Tag: podcast guest

Your Next Hello Can Be Your Future

When asked what advice she would give women in business or considering business ownership, Natasha Cornstein, the CEO of Blushinton, answered: Your next hello can be your future. She shares personal stories of how her open mindset, curiosity, and talent for listening led to opportunities and friendships. So how does one do just that and do so without a hidden agenda?

Listen to Natasha Cornstein’s interview on this week’s episode of The Franchise Woman podcast where she provides leadership insights on how a harsh negative performance review in her earlier career opened her eyes to things she still needed to learn.

Blushington, the luxury blowout and makeup lounge, is disrupting the beauty industry by offering the most in-demand express beauty services all under one roof including blowouts, makeup application, and skincare.

Meet Natasha Cornstein

From January 2015 to January 2024, Natasha Cornstein served as President and CEO of Blushington LLC, a brick-and-mortar and digital beauty services and retail business. She led the national expansion of the brand and its pivot from a pure play brick-and-mortar beauty services business to a technology-driven beauty education and e-commerce platform. She continues to reinvent the business by creating the first of its kind platform for beauty professionals. In January 2024 she became CEO of Blushington Holdings Inc and led the development and launch of Blushington Franchising. Natasha is a trusted colleague in the beauty industry and a champion for emerging beauty brands and up and coming talent.  

Natasha is a passionate advocate for nurturing women in business and was named a Beauty United Mentor for women of color.  In 2020, she was named to the Glossy 50 list of the top 50 executives in the beauty industry in their leadership category. She is the Founder of the Beauty & Wellness Forum that brought together 100+ CEOS of beauty & wellness companies to collaborate during COVID-19. She has regularly been featured in WWD, Beauty Independent, The New York Times, and Allure among other publications. 

Natasha served as an Independent Director on CF Acquisition Corp. V and currently serves as an Independent Director on CF Acquisition Corp. VII.  

Prior to joining Blushington, Natasha served as Director of Brand Management for CIRCA (April 2012 -December 2014) where she led the company’s re-branding initiatives across traditional and digital platforms and served as the brand’s spokesperson during their international expansion. 

Before joining CIRCA, she served as Vice President of Client Services and Media Relations at Pinnacle Management Corp (February 2003 – March 2012), a boutique athlete representation firm specializing in NBA and international basketball players. She also served as Associate Producer at The Fox News Channel (June 2001 – February 2003), where she oversaw segment development, booking, and producing for the number one news show on cable television.

Natasha is the Co-founder of the Courts of Dreams Foundation, dedicated to restoring outdoor basketball courts in underserved neighborhoods in New York City.  Natasha is a graduate of the CORO Fellows Program in Public Affairs and earned a B.A. in Latin American Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.  She currently resides in New York City with her beloved husband and son.  

Learn more about Natasha Cornstein

Learn more about Blushington

Faith and Fortune

Today’s special guests on The Franchise Woman podcast are life partners and kingdom workers, Todd Recknagel and Kristi Mailloux. 

Todd and Kristi talk openly about their faith and how it determines what projects and investments they make. Faith impacts everything they do including their marriage and charitable endeavors. 

Their company name, Three20 Capital Group, clearly demonstrates their mission:

Ephesians 3:20

Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, 21to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.

Todd and Kristi are the managing partners of Three20 Capital Group, a private investment firm focused on franchise, distribution and multi-unit investments. They have strong operational backgrounds and industry relationships. Three20 Capital Group excels in situations where they can partner with founders, management teams, and co-invest with other investment firms to build a platform that will scale and generate long-term value for all business stakeholders.

Listen to their story here.

Meet Todd Recknagel

With acumen in strategy, finance, and deal-making, Todd Recknagel has consistently elevated the companies he’s engaged with to market leadership. His roles have spanned from CEO, Board Member, Board Chair, Operating Partner, to Co-investor – in a variety of growth enterprises.

Currently, he serves as an Operating Partner & Board Member for PCRK Group, the largest franchisee of Massage Envy; the Board Chair & Partner for Salon Freedom, the top franchisee for Sola Salons; a Board Member & Partner at Office Pride; and a Managing Partner and Board Member for Specialty Tile Products. He also has served many years on the Board of the International Franchise Association and serves on the Executive Committee.

