Tag: podcast guest

Music – the metaphor for business.

Aside from being a music fan, Tom Krouse believes music, in many ways, is a metaphor for life … and business. Tom is a musician and composer and sees many points of correspondence between what creates a beautiful melody and a harmonious work environment.

Tom Krouse, is the CEO of Donatos, the fast-casual pizza franchise famous for its ‘Edge to Edge’ toppings. Tom has created a new weekly segment on LinkedIn called, The Corner Piece: Leadership Insights by a Pizza Man to share career advice and ideas that he has learned from working in the fast casual industry for 35 years.

Listen to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide as the Pizza Man shares taste slices of wisdom.

Meet Tom Krouse

Tom Krouse is the CEO of Donatos, the fast-casual pizza franchise famous for its ‘Edge to Edge’ toppings. Tom has created a new weekly segment on LinkedIn called, The Corner Piece: Leadership Insights by a Pizza Man to share career advice and ideas that he has learned from working in the fast casual industry for 35 years. Here are some of the topics he has recently discussed…

Huh? Make it Simple

One of the most vital parts of the job as a leader is to take the complex…and make it simple. No matter the business, bringing products or services to market always has many, many moving parts. To be successful, you must know how to navigate all the different variables to achieve all your goals. It is complex, and it can be challenging. The problem is that leadership communication requires the opposite skills. You need to make what you’re doing easily digestible for your employees, and simplicity is key. Lay it out for them. Here’s what we’re doing…and here’s why. Period. No one needs to know how complicated the objective is…they all have enough to worry about. Be clear, simple, and motivating. 

The One Question to Ask

You can accomplish amazing things by asking ONE straightforward question every time you meet with your employees: “Is there anything I can do for you that will help you accomplish what you have planned?” That’s it! First, it shows them how much you care and want to help. Next, you might be able to help get something “unstuck” in their work. Finally, you start doing the most crucial part of your job, which is to help your people achieve success. Never be afraid of the question and ask it every time. They will appreciate the opportunity to discuss their needs.

Learn more about Tom Krouse

Learn more about Donatos Pizza

When the Future-Self Speaks, Amy Cheng Listens.

Amy Cheng joins us on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. 

Amy is the founding partner at Cheng Cohen LLC and general corporate practice with emphasis on domestic and international franchise, licensing and distribution law. She shares her insight on joint employer issues facing franchisees and franchisors and potential solutions going forward. One such solution includes educating the public about franchising and how franchisees are individual business owners.

Listen in to hear about Amy’s ah ha moment many years ago where it seemed her future-self was speaking to her.

Meet Amy Cheng

Amy Cheng is the founding partner of Cheng Cohen LLC in Chicago, Illinois. Amy concentrates her practice in domestic and international commercial transactions, general corporate, and franchise, licensing and distribution law. She represents franchisors on the structuring and operation of their franchise programs through all phases of domestic and international development.

Amy has extensive experience in structuring complex franchise, licensing and distribution relationships and in regulatory compliance. Her experience includes advising clients in connection with complex issues arising from the ownership of multiple brands, non-traditional opportunities, system restructuring and brand acquisition.

Amy represents clients of all sizes, from emerging to mature companies with multi-national operations. Representative clients include leaders in the restaurant, retail, fitness and home services industries.  With her broad range of experience, Amy essentially acts as general counsel to her clients, collaboratively maturing their businesses from infancy to prominence within their various industries.

Amy’s commercial transactional practice includes counseling clients on mergers and acquisitions, complex commercial relationships, strategic business alliances and joint ventures.  Amy’s unique combination of corporate and franchise experience provides clients with comprehensive legal services to expand their franchise portfolio. Her experience includes representing private equity in acquiring and selling franchise companies of all sizes and in a myriad of industries.

Amy is the vice-chair of IFA’s Supplier Forum Advisory Board and a member of the Franchise Advisory Board for the Illinois Attorney General. For her work in the field of franchise law, Amy was named a “Legal Eagle” by the Franchise Times, recognized by Who’s Who Legal, Leading Lawyers, Chambers and Partners and selected by her peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers of America@ and was The Best Lawyers’ 2014 Chicago Franchise Law “Lawyer of the Year”. In 2016, Amy was bestowed with the Crystal Compass Award for outstanding leadership by the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee. In 2020, Amy received the Bonnie LeVine Award from the IFA, an award that recognizes women for being role models by their professional accomplishments and contributions to society.

