Ladies in Red: Kater Danford, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa discuss the power of love and the importance of a ‘service to others’ mindset, in this special Valentine’s Day interview.
As a single mother, without a college education Kater was in a tight spot and needed to make some changes. A career counselor suggested she had the attributes of a great salesperson. Once Kater realized that sales was a respectable profession with a spiritual aspect she began to trust her intuition.
Master relationship builder Kater Danford gives us a glimpse into how her mind and heart have collaborated to provide her a successful and fulfilling sales career.
Listen in to learn how Kater:
Makes the first contact, often a cold call
‘Listens’ without an agenda
Lives worry free and faith filled
Overcomes negative self-talk
Finds it easy to be self-disciplined
Showers others with love, respect and appreciation
Tames her ‘Type A’ personality
And oh so much more!
The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide
Meet Kater Danford
Kater Danford is the Business Engagement Specialist at Northeast Color.
At 30, Kater was a single Mom dependent on social services when a career counselor highly recommended sales.
Kater surrounded herself with seasoned pros, “influencers,” as Og Mandino, Jim Rohn and Zig Ziglar and found the courage and inspiration to embrace sales as a career and way of life. Once Kater realized that sales was a respectable profession with a spiritual aspect she began to trust her intuition. Kater put her heart into it, took risks and quickly became part of the solution. Sales is one profession you can excel without a college degree. Within a few years Kater was independent, happy with options and bringing in 6 figures.
With the attitude to be of service to strangers Kater developed strong relationships through listening and gaining trust. The rewards have been many from being a career long advocate helping people get what they need to the biggest bonus of the relationships themselves.
Mary Jane (MJ) Riva, CEO of Pizza Factory has an interesting 3-prong approach to roadblocks, obstacles and failure.
Failure to MJ is just another word for learning and developing character. MJ acknowledges we are all flawed human beings and is unapologetically herself.
MJ consciously weighs out whether the business is running her or if she is running the business. This allows her to take stock of what is truly important and if her commitments are in alignment.
When an obstacle presents itself MJ checks her inner compass. She does this by turning to God through prayer and reflection to determine if she is on purpose and using her talents wisely. This allows her to be at peace with present situations as well as an unknown future.
Listen in to an authentic and wisdom filled interview with MJ on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Meet Mary Jane Riva
Mary Jane Riva is the CEO of Pizza Factory, an iconic hometown pizzeria with an innovative approach to operations and more than 100 locations around the West Coast and beyond. MJ has been in the pizza industry for more than 30 years and has helped Pizza Factory grow into a community staple and leader in the pizza space.
Starting out as a Pizza Factory franchisee herself, MJ become CEO in 2012 and continues to uphold the community ties the brand is known for as they continue to grow. When it comes to Pizza Factory, MJ expresses interest in all areas of the business which allows her to continue to be innovative and work with other like-minded individuals to make the brand’s goals a reality.
Most recently the brand was ranked on Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 list and landed on the Franchise Times Top 400 list. MJ also helped Pizza Factory introduce a new Express Model, which helped the brand solidify itself as an industry leader and one that is familiar with the increasing demand for convenience and off-premise dining.
Given all that MJ and the Pizza Factory executive team have introduced in the past few years, Pizza Factory is quickly expanding and has recently signed agreements in two brand new states—Georgia and Texas—with much more growth on the horizon for 2022.
Don’t let one person (and their opinions of you) define you!
That’s our big takeaway in this heartfelt and inspiring interview with Candace (Couture) Byrnes. Candace speaks from personal experience having worked with a highly critical nitpicking superior. Her confidence and competence were under constant attack. Candace shares how she moved through that painful experience and the lessons and blessings that came from it.
Candace spent 21 years with Planet Fitness and recently joined Zor411 as a partner and COO. Here, she leverages her experience and knowledge to help carefully selected franchise brands expand their market share and achieve business objectives through thoughtful growth strategies. She stands by the company’s mission to Love, Learn and Live Your Business and is currently serving in a development leadership role for the company’s first two brands The DRIPBaR and Brake Squad.
Listen in to Candace Byrnes as she joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Meet Candace Byrnes
Candace Couture, CFE is an accomplished Franchise Sales and Business Development Executive with more than 21 years of experience at the Planet Fitness World Headquarters (1999-2020), supporting corporate initiatives, facilitating critical business planning, and driving company growth and expansion. She was promoted through a series of positions throughout her successful tenure, playing an integral role in awarding and opening over 2,000 locations throughout the US, Puerto Rico, Canada, Mexico, Panama and Australia.
