Author: Rebecca

Brad Wahl and The Learning Experience beautifully demonstrate how passion and purpose collide.  

Brad Wahl, Chief Brand Officer at The Learning Experience, is a believer and advocate for daily mega doses of happiness. In fact, he has been dubbed Sir Brad of Happyville.  

His father instilled in him the belief ‘winning isn’t worth being unhappy’. A lesson that did not diminish Brad’s competitive nature or desire to win but instead to be fully present and happy in whatever he was doing and/or to choose a different activity.   

Brad’s passion is to spark joy and happiness in others at work and through character development activities children learn at The Learning Experience including the importance of philanthropy. The Learning Experience franchisees and their students put into action these lessons by raising money for The Make A Wish Foundation. Just this past year TLE granted the wishes of 300+ children.  Making a lot of children and their families very happy.    

Clearly Brad takes his title ‘Sir Brad of Happyville’ seriously. Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Meet Brad Wahl 

As Chief Brand Officer of The Learning Experience, Brad Wahl leads a cross-functional marketing team in bringing compelling brand stories to life while developing and implementing strategic actions that inspire and engage with key audiences, amplify the overall image of the brand, increase the awareness and value of the brand, and build a unified culture around the brand.  

Brad has over 30 years of experience in brand marketing across traditional and digital marketing channels. Prior to joining The Learning Experience, he served as Vice President of Marketing for several well-known brands throughout the country, including Cracker Barrel, Kirkland’s, and The Krystal Company.  

Learn more about Brad Wahl  

Learn more about The Learning Experience 

Lynlea Rudell talks dyslexia and discipline.  

Imagine a world where things are upside down, inside out and backwards for you while others see, hear and comprehend things in a straight line. That’s what dyslexia feels like some times. Now imagine having to navigate school and work through the lens of dyslexia. According to Lynlea, because she is driven to excel, dyslexia caused her to work hard and be disciplined. Attributes that have taken her far in life and business.   

Lynlea is a true water baby. She has been swimming since a very early age. Then a competitive swimmer. Later coach to a swim team taking them to a state championship. Suffice it to say it did not come as a surprise that she decided while completing her MBA that she wanted to work with a ‘water-based’ company. For this reason and many more Pool Scouts is a perfect fit.   

Lynlea Rudell, the Director of Marketing for Pool Scouts joins special guest co-host Stacie Shannon, entrepreneurship advocate, franchise broker and the host of The Franchise Life podcast and Rebecca Monet on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Listen in to full interview here. 

Meet Lynlea Rudell  

Born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Lynlea grew up a die-hard LSU fan. As a competitive swimmer, swim coach and lifeguard, Lynlea spent a majority of her early life in the pool. After receiving an undergraduate Business degree from Elon University, she returned back to Baton Rouge, where she received her MBA from Louisiana State University. While working towards her MBA, she coached her alma mater high school swim team and led them to win the Louisiana State Championship meet.   

Lynlea joined the Pool Scouts team in 2020 and is now the Director of Marketing, dedicated to growing the brand and helping Pool Scouts’ franchisees with their marketing efforts. Lynlea has worked in marketing and advertising for 17 years. Prior to Pool Scouts, she was an Account Supervisor at Otto Design and Marketing in Norfolk, VA. There she oversaw advertising accounts of all sizes from small family-run shops to large credit unions. She is most passionate about helping others achieve their business goals.   

Lynlea lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Brian, and two children, Paige and Parker. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends at the beach and around the neighborhood.  

Learn more about Lynlea Rudell 

Learn more about Pool Scouts 

Amanda Palm, Director of Communications & Partnerships at Sport Clips Haircuts, kicks off our series on franchising makes a difference and philanthropy. And boy does she knock it out of the park in this interview! Amanda is about communication at all levels: internally at corporate, with franchisees and their teams as well as the customers and communities they serve.  

She enthusiastically sings the praises of the Sport Clips franchise model and the many “Haircuts with Heart” philanthropic programs Sport Clips is involved with including: VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program, the largest veteran scholarship of its kind; Dream Flights organization; St. Baldrick’s Foundation; and American Red Cross. 

Lisa Welko an award winning franchise consultant and, career transition specialist with Integrity Franchise Group joins Rebecca Monet as co-host in this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Listen in to Amanda Palm’s full interview. 

Meet Amanda Palm  

Amanda Palm joined Sport Clips Haircuts in April 2016 and has been involved in franchising for more than 15 years. With almost 1,900 locations nationwide, she oversees Sport Clips’ brand communications and public relations efforts as well as its “Haircuts with Heart” philanthropic programs, which include the VFW’s “Sport Clips Help A Hero Scholarship” program, the largest veteran scholarship of its kind; Dream Flights organization; St. Baldrick’s Foundation; and American Red Cross.  

