Tag: featured

Leadership Evolution.

Robin Gagnon, co-founder of We Sell Restaurants franchise, and the chair of IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee thinks it’s time to rethink leadership. In fact, this year’s theme for the WFC is: Leadership Evolution. Robin believes leadership requires agility and humility and is becoming increasingly more focused on engagement, collaboration and empowerment.

Just a few decades back, autocratic leadership was considered normal. Remote working was an abstract idea and managers took important decisions with little to no input from their employees. The focus was on getting tasks done, efficiently under any situation.

The rise of remote working options is shaping leadership and micromanagement is almost impossible in remote settings, thus trust in employees has become increasingly more important.

Listen in to her thoughts on this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Meet Robin Gagnon

Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants and wesellrestaurants.com, the nation’s largest restaurant brokerage firm and the only national franchise specializing in restaurant sales. One of the most prolific restaurant brokers in the industry and a franchise resale specialist, she holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the International Business Brokers Association or IBBA and is an MBA. She has also achieved the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association.

She has been recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the most influential suppliers and vendors in the country for 2022. Her articles appear in QSR Magazine, Forbes and other industry publications. She is a regular media resource for all matters related to the restaurant industry. She was ranked one of the top 50 most influential people in franchising in 2022 while Entrepreneur Magazine Named her to the list of “Most Influential Women in Franchising.”

She is the Chair of the Women’s Franchise Committee of the International Franchise Association and an Executive Member of the Women’s Franchise Network – Atlanta Chapter.

A writer and speaker that has addressed many groups nationwide. Her expert articles appear in QSR Magazine, Forbes, Modern Restaurant News and more. She is the author of Appetite for Acquisition, an award-winning book on buying restaurants.

Robin holds an undergraduate degree and an MBA from Appalachian State University where she graduated first in her class and was named “Outstanding MBA.” She is an emeritus member of the ASU Business Advisory Council. She has been named a National Industry Expert by Business Brokerage Press in Franchise Resales.

Robin is a licensed real estate salesperson in both Georgia and Florida.  She has been named a National Industry Expert by Business Brokerage Press in Franchise Resales.  Prior to launching We Sell Restaurants, Robin served as Vice President of Strategic Marketing for the Macy’s Division of Federated Department Stores.  Prior to that, she was Director of Advertising and Director of Business Development for another Fortune 100 company. Robin oversees the development and training of Restaurant Brokers nationwide and has created the industry’s only Certified Restaurant Broker coursework and testing program.

Learn more about Robin Gagnon

Learn more about We Sell Restaurants

Let’s talk about what happens at the intersection of passion and profit. And there is no one better to address this topic than Barbara Nuss, CPA and founder of Profit Soup, a financial learning and development company focused on franchising.

Barb is a passionate advocate of small business and franchise models. She believes financial information is NOT just for financial people.  All business people achieve more when they are comfortable using KPIs and financial statements to support their business decisions.

Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast, as Barb discusses the importance of a breakeven analysis and financial literacy. And how mastering both leads to franchisee’s experiencing greater profits, passion and purpose.

Meet Barbara Nuss  

Barbara Nuss is founder of Profit Soup, a financial learning and development company. She combines the management and teaching skills of a seasoned business advisor with the technical knowledge of a CPA. She leverages her passion for collaboration and creativity to develop customized financial curriculum for franchise organizations, including state-of-the art, interactive online training. Her acclaimed Profit Soup Online, launched in 2016, is one of the leading financial training resources in the franchise industry.   

Barb is a frequent conference speaker, delivering financial topics in a non-threatening, no-nonsense, naturally approachable style. She has developed benchmarks and KPI dashboards for numerous franchises, corporations, buying groups, and trade associations as part of her practical approach to developing financial learning experiences that are relevant and immediately actionable. By aligning training with sensible KPI and financial reporting, franchisors and franchisees gain traction with their new-found financial skills.   

Barb is a passionate advocate of small business and franchise models. She believes financial information is NOT just for financial people.  All business people achieve more when they are comfortable using KPIs and financial statements to support their business decisions. 

Learn more about Barbara Nuss  

Learn more about Profit Soup 

Kim Gubera is one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry, but she has successfully led PIRTEK USA to the third fastest-growing franchise based on unit percentage.

Kim has worked with two family-owned franchise companies. She was with U.S. Lawns for 16 years and PIRTEK USA now for over 6 years. In this interview she talks about the many perks and benefits of a family-owned franchise system including the ability to make quick decisions allowing a franchisor to be agile and competitive in the marketplace. Further benefits according to Kim is the commitment of family-owned franchises to high quality, high equity and strong relationship all which pay off in the dividends of the satisfaction and longevity of employees and franchisees and overall profitability.