In her most recent role as the VP of Business Development (November 2018-August 2020) Candace was responsible for creating and implementing an international growth strategy as well as leading the domestic Franchise Development Team to optimize existing Area Development territories as well as manage new prospects to drive long-term revenue growth.
Candace has been a business partner in Zor411 since September 2021, when she stepped into the role of COO for the organization. Here, she leverages her experience and knowledge to help carefully selected franchise brands expand their market share and achieve business objectives through thoughtful growth strategies. She stands by the company’s mission to Love, Learn and Live Your Business and is currently serving in a development leadership role for the company’s first two brands The DRIPBaR and Brake Squad.
In addition to her work at Planet Fitness and Zor411, Candace has earned her Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association (IFA). She has spoken at numerous Conferences, including those hosted by the IFA, to discuss best practices in Franchise Development for emerging Franchise brands.
Candace has also been an Executive Leadership Team Member of the American Heart Association’s (AHA’s) NH Heart Ball since 2020 and currently serves as Chairwoman for the 2022 event.
When not focusing on her role with Zor411 or volunteer work with organizations such as the AHA, she loves to spend as much time as possible outdoors with her husband, Steven, and two English Cream Golden Retrievers, Casco and Baylee.
How does someone go from being a pharmacist to a restauranteur and then a franchisor?
Lauren Coulter, Co-founder and Director of Franchise Development tells Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa the story that led to Biscuit Belly on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Initially Lauren Coulter took the safe road … just like her mom who had spent 30 years working at the same company. When Lauren was a teenager her parents divorced. Her mother drilled it into her head that financial independence for a woman was important. Becoming a pharmacist would guarantee her job and financial security. But as the years went she realized something was missing …
She like many in her generation was looking for something more than income something that would lead towards greater fulfillment.
Listen in as Lauren shares her story and some valuable lessons she and her husband Chad learned about building a business based on passion versus intentionally scaling a business.
Meet Lauren Coulter
Lauren Coulteris a pharmacist turned restaurateur. After graduating pharmacy school, she and husband Chad Coulter opened Louisville’s first “paint and sip” businesses. In 2014, they shifted into the restaurant scene by opening LouVino, a southern inspired small plates and wine bar restaurant. They grew LouVino to 5 locations in Louisville, Indianapolis, and Cincinnati before starting Biscuit Belly.
The first Biscuit Belly location opened in May 2019 and since then has opened two additional locations in Louisville and one in Evansville, IN. The Coulter’s sold LouVino so they can focus on the growth and franchise development of Biscuit Belly. There are currently 20 franchise units in development and they are excited to continue to grow further.
Sharon Duke Estroff, CEO and Founder of Challenge Island joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
What did I learn?
Challenge is important to a child’s emotional, social and intellectual development.
Taking risks and stepping into unknown territories without adults at the ready to solve problems, give direction, set goals or even boundaries encourages a child’s critical thinking, creativity and social interactions.
These life skills are more important than IQ and will lead to a well-adjusted and successful adult.
Sharon believes a vital attribute to success is resilience – and if we shield our children from challenges and risks we do them a great disservice. Listen in as Sharon talks about how she encourages her franchisees and their students to think and act like a palm tree – deeply rooted, strong and agile, swaying with the winds no matter the velocity.
Meet Sharon Estroff
Sharon is founder and creator of the Challenge Island® program. She is an award-winning elementary school teacher with two decades of experience in Atlanta public and private schools. Voted best teacher in Atlanta by a major Atlanta newspaper, Sharon created Challenge Island in her 2nd grade classroom before launching it as her own business.
Sharon sold her first Challenge Island franchise in 2013 and has been growing the company by leaps and bounds ever since. Sharon is also a Penguin/Random House parenting author and educational journalist for numerous publications including Scholastic Parent and Child, Parents, Woman’s Day and Good Housekeeping Magazines.
Sharon is co-author of the Challenge Island children’s book series. Sharon received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from Emory University where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. She lives in Atlanta with her husband, four children and three miniature golden doodles.
Author and serial entrepreneur Jenna Banks, joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Jenna Banks is an entrepreneur, public speaker, author, podcast host, real estate investor and self-love advocate focused on women’s empowerment. Be on the lookout for Jenna’s newest book: I Love Me More: How to Find Happiness and Success, Through Self-Love. Coming out in March 2022.