 Amanda’s other franchise experience was with FOCUS Brands, where she was the internal communications manager for Schlotzsky’s, where she handled franchise communications and public relations along with the company’s charitable partnerships with JDRF and Austin Sunshine Camps. She was also the marketing manager for Texas Veterans Commission, where she worked to market benefits and services available to Texas veterans.    

Amanda is a proud graduate of Texas A&M University where she earned a degree in journalism and speech communication.   

Learn more about Amanda Palm  

Learn more about Sport Clips Haircuts  

Learn more about Haircuts With Heart  

Learn more about Help a Hero 

Stacey Firth, franchisee with 30 Minute Hit and VP of Franchise Development, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa in this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

There were 2 things that really stood out in this interview: Stacey’s high energy and strong self-awareness.  

This is a woman who puts her health and well-being at the top of the list and sets clear boundaries so individuals or situations do not encroach on her priorities.  

This is a woman who understands and accepts herself. She directs her focus and energy towards things she enjoys and is good at and deliberately stays away from things that drag her down and/or she doesn’t think she is the right person to do. In turn, she has learned how to attract, build and rely on a team to help her grow her business.  

Listen in to this young, insightful and wise woman.  

Meet Stacey Firth 

Stacey Firth started her journey into Franchising unexpectedly when she walked in to try a workout at 30 Minute Hit and instantly fell in love.  Stacey was amazed by the fun and flexible lifestyle the location’s owner was living and wanted to make that a reality for herself.  Six weeks into becoming a Member, Stacey and her husband Brett, signed their first Franchise agreement.  

Fast forward 12 years later, they have successfully owned 3 locations and now work on the Franchise Development side of the company. Stacey is a busy Mom of two boys, runs a successful franchise location and travels around to spread the word about 30 Minute Hit so potential Franchisees can learn more about this opportunity.  She believes strongly in the brand, the workout and the business model and strives to help others live the lifestyle that it’s brought her and her family.   

Learn more about Stacey Firth 

Learn more about 30 Minute Hit 

Nicole Salla claims anxiety is her superpower. Nicole’s childhood was filled with many changes which often had her feeling out of control and unsafe causing anxiety.  

In this interview, Nicole shares techniques she uses to harness her anxiety and adapt to her circumstances both professional and personally. Without giving everything away – one of our favorite techniques that Nicole uses is to articulate every fear or concern she has about an upcoming situation. Then she plays out various potential scenarios in her head so she is prepared for anything!  

No doubt we’ll see Nicole on a future TED Talk sharing her insights about anxiety and how to turn it into a superpower! 

Listen in as Nicole Salla, Chief Marketing Office at Kiddie Academy Educational Child Care, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.    

Meet Nicole Salla 

Nicole joined Kiddie Academy® in 2017 to lead the overall brand and marketing strategy for one of the nation’s fastest-growing franchisors. She is a strategic business and marketing executive that thrives on leading with a servant spirit, empathetic heart, and mentorship mentality.  

With over 25 years of marketing leadership in retail, consumer services, and senior living, her career has been primarily focused on inspiring people to make major life decisions, including entrusting the care of their children to a premier, national child care and pursuing their passion for entrepreneurship through franchising.  

She has a love for the art, science, and psychology of marketing, and brings a unique blend of strategic planning, brand development, operations, sales, creative, production, and analytical experience to her approach. She holds a MS in Business Management and Marketing and was named one of Entrepreneur’s Most Influential Women in Franchising in 2022. 

Learn more about Nicole Salla 

Learn more about Kiddie Academy 

It all started with an off the wall question and we learned the inside scoop on Jen Chaney, VP of Franchise Development at Right at Home. Who knew this innocent looking farm girl from Nebraska used to race a Corvette in open road races with her father? Jen Chaney was the navigator responsible for calculating speed and distance all while traversing corners, hills and straightaways in an effort to cross the finish line with an average speed of 120 mph for the course.  

In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide she talks about how those navigations skills have translated in her personal and professional life. You are going to want to listen in for sure!   

Meet Jen Chaney 

With nearly 20 years of experience in sales and development, Jen is responsible for the company’s growth by awarding incredible franchise opportunities to interested and eligible candidates. Jen has direct oversight of all franchise sales and development as well as existing franchise growth to drive the organization’s overall success.