Kim Gubera, President and CEO of PIRTEK USA, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide. Listen to the complete episode here.

Meet Kim Gubera

It’s no secret that the last two years have been turbulent for businesses everywhere, and with inflation, supply chain issues and more uncertainty than ever, 2022 has been tricky. As businesses everywhere continue to face multiple roadblocks and an expected recession next year, let me connect you with Kim Gubera, CEO of PIRTEK USA, a national B2B onsite and retail hydraulic hose replacement franchise business and essential service proven to be resistant to pandemic closures, competition with Amazon and decreasing disposable income due to inflation to get her take on expected 2023 business performance and new industry trends/insights.

PIRTEK USA: Keeping other essential businesses running. This recession-proof business offers 24/7/365 on-site emergency replacements, hydraulic and industrial hose repair, keeps machinery working and project sites in operation. When the pandemic hit, PIRTEK USA’s services were quickly declared as essential. Tight budgets required manufacturing companies to refrain from big purchases, so they were forced to make part replacements. In response, PIRTEK increased their outreach to clients to offer their services and help keep businesses running. They upgraded their technology, increased support to franchisees, supplied on-site and curb-side-pickups, and even went as far as moving staff and customer interaction under tents outside their brick-and-mortar stores. Despite COVID, PIRTEK USA surpassed their goals for 2021 by opening 8 new franchises. They’ve also had strong growth in 2022 with multiple openings, new franchisee signings and resales.

Kim Gubera is one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry, but she has successfully led PIRTEK USA to the third fastest-growing franchise based on unit percentage. Gubera’s leadership is linked to her personal perseverance. She grew up in a low-income, single-parent household. It took her 9 years to finish her education while taking care of her child. Starting in finance, she didn’t expect to find herself in a franchising role – yet now she harnesses her strength and work ethic as the CEO of a hydraulic hose franchise.

Learn more about Kim Gubera

Learn more about PIRTEK USA

Lauren Kruse’s husband was a car enthusiast and fell in love with the Tint World Franchise.  He opened the Kennesaw, GA location in July 2021 and unexpectedly passed away in September 2021, leaving Lauren with a big decision. Should she close the store she drove by every day or attempt to take on the role of a franchisee herself? At the time Lauren was a busy realtor and mother of 2 with another baby on the way.

She didn’t fully understand her husband’s passion for cars, nor did she comprehend the relationship many have with their cars and the demand for aftermarket car styling. Ultimately, it was her faith in God that got her through the trauma of losing her husband and make a huge career change from realtor to franchisee.

Listen in to Lauren’s heart-warming and inspiring story here on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide.

Meet Lauren Kruse  

Lauren Kruse is the Owner of a Tint World franchise in Kennesaw, Georgia as well as a licensed Realtor helping clients buy and sell residential real estate. Lauren has held a passion for the real estate world for six years, consistently achieving a Top Producer award in her marketplace. She loves building lasting relationships with her clients.   

Over the last year, Lauren has taken on the automotive industry as a new owner of a Tint World franchise. Lauren’s beloved late husband, Michael, was a huge car enthusiast. His dream was to own a shop that specialized in fun and exciting after-market services to vehicles such as window tint, ceramic coating, car audio, and paint protection film. He found this through the Tint World franchise.   

Together, they opened their shop in July of 2021. Three months later, Michael unexpectedly passed away. Lauren kept their business as a way to honor her husband’s legacy and keep his love for cars carrying on. She has quickly grown a deep appreciation and passion for the industry her husband so loved, and continues to learn the ins and outs of small business ownership.   

Lauren is the mother of three young children. She loves spending time with her kids, taking runs, attending her local church and just finding joy in the day-to-day chaos of life.   

Learn more about Tint World Automotive 

Dr. Lauran Star talks diversity, equity and inclusion and how they differ. In brief:

• Diversity are the things that make us unique and creates an affinity i.e.: hair color, age, gender, etc.
• Equity is all about employees getting what they need to be successful at their role i.e.: a struggling manager being provided training to be a better manager.
• Inclusion is creating a culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

We are 98% similar as a human race. Thus, Dr. Star says the only real diversity is diversity of thought and to encourage diversity of thought a company needs to focus on an inclusive culture. Bottom line, when you remove inclusion all you have left is diversity.

You must listen to this interview and the passion for which Dr. Lauran Star talks about the research and importance of Inclusion!

Meet Dr. Lauran Star  

Dr. Lauran Star is known for transforming leadership and organizational culture, by pushing the edge of the status quo to achieve greater employee engagement, culture, inclusion, and diversity. Being the first Inclusion & Diversity Psychologist in the United States, Dr. Star’s focus is Evidence Based Inclusion, Diversity & Equality (ID&E).   