You’ll find this interview fascinating if you:
Are a people pleaser
Are an over giver
Everyone else’s needs, wants are more important than yours
Have trouble setting boundaries
You find yourself frequently exhausted, depressed, anxious or resentful
Jenna Banks practiced self-love which allowed her to overcome a traumatic childhood and young adulthood. She was able to move up the corporate ladder with just a GED, navigate single parenthood, negotiate profitable real estate investments and launch, scale and sell her marketing products company.
Listen in to hear her story and learn how self-love might just be the recipe to healthier relationships, greater success and happiness.
Meet Jenna Banks
JENNA BANKS is an entrepreneur, public speaker, author, podcast host, real-estate investor, and self-love advocate focused on women’s empowerment and gender equality. Her new book is I Love
Me More: How to Find Happiness and Success Through Self-Love.
Having survived a traumatic upbringing, as well as a nearly fatal suicide attempt, Banks was able to thrive in the business world, despite being armed with only a high school equivalency diploma. Early in her career, she worked in management and entrepreneurial roles, producing marketing products for major movie studios in Los Angeles, including Sony Pictures Entertainment, Paramount Pictures, and Warner Bros. She has also worked in the toy and games industry, including with well-known brands such as Hasbro, Mattel, and Lego.
As someone who learned to never question her instincts, Banks trusted the inner call to quit her comfortable six-figure corporate job and start a home-based marketing products business in 2012 with $400 and a laptop. While running the company, Banks simultaneously ramped up a profitable realestate venture and then later sold her marketing products business for $500,000.
Since selling her company, she’s now focused on what she feels is her higher purpose: to share her story and her message of empowerment and the incredible importance of self-love with the world through her writing; speaking engagements; The Jenna Banks Show, a podcast and video series; and her newest lifestyle brand, TigerFeather.
When she’s not working, Banks enjoys collecting fine art, playing tennis, traveling, spending time with friends and family, and connecting with and inspiring other women to succeed and be empowered.
Marci Kleinsasser, Vice President, Marketing at Handyman Connection joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
As a teenager Marci stocked shelves and worked the cash register at her dad’s The Medicine Shoppe franchise. Little did she know that franchising would turn out to be a true passion. Her passion shows in her contagious glass is always full attitude, her uncanny ability to traverse obstacles and help her franchisees grow marketing share.
Listen in and be inspired as we talk collaborative cultures and individual significance and how she and Handyman Connection fosters a sense of family. Marci provides advice on what to do with the Negative Nellie should someone be having a bad day.
Meet Marci Kleinsasser
Marci is the Vice President, Marketing for Handyman Connection, the original home improvement and remodeling franchise concept with over 60 locations in North America. In her role at Handyman Connection, Marci heads up all consumer and franchise marketing.
Prior to joining Handyman Connection in 2012, Marci led the marketing teams for some well-known brands in franchising – PuroClean, Coverall, Benihana, Kenny Rogers Roasters and Domino’s Pizza. She also worked on the agency side at Tinsley Advertising and BBDO South for brands like Premier Cruise Lines, Mayor’s Jewelers and Burger King, and worked in partnership marketing at Alamo Rent A Car.
With more than 30 years of marketing experience for mostly franchise companies, Marci is fanatical about brand experience and franchisee success. Marci holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Florida International University, a Franchise Mini-MBA from Nova Southeastern University and is a Certified Franchise Executive by the International Franchise Association.
Attorney, advocate and franchise advisor April Porter joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Porter has an inner justice compass; a due north. She has been fighting for the underdog and the victimized most of her life. As a prosecuting attorney she worked tirelessly to bring justice to the victims of child abuse, sex offenses and murder.
After 10 years she left the world of law and entered the franchise space. She quickly realized there were some ‘gaps’ between her experience and skills and the franchise model. She was overwhelmed with the magnitude of responsibilities in areas that she was unfamiliar with including marketing, sales, employee development and financial management.
With much introspection and a problem-solving mindset she immersed herself in learning how to be a successful business owner. Ultimately April became an award winning, multi-unit franchisee.
Listen in as April shares how her passion and purpose have collided by helping franchisees and franchisors think, strategize and execute.
Meet April Porter
As an award-winning entrepreneur with a proven record of success, April has experienced first-hand the joy of building a business that creates a dream life.
She is fulfilling her mission of teaching franchisees how to fill the gap between the franchise model and the executive-level know-how needed to increase revenues, build a reliable team, and scale to multiple locations.
When she started as a first-time business owner, April was overwhelmed with the magnitude of responsibilities in areas that she was unfamiliar with (marketing, sales, employee development and financial management), so she fully immersed herself in learning how executives think, strategize, and execute.
