Tag: featured

Tamara Galinsky, the visionary behind JETSET Pilates, a revolutionary Reformer Pilates experience based in Miami, joins us today on The Franchise Woman Podcast.

Tamara left the former Soviet Union at age 15 and moved to New York with her family. She talks about the cultural differences, the importance of adaptability, and the courage and strength of her family. Her parents were successful engineers in the Soviet Union but had to take any job they could get and accept state assistance once the family moved to the United States.

An embarrassing experience in high school proved a pivotal moment where Tamara decided poverty was not for her. She wanted to be successful and set a plan into motion to do just that. Tamara went on to go to a prestigious college and build a franchise concept from the ground up. Learn more about Tamara’s life and JETSET Pilates.

Meet Tamara Galinsky

Tamara Galinsky, Founder and Brand President of JETSET Pilates, leads the charge in revolutionizing the fitness franchise industry. With a degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Tamara’s journey began with a quest for a dynamic Pilates studio after relocating from London to Miami in 2009. Motivated by a desire to blend fitness with a vibrant lifestyle, she envisioned JETSET Pilates as a haven for herself and her peers, offering curated music and cutting-edge Reformer Pilates sessions. Her passion for Pilates deepened after embracing it as a postpartum fitness solution, solidifying her commitment to integrating it into her daily routine. In 2010, Tamara laid the foundation for JETSET Pilates, which has since burgeoned into a sought-after franchise, captivating fitness enthusiasts across diverse markets. JETSET Pilates has rapidly established itself as one of the most attractive concepts in the boutique franchise business space, with 50+ studios in development across the U.S. and Australia.

Learn more about Tamara Galinsky

Learn more about JETSET Pilates

From Princeton Graduate to BEERpreneur.

Roman Maliszewski’s story is much more than just opening a bar. It’s a leap from Princeton grad to advertising exec to world traveler to BEERpreneur. His unique journey, combined with his industry knowledge, has positioned Tapster at the forefront of a self-serve transformation within the bar industry!

Roman Maliszewski, founder of Tapster joins us on The Franchise Woman podcast. Listen in to hear his story and catch his contagious enthusiasm.

Meet Roman Maliszewski

Roman Maliszewski is the founder and visionary behind Tapster, the revolutionary self-pour tasting room concept quickly growing across the United States.

A native of the Chicagoland area, Roman attended Princeton University before starting his career in San Francisco in the advertising industry. Following 13 years in the ad business, Roman embarked on a yearlong traveling adventure that took him across 4 continents and helped spawn the idea for his future business.

In his quest to create the ultimate tasting room experience, Roman worked at PourMyBeer, the largest self-pour technology company in the world, to learn first-hand how self-pour operates. After years of preparation, the first Tapster location opened in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago in 2017.

Tapster now has locations in Chicago, Philadelphia, Seattle, and Bellevue Washington, with the first franchise location in Cleveland and the second franchise coming to Lexington, Kentucky soon. With a passion for the environment, empowerment, and education, Roman hopes to bring Tapster to a city near you.  

Learn more about Roman Maliszewski

Learn more about Tapster

https://youtu.be/eWNFpt_0c3o

Alicia Miller, author of Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity, joins us for the 2nd part of her interview on The Franchise Woman podcast.

Check out this conversation between a franchise attorney, a behavioral scientist with expertise in franchisee performance, and a private equity advisor.

As expected it can go deep strategically as well as psychologically. Alicia talks about keeping the end in mind early on as a concept originator/franchisor. And how to position the company for private equity and prepare mentally for each transition. She addresses the changes and challenges a franchise concept and its franchisees will experience in systems, culture and initiatives.

Join Alicia Miller, Rebecca Monet, CEO & Chief Scientist at Zorakle Profiles, and Bruce McFarlane, franchise attorney, franchisee and investor in this lively and insightful conversation.

Meet Alicia Miller

Alicia Miller is the author of Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity, and is the founder and managing director of Emergent Growth Advisors. Emergent is a boutique strategic advisory firm with deep expertise in franchising and private capital, and a particular focus on helping emerging brands grow smart from the beginning so they can reach their greatest potential. Alicia is an investor in both brands and multi-unit franchise operators. She is also a member of the board of governors for the International Franchise Association’s Certified Franchise Executive education program; has authored numerous articles on franchising and private equity for Franchise Times, Entrepreneur, and Forbes; and has been a multi-unit franchisee. 

Learn more about Alicia Miller

Learn more about Emergent Growth Advisors

Welcome to The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, profits are made and relationships forged. I’m Rebecca Monet, CEO and Chief Scientist at Zorakle Profiles. Zorakle provides profiling tools to franchisors and franchise brokers to facilitate a right-fit between a prospective franchisee and a franchise concept.

