Julie Cartwright, President for the emerging fitness juggernaut Pvolve, joins us today on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.
Julie spent the majority of her career in product development, helping some of the world’s most recognizable fitness personalities – Tracy Anderson, Jillian Michaels, and Leslie Sansone – develop America’s favorite at-home workout videos. And at the top of her game, Cartwright left it all behind to take over what she’s called “one of the most impactful fitness brands on the market.”
What makes Julie, a self-proclaimed observer and introvert, a great leader? It’s her ability to pick-up subtle cues, listen intently and put pieces together that others may not see, hear or recognize.
Listen as she shares her story of being an empath a stealth like decision maker.
Meet Julie Cartwright
Julie Cartwright has spent the majority of her career in product development, collaborating with some of the most iconic names in fitness—Tracy Anderson, Jillian Michaels, and Leslie Sansone—to create some of America’s most popular at-home workout videos. She later transitioned into the franchise space to spearhead the launch of the pioneering Pvolve brand.
As President from the company’s inception, Julie has been instrumental in shaping Pvolve’s success, transforming it from a small startup into a global, female-led fitness powerhouse. Under her leadership, Pvolve has expanded its footprint through live virtual classes, extensive on-demand programming, patented equipment, and a growing network of studio locations.
Mother-Daughter duo Gwynda Jones and Monica Nia Jones, franchisees with HOTWORX, join us today on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.
We talked about their philosophy of: When the door opens walk through it and the pivotal moments in their lives that led to business ownership.
Gwynda’s during the pandemic, and while battling a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, she discovered the physical and mental health benefits of infrared energy, namely through working out at HOTWORX. Upon entering remission, Gwynda along with her daughter, Monica Nia, opened their HOTWORX location in Chicago’s River North Neighborhood in early 2023.
Monica Nia’s pivotal moment was when she was fired from her first corporate job after graduating from the University of Arizona. She decided to enter the Miss Illinois Competition in 2022. Monica was crowned Miss Illinois in 2022, the first Black woman to hold the title in 20 years. She competed in the 2023 Miss America competition, where she was named “People’s Choice” and finished as a top 11 finalist.
Listen in to the full interview here.
Meet Gwynda Jones
Gwynda Jones earned her B.A. in Business Administration and Economics from Illinois State University, launching her career in Business Information Systems and Technology with GTE Data Services. Over an impressive 8-year tenure, she quickly climbed the ranks, culminating in the honor of being the Keynote Speaker at the Unitech, Inc. User Conference. There, her expertise caught the attention of the Quaker Oats Company, now PepsiCo, Inc., where she was recruited to implement a mainframe audit and control balance system into Quaker’s Master Service Agreement AR, AP, and GL systems.
This opportunity paved the way for a remarkable 30-year career with PepsiCo, Inc., during which Gwynda earned numerous accolades and certifications. Unfortunately, a debilitating medical condition prompted her to step back and focus on her health. After a long period of recovery, Gwynda eventually retired and began exploring new avenues, including franchising.
During the pandemic, while courageously battling a life-threatening cancer diagnosis, she discovered the transformative physical and mental benefits of infrared energy, particularly through HOTWORX workouts. After achieving remission, Gwynda, alongside her daughter Monica Nia, pursued a new chapter in franchising with HOTWORX, opening their River North location in Chicago in early 2023.
Monica Nia Jones is an accomplished entrepreneur and Managing Partner of HOTWORX in Chicago’s River North neighborhood, working alongside her mother, Gwynda. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business and Special Events Management from Arizona State University. After a stint in the corporate world, Monica set her sights on the Miss Illinois Competition in 2022, seeking a scholarship to further her education. Her determination paid off when she was crowned Miss Illinois, becoming the first Black woman to hold the title in 20 years.
Monica went on to compete in the 2023 Miss America competition, where she earned the “People’s Choice” award and placed in the top 11 finalists. Today, she continues to lead and grow the HOTWORX franchise, overseeing day-to-day operations that have grown their membership to over 400 active members. In addition to her business ventures, Monica is pursuing a Master’s degree in Communication to deepen her expertise in public relations, events, and marketing.
Dr. Heather M. Skeens, the visionary behind Bellasee™ Franchising, LLC, and Bellasee™ Education, joins us on The Franchise Woman podcast.
Seems Dr. Skeens was destined to be the in the ‘eye’ business. Recently her mother showed her a human eye model that Dr. Skeens played with when she was a child. Although she does not remember the toy, it clearly made a lasting impression.
Dr. Heather M. Skeens is a renowned ophthalmologist and entrepreneur with over 21 years of experience, specializing in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive procedures.
