Tag: featured

In her early days in the medical field, Angela Olea worked for a nurse registry. In doing so she was exposed to many different hospitals, nursing homes and situations. Such vast experiences put her on the fast track for learning. It exposed her to environments where she questioned methodologies and outcomes. One of the biggest questions she had was why aging patients had unnecessary hospital readmissions often dealing with the same issues again and again.   

Angela is a true solution-oriented and strategic thinker. Her mind processes the why, what and how more quickly than most. When she sees a problem (often overlooked by others) she quickly begins to ask ‘why’, ‘what’ and ‘how’.   

Why does this problem exist?  

What effect is it having on the client, community or business?  

How can I be the change that solves this problem?   

Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast, as Angela shares how answering these 3 vital questions led to her pioneering new industry!  

Meet Angela Olea 

Angela Olea is a highly passionate, innovative and accomplished business leader in the senior care industry. She is a respected authority on senior housing and care options, serving as a guest speaker at state and national aging conferences. Angela is also a visionary, founding the nation’s first senior placement franchise business.   

A registered nurse, Angela initially launched Assisted Living Locators in response to seeing aging patients have unnecessary hospital readmissions and a lack of community support.  In an effort to evoke positive change and ease of care transition for patients, she created a National Readmissions Prevention Specialized Program for community care providers to reduce hospital readmissions.  

Today, as Chief Executive Officer of Assisted Living Locators, she has built the company into a nationally acclaimed premier placement and referral agency, matchmaking seniors with caring providers for over a decade.   

Under her stewardship, Assisted Living Locators is setting the standard for care transition and has received top rankings in Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500®. The company is also included in the prestigious Inc. 5000 list of the nation’s fastest-growing private companies. With 140 franchise office locations in 36 states and the District of Columbia, Assisted Living Locators is one of the largest senior placement and referral businesses in the U.S.  

Passionate senior care advocate, pioneer in providing others an opportunity to join one of the hottest growing industries today and a leader determined to treat the elderly with the dignity they deserve – these are the goals Angela strives to achieve every day. 

Learn more about Angela Olea 

Learn more about Assisted Living Locators 

Meet Lisa (Oak) the ‘Woman Behind the Curtain’ and Chief Development Officer with BIGGBY COFFEE.   

In this interview, Lisa Oak shares her beliefs about leadership and how we tend to ignore the ‘unsung heroes’ who are behind the scenes supporting those out front. Not everyone, according to Lisa, is wired to be a leader in the traditional sense of the word. When we overlook an employee’s real skills, values and desires personally and professionally, it can lead to discontentment, poor performance and loss of a great employee.   

Lisa worked with Subway for 29 years under the leadership of Fred Deluca who proved to be a powerful mentor through his daily example. Even today, Lisa hears the voice of Fred Deluca in her head when assessing situations and making decisions.  

Listen in to Lisa Oak’s interview with Deb Evans (former co-host of Social Geek Radio) and Rebecca Monet on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Meet Lisa Oak   

Lisa joined the BIGGBY COFFEE team in 2019 and she has provided leadership guidance for this team to grow from 300+ stores to 1,000 by 2028! Not only is Lisa passionate about the company’s growth trajectory, she is also dedicated to the company’s mantra to “support YOU in building a life you love.”  All day every day, Lisa gets to support franchise owners and home office team members as they build their own versions of the “American Dream.”     

Lisa earned her law degree at Quinnipiac University School of Law where she is also an Adjunct Professor.  In fact, Lisa’s 30+ year career in franchising started with a summer job during law school.  She was hired to negotiate real estate leases for new franchise locations in the SUBWAY® franchise organization but growth opportunities quickly turned that summer job into a 29-year career where Lisa helped grow the Subway ® brand from 700 to 40,000+ locations in 100+ countries.    

Lisa has resided in New Haven County Connecticut since starting law school and is a proud native New Yorker.    

Learn more about Lisa Oak  

Learn more about BIGGBY COFFEE 

Rick Porter, president of Cinch I.T. Franchise loves fierce competition and facing overwhelming challenges. In fact, he thrives when pushed to the limit mentally and physically. Rick went from serving as an Army Ranger to building a successful managed IT services business targeted to small and medium sized business.  

In this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast, Rick shares his philosophy of personal and professional growth by forcing oneself completely and totally out of the comfort zone. He actively instills this philosophy in the culture at Cinch I.T. Franchise.  

Two years ago Cinch I.T. Franchise created a Charity Challenge to help raise money for families dealing with childhood cancer. The Challenge is a 100 Mile Ruck March (hike with a backpack). This year the Ruck March raised $140,000.  

Meet Rick Porter 

Rick Porter is an entrepreneur, YouTuber, Podcaster and lifelong learner. He is also the President of Cinch I.T. Franchise.   

Rick loves fierce competition and facing overwhelming challenges. He accepts that as an entrepreneur he may never be “satisfied” but that doesn’t mean that he won’t search for it. Sometimes it is the chase, the daily progress and the passion that makes it all worth it.

Cinch I.T.’s mission is to build the most comprehensive network of successful franchise owners recruited from only the best Finance, Sales, Marketing, Project Management professionals to provide outsourced managed IT services targeted to small and medium sized businesses.  