Our special guests today are the dynamic girl duo behind Jane DO. Former Radio City Rockettes Jacey Lambros and Danielle DeAngelo.

Jane DO, a rapidly growing fitness franchise, is not only helping its clients, it’s also giving women a leg up in the fitness industry by providing them with career opportunities as franchise owners and instructors.

Founded with a mission to cultivate strength, confidence, and camaraderie, Jane DO has transcended the traditional boundaries of a workout studio to become a movement that champions women’s wellness in every aspect, from every client that walks through the door, to every owner, operator, and trainer.

Meet Jacey Lambros

Jacey Lambros is a celebrity trainer and fitness expert responsible for crafting the ever-evolving methodology at Jane DO. A NASM certified personal trainer and fitness nutrition specialist, Jacey also holds a Pilates certification from the esteemed Kane School of Core Integration. Other qualifications have included group fitness, TRX suspension, and barre-based fitness techniques. Her passion for fitness is matched only by her passion for dance. As a nine year veteran of the Radio City Rockettes, she discovered the power of female collaboration and first met her new business partner, Danielle DeAngelo. Jacey has been featured on Dancing with the Stars, in Disney’s feature film, Enchanted, The NBA All-Star dance team and in commercials including Apple & Macy’s.

Learn more about Jacey Lambros

Meet Danielle DeAngelo

Danielle DeAngelo is a professional dancer turned real estate mogul and is responsible for the business behind Jane DO. With a BS in Business Management, she handles all brand operations, inclusive of all real state, financial, and legal aspects. Outside the studio, she is the founder of DeAngelo Management and oversees various investment properties across the US. Danielle’s passion for fitness started at a young age when she was a competitive dancer. As a New Jersey native her dreams came true when she became a professional dancer with the Radio City Rockettes, where she proudly performed for seven years and met her now business partner, Jacey Lambros. Danielle has been featured on Good Morning America, the TODAY Show, and in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Learn more about Danielle DeAngelo

Learn more about Jane DO

Meet Alicia Miller

Alicia Miller is the author of Big Money in Franchising: Scaling Your Enterprise in the Era of Private Equity, and is the founder and managing director of Emergent Growth Advisors. Emergent is a boutique strategic advisory firm with deep expertise in franchising and private capital, and a particular focus on helping emerging brands grow smart from the beginning so they can reach their greatest potential. Alicia is an investor in both brands and multi-unit franchise operators. She is also a member of the board of governors for the International Franchise Association’s Certified Franchise Executive education program; has authored numerous articles on franchising and private equity for Franchise Times, Entrepreneur, and Forbes; and has been a multi-unit franchisee. 

Learn more about Alicia Miller

Learn more about Emergent Growth Advisors

Meet Paul Linenberg

Paul Linenberg is the president of Gotcha Covered, a custom window treatment franchise that has over 160 franchises in the United States and Canada combined. The company specializes in providing end-to-end consultation to its clients.

Learn more about Paul Linenberg

Learn more about Gotcha Covered

Did you raise your hand?

Tracy Panase held the distinction of being the top performing franchisee within the Just Between Friends (JBF) system successfully owning and operating four territories in southeastern Pennsylvania.

One day while on vacation a system-wide meeting was called to discuss some major changes at JBF corporate. She joined the call. In the meeting, new roles and new leaders were assigned by JBF founder Shannon Wilburn. Tracy’s name was not announced. She was stumped. How was that possible? Had she not been considered?

When Tracy discussed it with her husband John, he asked: Did you raise your hand? That was the turning point that led Tracy to reach out to Shannon to discuss the possible acquisition of Just Between Friends. Today Tracy is CEO and owner of Just Between Friends. She is dedicated to taking the JBF legacy and making Just Between Friends a household name. Listen to the full story on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.

Meet Tracy Panase

Tracy Panase is a highly knowledgeable and experienced team and business builder. With an impressive 25-year background as a franchisee for two national brands, she stepped into the role of CEO and owner of the Just Between Friends Franchise System in December 2022. Prior to her current position, Tracy held the distinction of being the top-performing franchisee within the Just Between Friends (JBF) franchise, successfully owning and operating four territories in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Tracy’s primary objective is to help her franchisees establish JBF as a household name—a challenging endeavor that requires a unique blend of vision and marketing acumen. She is known for her innovative ideas and branding expertise, setting her apart as an industry leader.

Keeping it all in the family, Tracy’s husband John now runs two of JBF’s top franchise locations. They have two adult children who grew up with Just Between Friends and can attest to the profound impact of the brand’s mission: empowering families to say “YES” through children’s resale events. Tracy’s rallying cry, “Let’s GO!” reflects her contagious enthusiasm as she leads the charge to make Just Between Friends a household name in communities across the nation.

