Author: Rebecca

Come with us on a ‘Chase the Discomfort’ journey guided by Brittany Driscoll. Brittany is the Co-founder and CEO of Squeeze and Okay Human and The Feel Good Company all dedicated to bettering the mind, body, and soul of individuals.  

Growth is just outside our comfort zones, yet we find a million ways to avoid going there. Why? What if you chased the discomfort? What would change? What if changing the comfort zone could actually be a thrill? Maybe even a daily goal. What would happen? What could you be, do and have?  

Listen in to this week’s The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide as we discuss this and many more eye opening topics with Brittany Driscoll.   

Meett Brittany Driscoll  

Brittany Driscoll is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Squeeze, a way better massage experience from the founders of Drybar. Since launching the Los Angeles flag ship in 2019, Squeeze is now franchising in markets across the country including Scottsdale, Dallas, Nashville, Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Charlotte, and many more.

Brittany also Co-Founded and leads The Feel-Good Company, a service agency set out to transform the way people experience retail by building and scaling a collective of female-founded wellness brands dedicated to bettering the mind, body, and soul for good. Okay Humans, a new talk therapy concept located on San Vicente Blvd in Los Angeles, is the latest brand to launch with the support of Brittany & her team. 

Brittany started her career in marketing & advertising and after a decade of creating global campaigns for Fortune 500 brands, she spent four years running marketing for Drybar where she helped take the company from $30M to more than $100M. As a female entrepreneur, cancer survivor, and wellness advocate, Brittany has a strong passion for supporting other women in business and has become a thought-leader in her community. She believes in speaking up for what you believe in, empowering people to use their voice, and that we all have the ability to change the world for good. She co-hosts the Girlfriends & Business podcast with Lori Harder & Alli Webb, created to encourage other women to take the entrepreneurial leap.

Most recently, she has committed to revolutionizing the franchise industry. After taking key learnings from franchising Drybar, Brittany is creating a way better franchise experience at Squeeze and looking to partner with successful business leaders across the country. She is dedicated to giving aspiring entrepreneurs the same opportunity she had to build and own a meaningful experience that transforms communities for good.   

Learn more about Brittany Driscoll  

Learn more about Squeeze Massage 

In every village there is a wise woman. In the Village of Franchising, her name is Edith.  

Edith Wiseman is the President of FranData, a leading franchise market research firm.  

Listen in as Edith takes off her ‘hard data’ hat and reveals her warm fuzzy heart in today’s episode of Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. 

There is much to learn about the role of empathy, including tips to listen like you’ve never listened before.  

Take out your iPad and open up One Note, because you’ll want to take notes. 

Meet Edith Wiseman  

Wiseman is President of FRANdata, a leading franchise market research firm based in Arlington Virginia. As a 20 year veteran at FRANdata, franchising is more than a passion for her, the analyzing and understanding of all things franchising and equating insight into results is her calling. Wiseman plays a pivotal leadership role in the strategic growth of FRANdata’s performance advisory, strategic marketing and franchise financing solutions.   

Due to her dedication and knowledge Wiseman is the go-to person for hundreds of franchisors, top franchise lenders, Fortune 500 companies, and industry partners. As one franchisor disruptor describes the results of her work — “we couldn’t have grown to 1,000 stores and beyond without her and her team.”     

Named by Entrepreneur magazine as a Top Influential Women in Franchising, Wiseman has long been a key figure in understanding and promoting business model excellence and franchise finance best practices. Wiseman currently sits on the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Executive Committee as part of their Board of Directors, is Chair of the IFA’s Supplier Forum and is also part of the education foundation board. She remains a strong advocate for emerging brands through her work with the Emerging Franchisor Conference Committee, and the Emerging Franchisor Task Force.   

Edith is fluent in German, a devoted mother, avid jogger and loves finding and trying out new franchises.  

Learn more about Edith Wiseman  

Learn more about FRANdata

Who says smoothies won’t sell in a cold climate?!  