As a Senior HR leader with 20+ years of success driving high performing organizational cultures and employees, Dr. Star is raising the ID&E bar while driving measurable change within organizations through data-driven strategies. Known for uncovering blind spots to achieve optimal performance and enhanced retention, she dives in where others tread lightly yet is insightful, warm, and approachable.   

Her own affinities go beyond being a woman, as she is veteran of the United States Armed Forces, serving in Desert Storm, has a learning disability and was raised in a multicultural family. Prior to her corporate life she performed on and off Broadway.   

Dr. Star holds a Ph.D. in Industrial Organizational Psychology specializing in Inclusion, Diversity & Equity. A bestselling author and well-known media expert, her thought leadership touches many.  She is a distinguished researcher and practitioner in the field of inclusion, diversity & equality.   

Learn more about Dr. Lauran Star 

Meet Mary Anna Lewis

A South Carolina native and University of South Carolina graduate, Mary Anna started her career with a business consulting firm in Charleston, SC followed by several years as a medical sales representative for Matria Healthcare, Inc. A local, small business owner at heart, she spent over 25 years working as an independent business coach, primarily with privately-held business owners based in the Southeast.

Mary Anna has owned Mosquito Squad of the Lowcountry in Charleston, SC since 2011 and has been a Business Advisor with the parent company, Authority Brands, since 2021.  In this position she serves 18-20 franchise owners in a support role to partner with each location in their success. Business Advisors act as a liaison between the corporate office and the owners to coach, set goals, develop action plans, encourage, strategize and problem-solve. In her time with Mosquito Squad, her location has been awarded Rookie of the Year Award, Top Sales Award and she has been a member of the Franchise Advisor Council.

As a devotee of the franchise model, she also owns a second franchise, Lowcountry Textile Recycling dba The Clothes Bin that she bought in 2018, where she also serves on their Franchise Advisor Council.

“I love serving others and giving back” says Mary Anna.  “My work as a Mosquito Squad Business Advisor allows me to serve some amazing owners in a support role and my Clothes Bin business allows me to give back from a recycling effort as well as philanthropically as a fundraiser to dozens and dozens of schools and churches.”

Mary Anna has served as the President of The Charleston Breakfast Rotary Club, as the Philanthropy Chair for The Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce for 7 years, as a member of several boards including Oceanside Collegiate Academy, Life Resources, Wando Athletic Booster Club and various volunteer leadership positions at her church.

A lifelong Lowcountry resident, Mary Anna lives in Mount Pleasant with her husband, David, has two adult sons in college, loves yoga, is an avid pickleball player and has three dogs at home that are always ready for a walk!

Learn more about Mary Anna Lewis

Learn more about Mosquito Squad

Learn more about The Clothes Bin

Shana talks about how her love of Sociology and Communication has come together in her role as Chief Marketing Officer at Goldfish Swim School including how she builds team and together they execute on projects and goals. Without giving it away, part of the recipe for her success as a team builder includes Heart and Connection.  

Listen in to Shana Krisan, as she joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Meet Shana Krisan 

Shana Krisan is a Certified Franchise Executive and has worked in the franchise space for the bulk of her career. Her knack for building impactful, efficient teams has continuously propelled the companies she works with forward.  

Serving as the Chief Marketing officer for Goldfish Swim School Franchising, Shana has developed a comprehensive marketing plan and internal team. She is a strong believer in a holistic approach to marketing and has accomplished an incredible amount during her time with the brand – masterminding the marketing of The Science of SwimPlay®, Bubbles the mascot, creating Digital Playbooks for franchisees, and building Goldfish Swim School’s internal creative agency, which has a core focus of defining and protecting the brand on all marketing levels. Not only have her efforts increased the brand presence and franchisee support, Shana has been instrumental in setting the business foundation for future growth.   

Shana has recently been recognized as the 2019 Bronze Stevie Award Winner for Woman of the Year in Marketing & Advertising, as well as Franchise Update Media for Best Digital, PR and Hiring Campaigns, and receiving their highest honor in 2020 for Marketing Leadership. Shana also plays an active role on the IFA Marketing and Innovation Committee. 