Learn more about Tracy Panase

Learn more about Just Between Friends

Meet FranBubbie (Franchise Grandmother)

Lori Shaffron, Senior Director of Franchise Sales of Rita’s Italian Ice, has been in the world of franchising since 1989.. Lori loves franchising, networking, mentoring, and volunteering. And it shows. Everyone knows the FranBubbie of Franchising. A term of endearment Brad Fishman, of Fishman PR coined. It became official when Edith Wiseman, of FranData gifted Lori with her very own FranBubbie t-shirt.

Like many Bubbies, Lori is strong-willed, unabashedly opinionated, and tender-hearted. If ever there was someone who could wear all the hats within a franchise organization it is Lori. From marketing to operations, to finance, to training and beyond, Lori has done it all. But her true bailiwick is franchise development.

Listen to the adventures of Lori Shaffron on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.

Meet Lori Shaffron

Lori Shaffron has spent over 40 years in the franchise industry. Today Lori serves as the Senior Director of Franchise Sales for Rita’s Franchise Company; January 2004 to March 2018 she was Vice President of Sarah Adult Day Services in Canton, Ohio; April 2002 to December 2003 she was Vice President of Development for Kiddie Academy and from December 1989 to December 2003 she served as Senior Vice President of Rent-A-Wreck Car Rental. Lori was a franchisee with Ugly Duckling Rentals. Ms. Shaffron has been involved with the IFA since 1989. She has spoken on many panels and is also involved with the Women in Franchising Committee. Lori has sat on the Membership Committee for many years and currently serves as the secretary of the committee. Franchising is in Lori’s blood.

Learn more about Lori Shaffron

Learn more about Rita’s Italian Ice

Amy Patel Popat shares her family’s origin story and her journey from certified optometrist to Right at Home franchisee in Solent & Southampton, UK

Amy’s father is from Africa. His family moved to Africa from India when the British Empire colonized Africa. During this time the British Empire moved a bunch of Indians to Africa to build the railways. Afterwards many would stay. However, in early August 1972, the dictator President of Uganda Idi Amin ordered the expulsion of his country’s Indian minority, giving them 90 days to leave the country. The British would then bring the Indians, including her father’s family, to the United Kingdom where they then lived in a refugee camp for a couple of months. Their adaptability, work ethic, and family values allowed them to endure and provide the next generation with a solid foundation.

Listen to the full interview to hear about the blending of cultures, lessons learned, and the second-generation immigrant mindset that has catapulted Amy’s success.

Meet Amy Patel Popat

Amy is a qualified Optometrist but moved into Franchising after not being fulfilled at work. She started the American-born Franchise, Right at Home Solent & Southampton, alongside her husband Kev Popat, who was formerly an accountant. Over the past 8.5 years, they have grown their franchise to over 120 Team members and have supported Hundreds to remain safe at home. They have received TWO Outstanding Ratings from the UK Regulatory Body, Care Quality Commission. In 2023 she won the Franchisee Women of the Year at the EWIF awards in London, and together they won the Franchisee of the Year 2019 from the British Franchise Association. She has a passion for leadership, empowering women, and promoting a Diverse and Inclusive workforce.

Learn more about Amy Patel Popat

Learn more about Right at Home

Was it luck?

Some call it luck, coincidence, fate, or God’s hand. In hindsight, Dana Besbris believes meeting and working with Allen Fishman was meant to be. Allen Fishman, a Wall Street Journal and Amazon.com bestselling author, is Founder and Executive Chairman of The Alternative Board (TAB®).

TAB addresses the need for peer advice from fellow business owners and coaching from experienced professionals. Under Allen’s mentorship, Dana went from executive assistant to executive.  He saw in her something she had not yet recognized. He gave her a seat at the table and challenged her so she might grow personally and professionally.

In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast Dana Besbris, Training and Coaching Specialist, tells her story and introduces us to ZorCoach™, powered by The Entrepreneur’s Source®.

Listen in to the full episode.

Meet Dana Bestbris

Dana Besbris, Training and Coaching Specialist, is excited to be introducing ZorCoach™, powered by The Entrepreneur’s Source®. ZorCoach’s vision is to help emerging franchise brands to unlock their growth potential, forge meaningful connections, and revolutionize how the world perceives franchising.

Dana brings over 16 years of franchise industry experience in training and international operations. Dana’s unique career path took her from Executive Assistant to Executive. This perspective informed her leadership philosophy, understanding that everyone has the ability to lead when allowed to do so in their own style.

When out of the office, Dana enjoys being active outdoors, whether that be on her bike, walking through the neighborhood, or playing pickleball.

Learn more about Dana Besbris

Learn more about The Entrepreneur’s Source