Pam Vivio and her husband Mijo, co-founders of Beyond Juicery + Eatery believed cold, delicious and healthy smoothies would be welcomed in any climate including Michigan. And boy were they right!  

Listen in as Pam Vivio shares her story on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Learn more about how Beyond Juicery + Eatery focuses on making a difference by partnering with various national and local charities and organizations. Pam believes today’s employee and entrepreneur wants to do more than just make money. They want to be a vital and integral part of their communities.   

Meet Pam Vivio

Pam Vivio, co-founder of Beyond Juicery + Eatery, has always had a love for business. Growing up, she watched her father run his restaurant and learned about business initiatives and management from working alongside him. In college, Pam met her now husband, Mijo, and they both quickly learned they shared a background and love for the restaurant industry.  

Fast forward a few years and the idea to bring a healthy eatery to the Detroit area came to be thanks to the duo. With Mijo’s focus on restaurant operations and customer experiences, Pam brings a special touch to Beyond Juicery + Eatery with her keen eye for community involvement. With Pam’s commitment to the industry and degree in international business management, she helps the brand evolve with changing customer preferences which has helped the brand grow to nearly 40 locations.  

Learn more about Pam Vivio 

Learn more about Beyond Juicery + Eatery 

We predict Amy Phillips, President and CMO at Altitude Trampoline Parks will write a best-selling book entitled: The One Big Win. She’ll travel world-wide speaking to large audiences about the same topic. And you and I will be able to say we knew her when.  

You’ll want to listen in to Amy’s interview on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide with hosts Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa.  

Meet Amy Phillips

Amy Phillips is a dynamic marketing executive with more than 20 years of experience working with some of the world’s leading family entertainment brands like Pepsi, Dave & Buster’s World Headquarters, Main Event Entertainment, Drive Shack and most recently Altitude Trampoline Parks.   

As an award-winning leader, strategist and marketer, Amy has successfully developed industry changing consumer promotions and launched brand concepts that have served to positively reimagine the entire family entertainment experience. 

As an executive strategist to leading private equity companies navigating brand acquisition, she has consistently exceeded revenue goals while simultaneously increasing overall brand growth. Currently, Amy leads Altitude as the Chief Marketing Officer credited with strong strategic growth, enhanced digital and in-park experiences, compelling new guest offerings and best-in-class guest services training. In addition, she supports franchising development and operational best practices, leveraging her years of industry experience and a wide breadth of vendor relationships. 

Amy’s campaigns have yielded incredible honors such as the American Marketing Association’s (AMA) New Product Launch and AMA Marketer of the Year. Having pioneered teams that seamlessly integrate sales and marketing to create true brand ambassadorship, Amy has consistently produced year over year growth, exceeded revenue targets and led brand innovation. 

Fueled by her high energy attitude and relentless approach to being the best, Altitude is poised for continued success as Amy continues to push the boundaries of marketing, brand messaging, and guest optimization – all in the name of driving revenue and overall growth of the Altitude brand.  

Learn more about Amy Phillips 

Learn more about Altitude Trampoline Parks 

Listen in to Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Ray answers these and many more questions:  

How a man running several successful companies mentally shifts when going from one meeting, situation or decision to another in a split second, all while remain fully engaged and present?    

What role does legacy play in Ray Titus’ life and business?  

In what ways does the free enterprise system mirror Ray’s firm belief in our unalienable rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness? 

Meet Ray Titus

Ray Titus, CEO of United Franchise Group, the global leader for entrepreneurs, has elevated franchising from a career to a calling.  His philosophies on growth, positive attitude, and family, influence the core values that have driven success within the brands he has developed from conception to international expansion.   

Since the beginning of his career, Ray’s enterprising spirit was cultivated by a franchising legend, his father, Roy Titus, founder of Minute Man Press.  Their shared appreciation for innovation and resourcefulness, fueled by Ray’s determination, laid the groundwork for what has become an established and respected community within the world’s franchising industry.  

