte…
- Unlocking Financial Independence and Time Freedom Through Franchising
Unlock the secrets to achieving time freedom and financial independence through franchise ownership with franchising expert Wes Barefoot. Discover how Wes transitioned from a Fortune 500 employee to a thriving franchise owner and consultan…