April’s approach to franchise ownership created explosive growth. She expanded to four locations in record time by cultivating a team of employees personally invested in exceeding expectations and maximizing performance. She used a strategic plan to motivate and empower everyone to drive toward the mission of reaching their BHAG, allowing April to delegate the daily operational tasks and become an absentee owner.
With a passion for mentoring Franchisees, she began teaching the formula to multi-unit success – an evolution from an employee role inside the business into an Entrepreneur overseeing growth and expansion.
April loves finding ways to simplify business ownership by breaking down concepts into easy-to-implement, step-by-step processes and introducing out-of-the-box strategies that separate her clients from their competitors.
As a 3x winner of St. Louis’ Top 50 Fastest Growing Companies, an AAFD Trailblazer Award recipient, and an International Best-Selling Author, April is the go-to specialist for optimizing the systems that make delegation possible, implementing marketing and sales strategies with a high ROI, developing an elite team, and scaling to multiple franchise units.
As a former trial attorney and Judge, April understands the legal agreements and teaches franchisees to think and act like CEOs within the brand standards of the franchise model they love, setting her apart from other coaches.
April believes that franchising provides an awesome business model that benefits from a franchisee proficient in leadership, marketing, sales, and financial management skills, with a growth mindset.
April is dedicated to mentoring franchisees that want to enjoy life, enhance their impact on the world and crush the competition.
Some might say Kim Hanson, CEO of LearningRx is a daddy’s girl. I would argue Kim Hanson is Dr. Ken Gibson’s muse. Listen in and decide for yourself.
I think there are a few things we can agree upon:
Dr. Gibson (Kim’s dad) and Kim Hanson are purpose driven individuals.
Cognitive skills training creates real life results.
The spiritual and intellectual mantel that Kim carries is heavy, and worth it.
The baton has been successfully passed and the race is on to fill yet another football stadium with clients from around the world who have been helped.
Join us on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Meet Kim Hanson
Kim Hanson is the CEO of LearningRx, the largest one-on-one brain training company in the world with 60+ centers in the U.S., and locations in over 40 additional countries around the globe. She began her leadership role with the organization in 2004 as executive VP and was named chief executive in 2017. Her career passion is to help professionals, educators, and parents learn more about cognitive skills training and the dramatic results it can have on real life performance.
Prior to her time with LearningRx, Kim worked in education with second and fifth graders at several inner-city schools in Nashville and Minneapolis.
Kim is CFE Certified (certified franchise executive) and is a graduate of North Central University in Minneapolis. She is the proud daughter of Dr. Ken Gibson, founder of LearningRx, with whom she co-authored the book Unlock the Einstein Inside in 2007.
Beyond the workplace, Kim currently enjoys mentoring high school and college students as they identify future career options. In addition, she is a vocal advocate for the civil rights of people with intellectual & developmental disabilities (I/DD).
Kim is married to her husband Dr. Wayne Hanson of 26-years and together they are busy raising their four children: Lily, Zac, Max and Gracie. In her free time, Kim loves creating custom pottery for family and friends while also watching football on Sundays as she is a diehard Green Bay Packers fan.
Self-proclaimed franchise nerd Cassidy Ford joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.
Here are some topics covered in this episode:
Cassidy talks about trust, specifically her trust in God and the many lessons of learning how to trust herself and others.
Cassidy is the account director at FRM Solutions and the only woman in her company. She shares how her gifts as a woman, encourager and one that is good at keeping others accountable.
The importance of self-awareness and how the statement “I Find” plays such a vital role in her life and business. This part of the conversation … is crazy eye-opening (for Rebecca and hopefully each of you) as Cassidy digs deep into the many benefits of this statement. You must listen to this young sage-like woman and her insights.
Additional topics: Empathy, Grace, Mercy, Risk, Fear of letting others down and the one question the hosts should have asked and more importantly how Cassidy would have answered.
Meet Cassidy Ford
Cassidy Ford is Account Director at FRM Solutions, an enterprise-level, end-to-end franchise relationship management platform.
A self-proclaimed franchise nerd, Cassidy’s experience spans from launching development departments with emerging brands like How Do You Roll?—a fast-casual sushi concept featured on ABC’s Shark Tank—to working with resales and under-performing franchisees with legacy brands such as Huddle House. Now, in her role at FRM, she uses her insight to consult with other franchisors on CRM utilization and industry best practices.
Cassidy proudly serves on the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee and is a dedicated member of the Southeast Franchise Forum and the Atlanta Chapter of the Women’s Franchise Network.