Dr. Skeens shares her journey from ophthalmologist to entrepreneur to franchisor and the mentors along the way. Listen to full interview here.
Meet Dr. Heather M. Skeens, MD, CFMP
Dr. Heather M. Skeens is a renowned ophthalmologist and entrepreneur with over 21 years of experience, specializing in corneal transplantation, cataract surgery, and refractive procedures. As the founder of the West Virginia Cornea and Cataract Center of Excellence, Dr. Skeens has advanced surgical techniques, including partial and full-thickness corneal transplants and laser cataract surgery. Her expertise extends to treating complex cases and performing anterior segment reconstruction, corneal cross-linking, and bladeless LASIK.
Dr. Skeens is also the visionary behind Bellasee™ Franchising, LLC, and Bellasee™ Education, where she merges luxury with medical precision to create transformative eye care experiences. At Bellasee™, she empowers ophthalmologists through innovative surgical training and business courses, aiming to enhance both patient care and physician well-being.
A dedicated advocate for physician entrepreneurship, Dr. Skeens founded Bellasee™ Franchising to inspire and support ophthalmologists in achieving a sustainable work-life balance. Her commitment to continuous learning, strategic technology application, and holistic well-being sets a new standard in private ophthalmology practices across the nation.
Dr. Skeens is board-certified by the American Board of Ophthalmology and is a Certified Functional Medicine Provider. Her work and research in ocular surface disease have earned her invitations to lecture at prestigious conferences, and she continues to contribute to leading medical journals.
Outside of her professional endeavors, Dr. Skeens enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, hiking, and advancing her skills in Taekwondo.
Two Life Themes Intertwine to Build Avanti Body Franchise.
Terri Simpson, Founder and CEO at Avanti Body, and Andrea Dobkin, President of Franchise Development, join us today on The Franchise Woman podcast.
Terri talks about her life theme of paradigm shifts. She thought she wanted to be a DJ … until she did it. Her life in radio was not for naught as she went on to work with Rush Limbaugh and owning several radio stations.
Andrea Dobkin’s life theme comes from the book: Love Yourself as if Your Life Depended on It, by Kamal Ravikant. This concept of loving yourself was not one discussed, encouraged or modeled by her mother or other female role models.
Both Terri & Andrea encountered health issues which forced them to make a paradigm shift and begin to love themselves as if their life dependent on it … because it truly did.
Listen in to this insightful interview with Terri Simpson and Andrea Dobkin.
Meet Andrea Dobkin
Andrea Dobkin is a distinguished business leader and the President of Franchise Development and Support at Avanti Body, a boutique wellness franchise specializing in red light therapy. With an extensive background in business development and a deep-rooted passion for health and wellness, Andrea has been pivotal in driving Avanti Body’s growth and expansion.
Andrea’s dedication to enhancing the customer experience and fostering strong relationships with both clients and franchisees is evident in her strategic leadership. She has spearheaded innovative initiatives that have significantly boosted customer retention and engagement. Her approach includes developing comprehensive training programs, optimizing operational efficiencies, and empowering franchisees to deliver exceptional service.
Andrea’s journey with Avanti Body is deeply personal. The regenerative health benefits she has experienced reinforce her belief in the transformative power of wellness, fueling her commitment to the company’s mission. Under her leadership, Avanti Body continues to make a profound impact, helping others achieve optimal health and well-being.
Terri Simpson is a visionary leader and the founder of Avanti Body, a trailblazing wellness company specializing in advanced red light therapy and holistic wellness solutions. With an unwavering commitment to transforming lives, Terri has positioned Avanti Body as a leader in scientific innovation and comprehensive health, setting new benchmarks in body rejuvenation and overall well-being.
Her leadership is defined by a relentless dedication to empowering clients through cutting-edge technology and personalized care, ensuring that regenerative therapies are accessible and affordable for all. Terri’s passion for wellness extends beyond her company; she recently authored Regenerative Aging: A Beginner’s Guide for Those Over 50, an insightful guide that reflects her deep expertise and passion for helping individuals navigate the complexities of aging with confidence and vitality.
Diana Simmons, co-founder of Simply Cabinetry, joins us today on The Franchise Woman podcast. Her biggest pet peeve is when someone says: they don’t know something.
As a child she was a bit reserved and awkward. In high school she was 6’3” tall. Her time was spent listening to and observing others and playing basketball. Her keen observation skills caused her to be highly empathic, capable of putting the pieces together to see the big picture and learn anything … almost through osmosis.