Learn more about Amy Cheng

Learn more about Cheng Cohen LLC

Pay it Back; Pay it Forward.

That seems to be Larisa Walega’s motto in life. She grew up as an only child. She loved and excelled at dance. Her first mentor was her father who is a physician. She has fond memories of watching her father who always wanted to help and serve. He was fearless and selfless – attributes Larisa aspires to emulate. She has had many mentors through childhood, college and in her career. Today, she pays it back and pays it forward by serving, mentoring and educating others.

Larisa serves as Vice Chair of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Women’s Franchise Committee. She also serves on the Auto Care Associations’ Marketing and Communications Committee. Larisa has been recognized within the franchising community as an Entrepreneur Top 50 Franchise CMO Gamechangers and a Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising.

A special shut-out to Robin Gagnon!

Larisa Walega is VP of Marketing at Ziebart International Corporation, where she is responsible for worldwide employee, franchise owner and consumer brand development.

Meet Larisa Walega

Larisa Walega is Vice President of Marketing for Ziebart International Corporation, where she is responsible for worldwide employee, franchise owner and consumer brand development. Larisa leads an integrated in-house marketing team that provides leadership and support across the entire Ziebart customer journey.

Prior to joining Ziebart, Larisa held account management roles at the two largest advertising agencies in Detroit.

Larisa holds a Bachelor’s degree from Adrian College, is a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and was appointed Vice Chair of the International Franchise Association’s (IFA) Women’s Franchise Committee. She also serves on the Auto Care Associations’ Marketing and Communications Committee. Larisa has been recognized within the franchising community as an Entrepreneur Top 50 Franchise CMO Gamechangers and a Top 100 Global Influencers in Franchising.

Learn more about Larisa Walega

Learn more about Ziebart International

Pressure is Privilege!

That’s the motto that Ali Kraus, VP of Marketing at Benetrends Financial lives her life by. The idea is we should not let opportunities to test ourselves pass us by. Pressure is the privilege to try ever-harder, to win (and lose) bigger, experience and learn more and to experience the full range of feelings that life has to offer us.

Listen in to this inspiring interview and learn more about the ‘Why’ behind Benetrends Financial and how she is bringing that message to the world.

PS: there’s a special shout out to Jack Monson, CEO of Brand J and host of Social Geek and Amanda Dempsey Franchise Law Attorney at Saxton & Stump.

Meet Ali Kraus

Experienced in the dynamic world of franchising, Ali Kraus brings a wealth of expertise in marketing and events to the industry. With a focus on franchise development marketing, digital strategy, brand elevation, social media, and event orchestration, Ali thrives on driving brand awareness and engagement.

As a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) and an engaged advocate within the International Franchise Association, she is a member of the Women’s Franchise Committee and participates with both the Baltimore and Philadelphia chapters of the WFN. This involvement has earned her recognition, including the title of Franchise Influencer in 2023.

Ali’s achievements span beyond the franchise realm. With a history that includes serving as an Assistant Coach for the Baltimore Ravens Cheerleading Program and being named a ProBowl Cheerleader in 2019, Ali combines her passion for excellence with her dedication to making a positive impact.

With her expertise, commitment, and proven track record, Ali Kraus is a driving force in shaping the future of franchising.

Learn more about Ali Kraus

Learn more about Benetrends Financial

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The Queen of Questions!

Pattye Moore, former Chairman and Interim CEO at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and former Sonic Drive-in President joins us on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. She shares her story of falling in love with franchising so much so she is now leading an expansion project with Donatos as an area developer.

Her story is about how curiosity and asking the right questions lead to a more fulfilling and successful life. Some of these questions turned into ways she could contribute her talents and ultimately step into leadership roles. Learn how you can be more curious on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast.