Jen serves as a strategic thought leader, analyzing various opportunities to grow the business for years to come. She oversees franchise legal documentation, lead generation and strategy, as well as a team of outstanding sales and development professionals.

As a caregiver to her own mother in the last stages of her life, Jen has a personal mission to help others become entrepreneurs in a business that is rewarding in so many ways. Jen lives in Omaha, Nebraska, with her husband, Brian, and children, Gavin and Reese. 

Learn more about Jen Chaney 

Learn more about Right at Home 

Recovering perfectionist, Ashley Mitchell joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide.  

Listen in as she talks about the importance of flexibility and how she focuses on relationships and results rather than doing things perfectly.  

Ashley also shares strategies for building a synergistic team including the ‘team walk and talk’. Simply put each member puts on a pair of tennis shoes calls into a central phone number on their cell phones then heads out the door for a walk together. Topics flow freely, sometimes having nothing to do with business. It’s a time to connect, laugh and brainstorm together.  

What a fabulous idea!  

Meet Ashley Mitchell 

Ashley Mitchell has spent her entire career in marketing and communication roles. She has held several positions in which she was responsible for creating and driving marketing strategy, overseeing the growth of business through all aspects of consumer marketing and communication, contributing to overall strategic planning as part of company leadership teams and executing high-profile events, including roles with The Walt Disney Company and child service-focused franchises.

Based on her experience, she understands the importance of protecting a highly revered brand while simultaneously translating the larger brand message to a regional and local level.

In her current role as SVP of Marketing at Streamline Brands, Ashley sits on the executive leadership team and oversees marketing strategy for all lines of the business (consumer, franchise development and mergers & acquisitions) for the industry’s largest franchisor and operator of swim schools, operating as SafeSplash, Saf-T-Swim, Swimtastic, SwimLabs and Miller Swim School.

Ashley has consistently been recognized as a leader in the franchise industry, most recently as a Top Franchise Influencer in 2022. 

Learn more about Ashley Mitchell 

Learn more about Streamline Brands 

Carly Wooley went from being a big fish in a small-town pond to super connector in the ever-growing franchise pond.  

She was raised in a small town in Alabama and graduated in a class of only 24 students. Then off to Auburn University with a population of 24,000 where she learned how to connect and build relationships quickly.  

Today Carly is the Senior Director of Advertising promoting the many initiatives at the International Franchise Association. Carly has a mindset of serving others. In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide she shares her secrets for connecting and building relationships in a remote environment.  

Meet Carly Wooley  

Carly is the Senior Director of Advertising for the International Franchise Association, the world’s largest membership association for franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers.   

In her current role, Carly leads the advertising department where she is responsible for all advertising media and sponsored content opportunities available through the IFA, as well as helping member companies develop advertising strategies to reach their goals. Prior to joining the IFA in 2008, Carly was an account sales executive for an NBC affiliate television station. 

Carly received her Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing from Auburn University.  She currently resides in the Auburn, Alabama area with her husband, Jeff, and their two sons.  Carly was listed by Entrepreneur magazine as a Top Influential Women in Franchising in 2022.   

Learn more about Carly Wooley  

Learn more about International Franchise Association 

Looking to position your business to sell?  

Business transition sherpa, Laurie Barkman of SmallDotBig, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa this week on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. Laurie discusses several key elements when considering selling, merging or acquiring a business.  

Listen in as she talks about the “Owner’s Trap”, what impacts business value and ways to get ready mentally, logistically and financially to sell your business.   

Meet Laurie Barkman 

80% of business owners want to stop working in their business in the next 5-10 years, but most have not planned for that transition. Many need to improve the business first. 

Laurie Barkman is a “business transition sherpa.” With her firm, SmallDotBig, she advises owners on having more valuable, sellable businesses. And as a partner with Stony Hill Advisors, a mergers and acquisitions firm, she guides them through the complex process of letting it go.  

Laurie is the former CEO of a $100 million revenue company with an exit to a Fortune 50 company. With more than 25 years of C-Suite and award-winning marketing expertise, she provides actionable perspectives to drive sustainable value.  

Engaging audiences across the US, Laurie is an Adjunct Professor of Entrepreneurship at Carnegie Mellon University, leads executive workshops with Vistage, and hosts a weekly podcast called Succession Stories. 

Laurie earned an MBA from Carnegie Mellon University and BISILR from Cornell University. She is a certified M&A Advisor and Certified Value Builder giving her the knowledge to expertly represent clients and coach them how to maximize the value of their business. 

Learn more about Laurie Barkman 

Learn more about SmallDotBig