Today, Diana enjoys translating the vision to others while pointing them in the right direction to find and implement the answers. Clearly being an empath has many benefits. Listen in to the full interview here.
Meet Diana Simmons
Diana Simmons is the co-founder and CEO of Simply Cabinetry, a brand she launched with her husband in 2010. Starting from their garage in 2007, they have grown the company to redefine the cabinetry experience in their Showroom and Design Studios through streamlined planning and purchasing of factory-direct quality cabinetry. They provide simple, premium, and luxury cabinetry to industry professionals – contractors, builders, developers, interior designers, and real estate investors – as well as DIY homeowners alike! A licensed Realtor and Certified Franchise Executive, Diana leverages her deep understanding of real estate and franchising to elevate Simply Cabinetry to the next level!
As a mother of three boys, Diana infuses her work with the same energy and dedication she brings to her family life. She blends her passion for design, inherited from her mother, with sales strategies learned from her father, to lead the company’s vision of making high-quality cabinetry accessible and simple for every client. Her personal motto, “Work is what you make it, let’s make it awesome!” reflects her commitment to enhancing both homes and careers.
A former basketball team captain, she values teamwork and aims to empower others to succeed in business and life, just as she has. Upholding Simply Cabinetry’s core values of “Own it, Love it, Grow it,” Diana’s leadership is not only about achieving business goals but also about inspiring her team, franchisees, and clients to embrace their passions and innovate together.
Alesia Visconti joins us on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. She talks about the ‘more’. Why money should never be our sole motivator. There must be more and for Alesia it is to advocate, edify, and empower others.
Raised by an abusive and alcoholic mother, Alesia made a conscious decision that her life would be different. She would not ‘buy into’ or believe the horrible words her mother flung at her. Instead, she would live a life proving her wrong.
Alesia’s conviction has led to hundreds of individuals joining the ranks of business ownership. Don’t let the tough New Jersey exterior fool you. Alesia has a tender heart, especially for veterans and women. In fact, even as you read this she is penning her book: The Pink Tsunami: Women’s Rise in Franchising due out later this year. Listen to the full episode here.
Meet Alesia Visconti
Alesia has 10 years with FranServe Inc, and started as a franchise consultant with them. With more than 20 as a President & CEO, driving organizational development and taking companies to the next level, she and her Team grew FranServe to what it is now: the largest franchise consulting company in the world! Earlier this year, Inc. Magazine named FranServe recognized FranServe one of the Fastest Growing Companies in America.
Highly active in the International Franchise Association (IFA), Alesia is on more than 6 boards and committees, and travels to Washington DC every year to speak with legislators on the laws impacting franchising and small business ownership. An author, professional speaker, owner of a leading franchise magazine, and true entrepreneur, her motto in life is “Work hard, play hard, help others, repeat.” She is currently writing her first book in franchising, “The Pink Tsunami: Women’s Rise In Franchising.”
Angela Olea is a true pioneer in the elder care space having founded Assisted Living Locators more than 20 years ago. Her daughter Angelica was often in tow as she worked with elders and their families. As the franchise system grew the franchisees became part of Angelica’s family. Angela suggests franchising is in Angelica’s DNA.
Angelica jokingly told us that when she was younger Assisted Living Locators was the sibling she never wanted. It was that younger brother or sister who can be annoying and distracting but you love them. She found her mom’s work as a nurse and entrepreneur fascinating and filled with purpose.
Today, mother and daughter work closely together. Angelica as VP of Operations and Angela as Brand President of Assisted Living Locators. In this interview, you’ll see chemistry, clear boundaries, mutual respect, and love. Each brings their unique, yet complementary talents and perspective to Assisted Living Locators. Listen to the full episode of The Franchise Woman podcast here.
Meet Angela Olea
Angela Olea, a trailblazing business leader and fervent advocate for senior care, has made remarkable strides in the industry. With an extensive background as a registered nurse, Angela has earned her reputation as a respected authority on senior housing and care options, frequently sharing her insights at state and national conferences on aging. As the visionary founder of the nation’s premier senior placement and referral franchise, she established Assisted Living Locators in response to a pressing need for community support and a solution to prevent unnecessary hospital readmissions for seniors.
Under Angela’s stewardship as CEO, Assisted Living Locators has burgeoned into one of the largest senior placement and referral services in the nation. Through a vast network of over 140 franchisees across 36 states and the District of Columbia, the company provides invaluable, cost-free assistance to seniors and their families in finding top-rated in-home care, independent retirement options, assisted living communities, and memory care. Notably, Assisted Living Locators is the first and only senior placement franchise with system-wide dementia care certification.