Ray founded the very first Signarama store in 1986 and since, has applied his successful business model to other business-to-business brands which currently include: Fully Promoted, Transworld Business Advisors, Venture X, Network Lead Exchange, and Preveer.  United Franchise Group has also welcomed to its family, a food division featuring: Jon Smith Subs, The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, and Graze Craze.  

Having the resources and expertise to build successful franchises, led to the formation of several organizations dedicated to advancing the franchise industry.  AFI, Accurate Franchising Inc., is a company that specializes in helping entrepreneurs transform their businesses into franchises.  Franchise Real Estate is a leading commercial real estate brokerage, consultant, and advocate serving the franchising and commercial real estate sector. Today, UFG has over 1600 franchises in more than 80 countries yet continues to remain a family business.  

Ray and his wife Andreas have lived in Palm Beach County for over 30 years and have built a UFG team in which his family is highly involved.  All three of his sons, as well as his three nephews and daughter-in-law have chosen careers within the organization making United Franchise Group a family-owned business that is truly like a family.    

Ray attended St. John Fisher College and Florida Southern College on a basketball scholarships and continues to apply the enthusiasm and sportsmanship he gained from that experience to his perspective on leadership and teamwork, which has led to many humbling awards and industry recognition. 

In 2007, Signarama became the first ever franchise to be recognized with the prestigious “E” Award which was received in the oval office from President Bush. The President’s the highest recognition for a United States entity, for its significant contributions to the expansion of U.S. exports and in 2018, Ray was honored again for his leadership, when United Franchise Group also received the coveted “E” award.  

Ray has been recognized by Ernst & Young as Florida Entrepreneur of the Year, the Counselor International Person of the Year, the American Free Enterprise Medal from Palm Beach Atlantic University, ASI’s Power 50 list of the industry’s most influential people, the Sun-Sentinel Excalibur Award and for four consecutive years, Ray was named in Stitches magazine’s “Power 75” list of most influential people. He was one of the founders of the Florida Franchisor Association. 

Ray not only participated in the World Leaders Conference, but also delivered the address in 2015. He has published several books including “Laws of Inevitability”, “Ray’s Week”, “Put a Little JJ in Your Life” and “You’re Not Listening to Me.”   

Over 15 years ago, Ray established the United Franchise Group Foundation (charitable fund).  His commitment to the local community, and to the global franchising community is epitomized by his involvement with The Titus Center for Franchising.  He and his family donated significantly to help establish the center in cooperation with Palm Beach Atlantic University. It remains the only university center in the USA, solely dedicated to teaching students the principles of franchising a business. The Titus family also established an endowed scholarship to reward selected Rinker School of Business students who are seeking a career in franchising.   

Ray’s achievements demonstrate his dedication to advancing the principles of franchising and his passion for entrepreneurship.  He has created a community within the franchising industry that values family, personal growth, and fellowship.  His outreach influences on a global scale as he continues to create opportunities for entrepreneurs to gain not only financial independence but also establish their legacy for future generations to come.  

Learn more about Ray Titus 

Learn more about United Franchise Group 

Frios Gourmet Pops is out to spread happiness throughout the world with their handmade frozen treats.  

Listen in as Happiness Hustlers, Patti Rother, Ingrid Schneider and Olivia Dandapa discuss Frios ‘Give Back Culture’ filled with creativity, inclusivity and diversity.  

Three very different women brought together with a common theme. How has their passion spread amongst their equally diverse team? What is their recipe for spreading happiness to franchisees, customers and others?  

President Patti Rother along with Chief Creative Officer Ingrid Schneider and Director of Pops Olivia Dandapa join Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Meet Patti Rother

patti rother is our president. 

sometimes we call her madam president. 

sometimes she doesn’t think we are funny. (but we are.) 

patti comes to frios with years of experience and a heart of gold. 

patti has an abnormally long wingspan and a photographic memory. 

patti plays 256 instruments. okay, we are kidding, but she plays like five, and that’s not a lie. things that make patti happy: her daughter maya,  her wife sarah’s boisterous laugh, her epic garden, spontaneous adventures, and solitude with a good book.  