Learn more about Shana Krisan 

Learn more about Goldfish Swim School 

Carey Gille, CEO and Co-founder of Franchise FastLane defines vision as ‘a clear and compelling picture of a preferred future’. To us it seemed a precise mathematical 1 + 1 equation to a successful future. One must have both: a clear mental picture of what we want along with the values, passion and emotion that causes one to be compelled to bring that picture into existence. Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide as serial entrepreneur Carey Gille shares insights into her thinking and building process and offers some advice to other leaders in the franchise space. Meet Carey Gille Carey is a serial entrepreneur having co-founded four different start-ups throughout her career. She also brings extensive franchise experience having franchised with three different concepts on the “zee” side while also leading franchise development for multiple brands on the “zor” side. She co-founded ItsDeductible, which was later acquired by Intuit and is still utilized by TurboTax users today. She then traveled the country as primary spokesperson for ItsDeductible/Intuit and was a featured guest on CNN Headline News, MSNBC, US News and World Report, Wall Street Journal and more. Carey also co-founded Sojern, which is currently the world’s largest boarding pass and travel data advertiser. Ryan and Carey worked together to award over 240 Complete Nutrition locations in less than 18 months gaining the recognition of Entrepreneur Magazine as “Number Two Top New Franchise.” Shortly thereafter, they partnered to found Franchise FastLane. FastLane is a boutique Franchise Sales organization with a mission to “drive extraordinary growth for the chosen few.” FastLane partners with the nation’s best brands to lead their franchise development, accelerate their growth nationwide and inspire business ownership through franchising. FastLane is now the #1 FSO in the country with over 40 employees representing approximately 20 brands, generating over $160M in franchise fees while awarding over 4,200 territories nationwide. FastLane has been ranked by Entrepreneur Magazine as a top five franchise consulting company for four consecutive years and also earned the Inc 5000 ranking of #182 overall and #2 in the state of Nebraska. Carey is married and keeps up with three active boys. She loves to read, write, run & inspire life change through franchising! Learn more about Carey Gille Learn more about Franchise FastLane

Emmanuelle Hardy has been in the franchise industry for over 20 years and held many roles over the years including being a multi-unit franchise owner and working on the franchisor side.  

Originally from France, Emmanuelle came to the US as a student. After a few years in the work force and being let go from a High-Tech company she decided to venture into business ownership. Emmanuelle initially started in finance as a Financial Advisor, when she came across Curves, 30- minute Fitness for Women in 2003, at the time a 10-year franchise system with exponential growth. She decided to take a chance and moved back to France with her family to start it there. In September 2004, she opened the first Curves in France with one of her sisters, reaching 600 members in 12 months.

Enjoying great success, she subsequently owned 4 franchise locations with her family, and she became the Operation Director for the country, helping build the network to 150 clubs, the largest fitness network in the country at the time, and as importantly helping more than 50,000 women get healthier!

Back in the US in 2010 and through 2015, Emmanuelle co- founded and developed a franchise concept in the beauty industry, BodyBrite, a concept originally from Spain. She owned one franchise location in Minneapolis, MN and helped grow the network to 28 locations.

Emmanuelle sold this business in 2016, and looked for a franchise network with a great reputation, solid business concepts, amazing support and values. She eventually found Neighborly Brands. Emmanuelle has been with Neighborly since 2017, currently serving as the Vice-President of Franchise Development for Mr. Handyman and Glass Doctor.

Learn more about Emmanuelle Hardy

Learn more about Neighborly

Kay Miller talks personal branding and uncopiable sales skills on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide.  

When it comes to sales, Kay is all about long-term relationships over one-time transactional deals. It’s this type of thinking that earned Kay the nickname ‘Muffler Mama’ after she was named Sales Person of the Year by Walker Exhaust.   

Listen in to learn about your ideal ‘Moose’, how to think like Sherlock Holmes and outsell and set yourself apart from your competition.  

Bonus: Tracy Kawa and Rebecca Monet point out two people within the franchise space that do a great job with personal branding.  

Meet Kay Miller

Kay Miller is an expert on Uncopyable Sales. As the first woman ever hired for outside sales by Amerock, a division of Anchor Hocking, she built her formidable sales career by emphasizing long-term relationships over one-time deals. Kay was later hired by Walker Exhaust, a division of Tenneco, and the largest automotive muffler manufacturer in the world. While there, she was named Walker’s Salesperson of the Year, an accolade that earned her the nickname “Muffler Mama.”

Kay has been a top sales performer ever since, and now speaks and consults. She’s the author of the new book, Uncopyable Sales Secrets – How to Create an Unfair Advantage and Outsell Your Competition. The book has been called “The most fun sales book you’ve ever read,” and is packed with powerful strategies as well as specific actions you can start using immediately to make more sales.

Kay lives outside Seattle with her husband, Steve, and cat, Sam. Her favorite activities include skiing, hiking, and spending time with their adult daughter, Kelly.

Learn more about Kay Miller

Learn more about Uncopyable Sales Secrets