Todd was the CEO & Partner for Mr. Handyman International; the CEO & Partner for AM Conservation Group, the nation’s leading energy efficiency product supplier; a Board Member & Partner for Take 5 Oil Change; and a Board Member & Operating Partner at Quatrro Business Support Services.

Todd earned his MBA in finance from the Eli Broad School at MSU.

Meet Kristi Mailloux

Throughout her diverse career across various industries, Kristi Mailloux has amassed a multifaceted skill set. Her expertise spans departmental leadership, marketing, and operations, which she applied hands-on implementations within portfolio companies. She holds roles such as Operating Partner for PCRK Group, the largest franchisee of Massage Envy; Board Member & Operating Partner in Salon Freedom, the largest franchisee for Sola Salons; and Operating Partner at Office Pride.

In her past, Kristi served as the President of Molly Maid, the nation’s second-largest maid service franchise, where she led the company to its peak dollar growth. She also held the presidency at 1-800-DryClean, one of the country’s rapidly expanding dry-cleaning franchise brands. Her tenure as the Chief Marketing Officer at AM Conservation Group drove growth at the nation’s leading energy efficiency company serving utilities. Additionally, she was the Chief Operating Officer for a major multi-unit operator in Massage Envy. Kristi holds a degree from the University of Michigan and a CFE from the International Franchise Association.

Learn more about Todd Recknagel

Learn more about Kristi Mailloux

Learn more about Three20 Capital Group

Bridging the gap between franchise brokers and franchisors

Today’s episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast highlights Ari O’Brien and Jason O’Brien. Husband and wife team Ari O’Brien and Jason O’Brien specialize in bridging gaps and building relationships. Jason has experience as a franchise broker and franchisor and Ari is a whizbang sales professional.

Together they founded Red Rock Franchise Ventures LLC where they specialize in working with franchise consultants and Emerging Franchise Brands to grow/scale with right-fit franchisees. There are several takeaways in this interview many dealing with the importance of authentic, win-win business relationships. Listen in.

Meet Ari O’Brien

Boasting a sterling sales and marketing track record, Ari O’Brien has been the dynamo fueling franchise growth for over a decade. Her career prior to franchising saw her excel as a top sales performer in the nation’s largest food distribution company, playing a vital role in aiding independent and national restaurant concepts to expand their horizons.

In 2013, Ari dipped her toes into the exhilarating pool of business ownership, co-founding Red Rock Franchise Ventures LLC, a franchise consulting brokerage firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Applying her innate knack for sales and deep-seated passion for helping others succeed, she swiftly established herself as a top producer in one of the world’s most respected franchise consulting networks.

Since 2019, Ari has channeled her expertise and experience into nurturing numerous emerging franchisors and franchise consultants, creating a legacy as a relationship specialist with a “get it done now” mindset and a ceaseless sense of urgency.

Today, as the lead of the development team at Red Rock Franchise Development, Ari’s focus is firmly on fostering a successful franchise system for franchisors by helping establish the essential infrastructure needed to ensure consistent franchisee growth.

For Ari, her work in franchise development boils down to a single, simple passion: to empower current and future franchisors in building a team of thriving franchisees. She embodies Red Rock’s unwavering ethics of standing tall in a sea of franchise development brands and genuinely caring. She cares about your franchise as much as you do, and she’s committed to its success.

Meet Jason O’Brien

Possessing over 25 years of progressive leadership, Jason has navigated his way through various industries, occupying numerous high-ranking executive positions. His journey led him to the franchise industry over a decade ago, and it quickly became his calling.

Jason’s venture into franchising began in 2013 when he decided to swap his corporate career for the adventurous path of business ownership. Leveraging his robust background in food and beverage, he discovered the role of a Franchise Consultant while exploring various franchise opportunities. Just weeks after completing his training with one of the largest franchise consulting networks in the nation, he and his wife Ari launched their own franchise consulting business, Red Rock Franchise Ventures LLC.

Seeking to broaden his knowledge and expertise, Jason ventured into the franchisor side of the business. Juggling his consulting business, he stepped into the shoes of a Franchise Development Manager, gaining invaluable experience working with several franchisors in different industries.