Learn more about Patti Rother  

Learn more about Frios Gourmet Pops 

Meet Ingrid Schneider

ingrid wears a lot of sombreros. 

as the “chief happiness hustler,” she’s in charge of managing marketing, building a strong, fun, and natural culture that revolves around our people and she is the creative genius behind our brand. 

ingrid is the best kind of quirky, enjoys a good belly laugh, and truly knows f-u-n! most importantly, she’s the same at work. 

she’s always on the hunt for good food, adventures included. 

ingrid likes variety and has taken multiple avenues in her career, keeping it fresh and exciting. from owning body shops, managing the biggest comedy club in the nation, to restaurant entrepreneur. you name it, she’s done it. 

ingrid loves a good challenge, loves good opportunities, and absolutely loves good-hearted people. 

things that make ingrid happy: her cockapoo beatrice, an interesting podcast, music, especially live music, creative projects, an excellent deep conversation, a hearty laugh, learning something new, and coffee. 

Learn more about Ingrid Schneider

Learn more about Frios Gourmet Pops 

Meet Olivia Dandapa

olivia is quiet but fierce. 

don’t mess with her. 

she is the queen of the “happiness heroes.” 

the heroes make our pops, and there are no “happiness hustlers” and a lot less happiness throughout the land without pops. 

we always find olivia drinking coke zero or some iced coffee; she may be a caffeine addict. 

olivia is a natural at her job because she loves to cook and bake, even after she gets off work. 

if you see her driving down the street with her husband, they are most likely jamming out to their favorite indonesian songs. 

things that make olivia happy: going to the movies with her husband rendi (movies about space make her extra happy.) her cat opal is extra fluffy, kentucky basketball (we won’t tell anyone in mobile.) sleeping in on saturday. spending time with her friends and family, who mostly live far away. (she’s super loyal.) 

we are thankful to have this strong woman on our team.  

Learn more about Olivia Dandapa  

Learn more about Frios Gourmet Pops 

Barbara Moran is an artist, collaborator, rebel and overcomer who frequently goes against the grain.  

In fact, Barbara Moran went face-to-face in the battle of the sexes and won! Learn how she maneuvered through an old school mindset in a male dominate industry to become the CEO of Moran Family of Brands.  

What was her secret for success against all odds?  

Listen in.  

Don’t miss this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Trust me you’ll kick yourself if you do! 

Meet Barbara Moran

Barb is CEO and Co-founder of Moran Family of Brands including Mr. Transmission, Milex Complete Car Care, Alta Mere Automotive Outfitters and TurboTint. There are over 130 franchisees: 124 in auto repair and 15 in window film. Moran Family of Brands is in 25 states and expanding internationally with 38 locations opening soon.  

Barb currently serves as a member of the Board of Directors of the IFA – International Franchise Association, as well as a previous term from 2006 through February 2012. She has also been an active member of several committees, focusing on franchise relations, franchise mentorship and women’s mentorship.  

Currently Barbara serves as Chair to a mentorship program, Franship and is past-chair of the Franchise Relations Committee for the IFA. In 2014 Barbara was honored as the recipient of the Bonny LeVine Award by the IFA for her support and mentorship of others.  

Learn more about Barbara Moran 

Learn more about Moran Family of Brands 

Kristen Risby’s love affair with branding and marketing spans many years and continued to evolve with the digital age and her introduction to franchising.  

How would we describe Kristen?  

• Sensitive and Empathetic. Kristen truly cares about others and is committed to helping her team and franchisees get results.  
• Always Learning. Kristen is open to feedback and is endlessly curious about business, marketing, leadership and human behavior.  
• Strategic Generalist. Kristen knows a ton, but surrounds herself with knowledgeable experts so she can focus on strategy.  

Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide with Kristen Risby, VP of Franchising at Wag N’ Wash. She talks about the yada-yada, many women have in their heads that hold them back and the future of Wag N’ Wash.  