Meet Pattye Moore

Pattye Moore formerly served as the Board Chairman and Interim CEO at Red Robin Gourmet Burgers and served as the former Sonic Drive-In President. Pattye is leading a new expansion project with Donatos Pizza, the fast-casual pizza franchise famous for its Edge to Edge® toppings, growing its presence throughout Oklahoma by opening dozens of locations along with her franchise partner group. She currently resides in the state and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma and thought Donatos would be a perfect fit with growing markets.

Learn more about Pattye Moore

Learn more about Donatos Pizza

The 5 Love Languages & Franchising.

Kit Vinson, founder and president of FranMan, joins Rebecca Monet on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

FranMan offers two different, but related, services: custom Franchise Operating Manuals, and The Online Manual by FranMan. So yes, we discuss franchising and of course the process of creating Franchise Operating Manuals … however, the conversation takes a twist.

Listen in as Kit and Rebecca discuss the 5 Languages of Appreciation and the role they play in the franchisor-franchisee relationship. Listen in here.

Meet Kit Vinson 

Kit Vinson is the president and founder of FranMan Inc., established in 2005.

Prior to FranMan, Kit was a sales and marketing specialist with experience from the ground up. His resume includes corporations such as Hillenbrand Industries, Service Corp. International, and Infinity Broadcasting, showing his experience in advertising, financial services, and manufacturing.

Since its founding in 2005, FranMan has produced over 400 manuals for franchisors in industries across the board – from basement waterproofing to indoor skydiving, and every pizza joint in between. FranMan works for start-up mom & pop franchisors all the way up to the big guys such as 7-11, Panda Express, Rent-A-Center, and ServiceMaster.

FranMan has also developed The Online Manual by FranMan, a web-based wiki-style manual platform that was built from the ground up especially for franchisors to help them manage and distribute their franchise operations manuals. If you can put it on a webpage, they can stick it in your manual.

In 2023, Kit started a new business with his son, Charles Vinson. Together they have become franchisees of WOW 1 Day Painting in DFW metroplex.

Kit earned an MBA from The American Graduate School of International Management (a.k.a. Thunderbird) in 1994. His fields of study include International Marketing and the Spanish language. He has also completed business studies at the University of London in London, England and language studies in Antigua, Guatemala.

Since 2015, Kit has been the host of The Franchise Manual Podcast. His show is about all things franchising and the people who make it look easy.

Kit is a father of 5 and currently resides in Coppell, a suburb of Dallas, Texas, with his wife and 15-year-old son. His hobbies include hunting, road cycling, jogging, DIY home repair and basic auto repair.

Learn more about Kit Vinson

Learn more about FranMan Inc.

Liane has over 14 years of experience in franchise marketing and in 2020, she launched helloCMO, a franchise marketing consultancy offering fractional CMO or outsourced CMO engagements specifically for franchise brands and suppliers.

Liane Caruso, is a wonderful balance of live on the edge innovative with a calm knowingness. Somehow she just knows ‘what’s next’. You must listen in to Liane’s interview on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Meet Liane Caruso

Liane has a depth of experience working primarily in franchise marketing over the last 14 years. She launched her career in franchising with her own agency focusing on local marketing programs for franchise brands. After the agency was acquired, she worked with franchise brands to build local digital marketing campaigns, franchise development programs through integrated digital marketing programs and public relations tactics with well-known, reputable franchise suppliers.

In 2020, she built a franchise marketing consultancy called helloCMO, offering fractional CMO or outsourced CMO engagements specifically for franchise brands and suppliers. It’s an alternative solution that provides brands access to C-suite-level knowledge, expertise, and franchise marketing experience, but at a fraction of the cost. She works with an organization’s existing marketing department to develop strategic plans and execute campaigns that deliver consumer and franchise development results.

Earlier this year, she launched Hello Masterminds for C-suite franchise marketers. And most recently, she partnered with Michael Hyam to create Franchise Assembly, a franchise sales and development education platform. They’re hosting their first event: Let’s Grow! It will be held February 4-6, 2024 in Dallas!