As a top-performing franchise organization, Assisted Living Locators has received accolades in Entrepreneur’s 2021 Franchise 500® issue and ranked on the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. Now part of the Evive Brands family and backed by The Riverside Company, Angela continues to actively shape the company’s future as Brand President.
Angela Olea’s impressive achievements and dedication to her community have earned her recognition as one of Arizona’s most influential businesswomen. As a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) from the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Institute of Certified Franchise Executives, Angela leverages her expertise to bolster her franchise system and guide franchisees in growing their businesses. The program is widely respected within the franchising community, fostering opportunities for education, networking, and best practice sharing.
Angela has also been instrumental in creating the National Placement and Referral Alliance (NPRA), a unified resource and advocate organization for the senior care industry. As a founding member of the Board of Directors, she actively collaborates with other professional placement and referral businesses to strengthen this strategic industry alliance.
A passionate senior care advocate, industry pioneer, and dedicated leader, Angela Olea is resolute in her mission to treat the elderly with the dignity they deserve, while providing others with opportunities to join one of today’s fastest-growing industries.
Meet Angelica Olea
Angelica Olea is a dynamic leader in the franchising world, holding dual roles as the Senior Vice President of Growth and Development at Assisted Living Locators and co-owner of Grasons of Gilbert franchise.
With over a decade of experience at Assisted Living Locators, a nationally acclaimed senior care placement and referral agency, Angelica has been instrumental in guiding franchisees across the nation in their mission to help seniors find ideal living solutions. In her executive role, she manages all aspects of strategic partnerships, business growth, development, training, coaching, and operations. Angelica plays a crucial part in high-level organizational decisions and daily operations, adeptly solving internal issues and maintaining the company’s operating philosophies and policies.
Known for her ability to ‘connect the dots’ in franchise services and development, Angelica has a proven track record of delivering high-quality service in a fast-paced environment. Her dedication to streamlining operational functions and improving company processes has contributed to Assisted Living Locators’ top rankings in Entrepreneur’s “Franchise500®” and Franchise Business Review’s “Top Franchises Report.”
Recently, Angelica expanded her entrepreneurial portfolio by launching Grasons of Gilbert, an estate sale franchise, alongside partner Derrik Roberts. This venture, part of the Evive Brands family, showcases her ability to apply her franchising expertise across different sectors and demonstrates the synergy between brands within the same family.
Angelica’s educational background includes studies at Arizona State University’s W.P. Carey School of Business, where she honed her business communication skills that continue to benefit her professional endeavors.
Ali McElroy is a recognized franchise industry leader with demonstrated success over nearly two decades in franchise and international businesses that span more than two dozen brands, over thirty countries, and thousands of franchised units.
Ali is the founder and CEO of Kaleidoscope Growth Advisors LLC, a woman-owned, full-service franchise advisory firm. Ali leads the company’s franchise incubation program, an innovative new model offering a hands-on partnership that provides know-how, connections, and capital to aspiring franchisors. Kaleidoscope also offers strategic advisory and specialty project services focusing on high-potential multi-unit, franchise and growing businesses.
Before founding Kaleidoscope Growth, Ali held executive leadership roles at Lift Brands spanning development, operations, strategic relationships, human resources and legal beginning as the first general counsel of Snap Fitness USA and ultimately serving as President, International and Chief Legal Officer for global, multi-brand parent company Lift Brands. Ali started her career as a corporate transactions attorney with the law firm Faegre & Benson LLP (now Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP).
Ali has served on a number of industry boards and committees, spoken at numerous programs on franchising and international business, and written several publications on franchising. She was named one of 100 Influential Women in Franchising in 2020 by Global Franchise magazine. The Minneapolis-St. Paul Business Journal named Ali a “40 Under 40” honoree in 2018 and a “Rising Star” in 2015 in recognition of her professional accomplishments and community leadership.
Ali holds an MBA from Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, a JD from the University of Minnesota Law School and a BA from the University of Notre Dame. She currently serves on the board of directors of The Advocates of Human Rights, a Minnesota-based nonprofit organization dedicated to human rights and the rule of law. Ali is also a member of the International and Franchise Relations Committees of the International Franchise Association and is a Certified Franchise Executive.
Meet Casey Cooley, Director of Franchise Development of Real Estate at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice and President of Pivotal Growth Partners,, and Michael Keller, president and CEO of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice.
Casey is naturally geared to think in terms of effectiveness. His background working with emerging brands taught him the importance of a strong foundation. He believes well thought out systems and processes are literally what result-driven and sustainable franchises are built on.