Meet Kristen Risby

Kristen Risby, VP of Franchising at Wag N’ Wash, began her professional career in franchise marketing fourteen years ago and has continued this career path ever since. Before joining Wag N’ Wash, Kristen developed her marketing expertise at WellBiz Brands, Inc., where she was responsible for shaping brand messaging and growing the marketing efforts of the entire franchise network as the Senior Director of Brand Marketing for Elements Massage, Fitness Together, and FIT36.  

Alongside WellBiz Brands, Risby also held Marketing Director roles with franchisors of established companies such as RE/MAX LLC, PostNet International, and The Little Gym International. Through these various experiences in the franchising space, Kristen possesses the vast knowledge and skill to help brands, such as Wag N’ Wash, elevate their unique brand messaging to reflect on business growth. 

 Learn more about Kristen Risby  

Learn more about Wag N’ Wash

Patricia Perry, VP of Franchise Development at Edible Arrangements joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

The theme of this interview was Educate and Empower. Patricia believes it’s our responsibility to make women and minorities aware of the career and business ownership opportunities in franchising.  

One of my favorite quotes form Patricia was:  

“Talent is equally distributed but opportunity is not.”  

This is Patricia in a nutshell: She has an eye for opportunity. She is fearless. She tends to rise to the top. She feels duty bound to empower and educate others to reach their full potential.  

Listen in and learn more about Patricia Perry and her vision for the future of franchising.   

Meet Patricia Perry

Patricia Perry is a veteran in the franchising, foodservice, retail and hospitality industries.  She serves as Vice President of Development for Edible Brands and is responsible for increasing the global market-share for the franchise brands. She oversees global franchise development, real estate, new store design, construction, licensing and consumer packaged goods and business gifting. Since early 2019, under her leadership, the brand has experienced tremendous growth signing more than 400 franchise agreements. In addition, a licensing category was launched with the introduction of Edible Music™ and Edible Cheesecake Bites. 

Prior to Edible, Patricia founded a couple of regional foodservice concepts and held leadership roles for several well – known franchise brands including Church’s Chicken, Krispy Kreme and Blink Fitness. She’s also been elected and appointed to serve on the board of a number of organizations including the Institute for Certified Franchise Executives, The Yum! Center For Global Franchise Excellence, and previously the Children’s Museum of Winston Salem & The Forsyth Technical Community College Foundation. Over the years she’s also been very involved in Big Brothers Big Sisters and Rotary International.  

Patricia attended Spelman college where she received a BS in Mathematics and a BA in Spanish. In addition, she completed her MBA and she is a Certified Franchise Executive.  

Learn more about Patricia Perry 

Learn more about Edible Arrangements 

Denise Hutton-Gosney, once a shy young girl entered the world of theater, dance, acrobatics and singing at age 11 and it changed her life. Today, her company Razzamataz Theatre Schools does the same for thousands of children in the United Kingdom.  

In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Denise talks with Rebecca Monet about: 

• Building self-confidence through self-expression and self-discipline. And how these attributes contribute to success throughout one’s life.  
• The importance of ongoing learning and being open to critique both as a performer as well as a business owner.  
• How we as women can have it all. Her motto is: Family. Career. Me.  
• The future of Razzamataz Theatre Schools, internationally and who would make a great franchisee. 

Meet Denise Hutton-Gosney

Managing Director and Founder, Razzamataz Theater Schools 

Denise is as dedicated about Razzamataz as she was when she opened her first school in 2000 in Penrith, Cumbria. Denise is still very much involved in the day to day running and decision-making and works closely with all franchisees to create schools focused on excellence in training and creating amazing opportunities for students.  

• Multi award-winning franchisor.
• Former professional dancer and acrobat. 
• Successfully appeared on BBC’s Dragons’ Den.
• Mum to two boys. 

“Razzamataz is my baby and a business that I feel so passionately about. It’s a privilege to have spent my life working in the performing arts industry and supporting franchisees to build their own successful theatre schools.” 

Fun fact: Denise is a fitness fanatic, can still do a headstand and caved into her boys when they asked for a rabbit and a hamster.   

Learn more about Denise Hutton-Gosney 

Learn more about Razzamataz Theater Schools