Liane is actively involved in:
Women’s Franchise Committee – International Franchise Association
Supplier Forum Advisory Board Member – International Franchise Association – Communications Committee
YUM! Center for Global Franchising Board Member
International Franchise Association, CFE Certified

Learn more about Liane Caruso

Learn more about helloCMO

A parent’s love has no bounds. Sarah Burke claims she would have never gone into business if it weren’t for her daughter Addison. Addison envisioned a business where she could express her passion for swimming. So Sarah put her fears aside and together they found the perfect franchise for them: British Swim School.

Listen in as this mother-daughter duo share their journey on this week’s episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Meet Sarah Burke

Sarah Burke grew up in a small rural community in Iowa but has lived most of her adult life in Arizona. The single mom of two built her own after-school business, Stage of Mind Performing Arts, directing children’s choirs and musical productions and has always found great fulfillment in teaching children and empowering them to believe in themselves both on and off the stage.

When her oldest daughter, Addison, started approaching adulthood, conversations started flying about what she wanted to do after high school. Every conversation came back to the pool.  Addison had always loved the water and been a strong swimmer and had been teaching at a swim school for nearly two years.

After much discussion, Sarah started researching to see what options, if any, were feasible.  Addison’s dream was to teach swim as a career and Sarah wanted to support that dream.

Through the guidance of a phenomenal franchise consultant, Sarah learned about British Swim School and in June of 2022, took a leap of faith and invested in two British Swim School territories to support her daughter’s dream and ultimately, her future.

They opened in April of 2023 and the experience thus far has been life changing. Their dream has now become a reality as they were recently voted Best Swim School and Best Youth Sports Program in their home, Chandler, AZ.

Learn more about Sarah Burke

Learn more about British Swim School

Not everyone is wired to be an entrepreneur.

That’s what Bridgette Morgan, VP of Market Development at EverLine Coatings, discovered. Although Bridgette comes from a family of entrepreneurs, her path would end up being very different – yet, equally as fulfilling. Purpose and passion comes in many varieties and Bridgette knows how to express both well.

Listen in to this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide to hear Bridgette’s story.

Meet Bridgette Morgan

Bridgette Morgan has extensive experience in overseeing sales and product marketing operations and cultivating customer relationships to drive business growth. As Vice President of Market Development at EverLine Coatings, she defines and executes comprehensive market development strategies, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives. Bridgette also oversees sales quotas and assigns strategic account objectives for the National Accounts team, fostering revenue growth and client retention, plus tracks key performance metrics and provides regular reports to the executive team, highlighting progress and recommending actionable insights.

Bridgette previously worked at Lafayette Interior Fashions for more than 20 years, rising up the ranks in different managerial sales roles before being named Director of Marketing and Sales joining the senior management team. In this role, she oversaw all sales and marketing activities of the family owned B2B wholesaler business to increase product sales volume, increase marketplace presence, and establish a positive brand reputation by executing strategic marketing campaigns utilizing latest search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, and video content development practices.

Learn more about Bridgette Morgan

Learn more about EverLine Coatings and Services

Allison Zorich describes herself as dialed back extrovert and empath. An interesting concept when you think about it. And that is exactly what we do on this week’s episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Allison is an accomplished executive franchise leader with over 15 years of experience in sales, operations and business development. No doubt you have seen and spoken with her over the years at various franchise conferences.

Currently, Allison is the VP of Franchise Development at FranDevCo. One thing is for certain, she is laser focused on building and maintaining lifelong relationships professionally and personally.

Listen in and learn more about Allison Zorich.

Meet Allison Zorich 

Allison is an accomplished executive franchise leader with over 15 years of experience in sales, operations, business development, strategic planning, and brand development, with exceptional skills in communication, relationship management, and developing and implementing successful company goals & structure.

Prior to joining FranDevCo, Allison was the President of pūrvelo Cycle, an emerging boutique fitness concept.  Allison was responsible for all the operational components required to launch the brand into franchising.

Before pūrvelo Cycle, Allison was the President of Franchise Development for Premium Service Brands. She was responsible for the growth and management of several home-service based concepts.

Before Premium Service Brands, she spent close to 9 years with Guidant Financial as their Director of Business Development. In this role, she was responsible for managing and training a team that focused on franchise partner prospecting and management.

Learn more about Allison Zorich

Learn more about FranDevCo