Last year Cinch I.T. created a Charity Challenge to help raise money for an organization called Why Me & Sherry’s House, they provide support for families dealing with childhood cancer. The Challenge is a 100 Mile Ruck March (hike with a backpack). This year Cinch I.T. raised $140,000.   

Learn more about Rick Porter 

Learn more about Cinch I.T.  

Registration for the 100 Mile Ruck March - https://cinchit.com/100-mile-ruck-march/ 

From Success to Significance. That’s the topic of this interview with Shannon Wilburn, CEO and Co-founder of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc.  

In this episode Shannon reminisces about the journey from ‘just an idea’ two young mothers had for making a little extra cash to growing a franchise system with over 150 franchisees. Shannon has enjoyed the journey, loved her franchisees, served many communities and remains passionate about making a difference.  

Now, after 25 years, she is asking herself: what’s next? This is a question many successful entrepreneurs ask themselves. They ponder who am I without my business? What is my true identity? How can I apply my God-given talents in other ways?  

Shannon knows her true identity is in Christ, and a few of her many talents include business – but the rest remains to be seen as she moves from Success to Significance. 

Listen to this episode on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide here.  

Meet Shannon Wilburn  

Shannon Wilburn is the co-founder and CEO of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc., North America’s leading pop-up children’s and maternity consignment sale. Just Between Friends (JBF) has 150+ franchises in 32 states. Each franchise hosts two or more seasonal sales a year in their community where they provide a marketplace for families selling items to earn 60 to 70% on those items sales and families shopping to save 50 to 90% off retail prices.  

A critical part of the JBF culture includes each franchise partnering with a local charity to give back to their community. Since 2003, Just Between Friends franchises and consignors have donated more than $40 million in cash and in-kind donations to charitable organizations throughout the nation—almost $6M of it in 2021 alone. Resources stay within the community, benefitting family-serving organizations locally. This giving focus won JBF the Franchising Gives Back Gold Award in 2019—recognition for what it means to be a part of the franchising industry by giving back to his or her local community. A key long-term goal for JBF is to continue to grow that giving to reach $100M in donations by the year 2030—JBF’s “Vision 2030.”   

Shannon was awarded the Bonnie LeVine Award in 2021—the highest honor given to women by the International Franchise Association for work done to empower others in Franchising. The Bonnie LeVine award recognizes women who are role models for all, but especially women, by their business and professional accomplishments within franchising and their contributions to the entire society. Bonnie LeVine award winners lead by example, demonstrate purpose, and focus on advancing women in franchising.   

JBF was named to Forbes “Top Ten Franchises in America” for 4 years, has been named in the top franchises for franchisee satisfaction by Franchise Business Review for 14 years. Shannon serves as a task force lead on the Membership Committee for the International Franchise Association as well as serves on her church’s Marketing Advisory Team. JBF has received national attention on Good Morning America, The Today Show, ABC News, CBS the Early Show, and FoxBusiness.com to name a few.   

Learn more about Shannon Wilburn  

Learn more about Just Between Friends 

It’s not too often one gets to sit down with a Super Bowl winner. But that’s exactly what Stan Friedman and Rebecca Monet got to do on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Meet Ben Utecht, a true Renaissance man. Ben has always chased his dreams, finding his way from small river town in Minnesota to winning Super Bowl XLI as a tight end with the Indianapolis Colts.  

Today Ben is an elite Fortune 500 speaker with his program Believe in Culture™.   

Believe in Culture™, stems from lessons Ben learned in the locker room with Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and in the huddle with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. The program illuminates dynamic ways to succeed in business and life.  

In this podcast Ben shares how his life has unfolded post football brain injury. It’s a mesmerizing and inspiring story you will not want to miss. 

Meet Ben Utecht

It is rare to find a true Renaissance man anymore, but that’s just what you get with Ben Utecht. Ben has always chased his dreams, finding his way from a small river town in Minnesota to winning Super Bowl XLI as a tight end with the Indianapolis Colts. He has established himself as an elite Fortune 500 speaker with his speaking program Believe in Culture™, which highlights the topic of believing that culture alignment improves performance and has the power to create high-performing teams — aligned beliefs equal aligned behaviors. His speaking program, Believe in Culture™, stems from lessons he learned in the locker room with Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy and in the huddle with Hall of Famer Peyton Manning. The program illuminates dynamic ways to succeed in business and life.

Ben Utecht has found success in many realms, sitting on the prestigious board of the American Brain Foundation, authoring Counting the Days While My Mind Slips Away with Simon and Schuster, creating the music group REBORN with South African Multi-Platinum Artist André Venter and Canadian Grammy Nominated Artist Mark Masri, and becoming a Dove nominated professional singer. As an advocate for athlete brain health, Ben speaks on concussion during The MVP Program™. He has performed with some of the world’s best orchestras and conductors; such as the Cincinnati Pops under Maestro Erich Kunzel, and the New York Pops Maestro Steven Reineke. Ben has also shared the stage with Grammy-winner Sandi Patty, performed for mega-producer and hit songwriter David Foster, and has toured many times with adult contemporary star pianist Jim Brickman. However, without question, Ben would tell you his greatest accomplishment is being a husband to his beautiful wife and a father to their four daughters.

Learn more about Ben Utecht

Learn more about Conquer Ninja Gyms

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