Michael is geared towards the people side of the business. He believes clear values and a team aligned with and committed to those values provide the framework (building blocks) of a successful business. A team with shared values is more synergistic, productive, and professionally fulfilled.
Both Michael and Casey are in essence architects, visionaries, and leaders. Listen in to their full interview on The Franchise Woman podcast.
Meet Casey Cooley
A native of McKinney, Texas, Casey Cooley launched his career in the franchise industry in 2012, when he joined the franchise development team at Sweet Frog Frozen Yogurt. Within three short years he moved from Franchise Sales to Director of Business Development. During that time, Casey helped launch Sweet Frog’s franchise program and grow the chain to 380 units in the U.S., Puerto Rico and Egypt.
He played an integral role in identifying and executing new lines of business including merchandising, catering, and mobile franchising options for the company. During his time there, Sweet Frog reached over $34.4 million in revenue, having grown by 10,372 percent between 2010 and 2013 and earning #22 on the 2014 Inc. 500 list and #20 on Entrepreneur’s Fastest Growing Franchise list in 2015.
After his success at Sweet Frog, Casey sought new challenges and moved into a different field. As General Manager of Sports Reality Performance Training, he helped launch a training center in Richmond, VA and managed all aspects of the business. In that role, he worked with athletes of all ages and skill levels, from elementary school to professional athletes and teams, including the Washington Redskins.
Later, he met PGP founders Cam Cummins and Bryon Stephens when he transitioned to Marco’s Pizza, where he held the role of Director of Franchise Development. Casey helped launch the brand into new emerging markets in the Midwest and West Coast. He handled franchise development and real estate for the regions and directed new franchisees through the development process, including site acquisition, training, architecture and engineering, construction, and grand opening procedures.
Now, Casey has rejoined Cam and Bryon to offer his expertise to Pivotal Growth Partners, assisting and enabling business owners to achieve their goals and aspirations through franchising and looks forward to sharing his vision and passion for the company’s culture-based growth perspective with businesses of all shapes and sizes.
Casey currently serves as the Director of Franchising and Real Estate at Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, and has served in that capacity since 2019. During that time Casey has led the development of the brand to over 100+ locations open, and another 150 locations under development.
Casey resides in Murrells Inlet, SC with his wife, Lauren, their son, Brooks, and their hound dog Harley. In his spare time he enjoys fitness and golfing.
Michael Keller currently serves as the CEO and President of Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, based in Orlando, Florida, a position he has held since May 2023. Prior to joining Jeremiah’s, Michael was the Business Development and Marketing Leader at Pinnacle Performance Group, a change implementation consulting firm in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before that, he spent seven years as CEO and President of Pearson Candy Company, a private equity-owned confections manufacturer in St. Paul, Minnesota. Michael’s extensive marketing career also includes a decade as Chief Marketing Officer at American Dairy Queen, and leadership roles at Jamba Juice, Baskin Robbins USA, and Homestore.com.
Residing in Minneapolis with his wife Gina and their two rescue dogs, Michael is a proud father of three children, aged 24, 22, and 20. He is a graduate of Dartmouth College (Class of 1987) and the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth (Class of 1991). Michael is also an accomplished author, having penned the award-winning children’s book The Legend of Jet the Gerbil. His dedication to community service is evident through his extensive non-profit work, including serving as Governing Board Chair for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. He is currently a board member of the YWCA of Minneapolis.
Erin Fletter was raised by a free-spirited mother who instilled in her an insatiable curiosity about the world, food, people, and culture. They traveled the world together staying for extended periods of time to truly immerse within that culture. Naturally, food was a large part of enjoying festivals, holidays, and other culturally diverse get-togethers.
Today Erin Fletter, founder of Sticky Fingers Cooking® and five-time cookbook author, has brought these same worldwide experiences to over 150,000 students. Sticky Fingers Cooking® classes combine fresh ingredients, global flavors, math, geography, nutrition, food history—and a big dash of tasty fun! Listen in to this week’s episode of The Franchise Woman podcast here.
Meet Erin Fletter
Erin Fletter is a serial entrepreneur and five-time cookbook author with a 30-year food and hospitality industry history. She founded Sticky Fingers Cooking®, a franchise brand that spans coast to coast, teaching over 150,000 students. Sticky Fingers Cooking® classes combine fresh ingredients, global flavors, math, geography, nutrition, food history—and a big dash of tasty fun!
Living in Colorado with her husband and three daughters, Erin also co-owns the world-renowned Barolo Grill in Denver. Known for her terrible food jokes, Erin’s passion for food brings people together, one groan-inducing pun at a time. Speaking of which… What vegetable should you never bring on a boat? A leek.