In 2015, he joined a nascent crime-scene cleaning franchise as a Development Manager. Jason’s tenacity and strategic approach enabled the company to expand to 24 locations, after which he was appointed to President and CEO. Under his leadership over the next four and a half years, the company grew into the world’s largest crime-scene cleaning franchise.

Throughout his career, Jason has found profound fulfillment on both sides of the franchise coin. Since 2014, he has mentored and trained franchise consultants at all levels, equipping hundreds of consultants worldwide with the tools they need for success.

Jason’s unyielding passion for franchising and his genuine commitment to helping others succeed has culminated into the creation of Red Rock Franchise Development. Jason is not just in the business of franchising; he’s in the business of fostering dreams and empowering success.

Learn more about Ari O’Brien

Learn more about Jason O’Brien

Learn more about Red Rock Franchise Development

Spencer Sabatasso, the dynamic VP of Franchise Development at The Red Chickz, joins us today on The Franchise Woman podcast. It’s a lively, laughter-filled conversation about growing up in Newport Beach, California in the limelight of Sabatasso Pizzeria founded by his family.

Spencer’s journey began in culinary arts, owning and operating successful restaurants since the mid-1990s, and holding key roles such as VP of Operations, President, and CEO. His deep industry knowledge, combined with hands-on experience as both a franchisee and franchisor, provides him with a unique perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a thriving franchise.

Spencer shares the story of losing everything due to addiction and rebuilding his life through recovery. Today he shares his life and business lessons with others, and he has truly become a thought leader in the fast-casual restaurant industry. Listen to his fascinating story here.

Meet Spencer Sabatasso

Spencer Sabatasso, the dynamic VP of Franchise Development at The Red Chickz, whose extensive background in the hospitality industry and franchise development has positioned himself as a thought leader in the field. Spencer’s journey began in culinary arts, owning and operating successful restaurants since the mid-1990s, and holding key roles such as VP of Operations, President, and CEO. His deep industry knowledge, combined with hands-on experience as both a franchisee and franchisor, provides him with a unique perspective on what it takes to build and sustain a thriving franchise.

Spencer’s notable achievements include growing Cookie Plug from 23 locations in California to over 200, showcasing his ability to scale businesses effectively. His strategic approach to franchise development emphasizes three core components: readiness to franchise, selecting well-capitalized partners who share the brand’s vision, and targeting the best-emerging markets. Spencer believes in creating franchises that are well-supported and dedicated to ensuring the success of franchisees.

At The Red Chickz, Spencer is spearheading a methodical expansion strategy aimed at establishing 50-100 stores over the next 5-6 years. He prioritizes quality over quantity, seeking multi-unit operators who are committed to the brand’s long-term vision. The Red Chickz stands out in the fast-casual sector with its superior product, exceptional support system, and careful selection of franchisees, ensuring synergy and growth.

Learn more about Spencer Sabatasso

Learn more about The Red Chickz

I want to be like Doug when I grow up.

Esther Cromwell, Founder and CEO of Avendelle Assisted Living joins us on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast. 

Esther Cromwell’s life started in Sri Leone, Africa where she attended a catholic boarding school. It was a cultural shock when her family moved to New York City where she attended public school.

When she met and married her husband Doug, she was in for some valuable life lessons including how to budget and plan for the future. Although complete opposites personality wise, they shared core values and found they complemented each other in many ways. Their mutual admiration and love became the foundation where Esther knew together they could accomplish anything.

When they moved to Maryland, Esther befriended an elderly, widowed neighbor. Esther’s kindhearted nature immediately jumped in to help her neighbor and it wasn’t long before Esther knew she had found her calling! Listen in to the whole story and how Esther now mentors others to grow their businesses.

Meet Esther Cromwell

Esther Cromwell founded her first family care home in 2005 after realizing her passion for senior care through helping an elderly, widowed neighbor. She began researching what goes into senior care facilities and realized more could be done. With that, a spark was ignited, and Esther had found her calling in life. This led Esther to start Avendelle Assisted Living, a unique senior housing option offering care in the comfort of one of their residential homes. Esther earned her Masters of Social Work from North Carolina State University in 2013, as well as Bachelor’s degrees in business administration and accounting from North Carolina Wesleyan College in 2004. That first facility has turned into many, and she couldn’t be prouder to work with her residents.

Learn more about Esther Cromwell

Learn more about Avendelle Assisted Living

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