Tag: podcast guest

Laura Coe, CEO and Co-founder of Snapology joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

What does a single mother do when she can’t find after school programs or extra-curricular activities for her young, non-athletic boys? Simple. She creates one. Then another. Then dozens more and calls it Snapology.  

Snapology offers online and in-person classes, summer camps, field trips, and birthday parties. In addition to more traditional subjects, it features classes in robotics, coding, video game design and animation, using Legos, K’nex, and other technology, including iPads and laptops.  

This interview looks at how social interaction encourages a child’s self-expression and builds confidence. And how a child’s muscle of imagination grows when exercised during play, exploration and collaboration.   

Listen in as Laura Coe share’s how her passion for math collided with her passion to have a positive impact on the lives and future children and their communities.   

Meet Laura Coe

Laura is the CEO of the Snapology franchise system. Laura, along with her sister Lisa, founded Snapology in 2010. Snapology’s mission is to provide educational play to children using LEGO® bricks, K’Nex and other interactive mediums. Snapology provides coding, robotics and S.T.E.A.M. (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programs to children of all abilities, including gifted children and those with extra needs.  

Laura oversees the daily operations of the Snapology franchise; including franchisee support, lead generation, systems development, curriculum development and the function of the local Pittsburgh-South franchise.  

Prior to starting Snapology, Laura held a successful career as a health care actuary for 20+ years.  As a health care actuary, she held senior-level positions with Aetna, CVS Pharmacare, Eckerd Health Services and Mercer Human Resource Consulting. In these roles, Laura was responsible for providing actuarial and strategic guidance for pharmacy, dental and behavioral health products. Laura has also presented to various State legislatures and members of the US Senate and House of Representative on various topics involving prescription drug programs.  

Laura holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Penn State University.  She is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries and a Member of the American Academy of Actuaries.   She lives in the Pittsburgh area with her two children. 

Learn more about Laura Coe 

Learn more about Snapology  

Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this very special episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

I think we can all agree, Catherine Monson knows a thing or two about success!  

She’s directed, managed and mentored the success of hundreds of franchisees as the CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc. She successfully oversaw the formation of Propelled Brands, the corporate umbrella that now includes FASTSIGNS, SIGNWAVE in Australia, NerdsToGo, MY SALON and Salon Plaza.  

As Chair of the International Franchise Association (IFA) Catherine has observed the good, bad and ugly of franchisors and franchisees when building their businesses.  

Catherine has her finger on the pulse of franchising and understands first hand the characteristics of highly successful people.    

If this podcast does not quicken your heart and enliven your spirit – I’ll personally administer CPR.  

Listen in. Listen up. Share.  

Meet Catherine Monson

Catherine Monson brings 30 years of franchising and management experience to her leadership role that spans multiple brands. Catherine has been the CEO of FASTSIGNS International, Inc., the leading sign and visual communications franchisor in North America, since January 2009. In 2021, Catherine oversaw and announced the formation of Propelled Brands, the corporate umbrella that now includes FASTSIGNS®; SIGNWAVE® in Australia where FASTSIGNS centers operate under the SIGNWAVE brand; NerdsToGo®, an emerging IT services franchise brand acquired in September 2020; and Suite Management Franchising, LLC, the parent company of MY SALON Suite and Salon Plaza acquired in June 2021. Salon Management Franchising, LLC is a leading concept in the salon suite industry bringing together a collection of independent beauty professionals in one luxurious location.

With a focus on business-to-business and service franchises and the people behind those businesses, Propelled Brands helps each franchise confidently navigate forward based on their unique position, momentum and purpose. Propelled Brands establishes a strategic path for each brand to chart a course and offer support and guidance to every franchisee in each brand to help them ultimately arrive at maximum success.

Below are awards and accomplishments Catherine has obtained over the course of her career:

●The International Franchise Association (IFA) Bonny LeVine Award in recognition of her contributions to the growth of the franchising industry (2009).

●Dallas Business Journal named her a top Women Industry Leader in the Dallas Metroplex (2010).

●Catherine appeared on the Emmy Award-winning series Undercover Boss to learn new ways to advance the FASTSIGNS® brand (2012).

●Named “Innovator and Influencer” by Sign and Digital Graphics Magazine (2013).

●Received the IFA’s first Franchise Action Network “FAN of the Year” award for her advocacy work on behalf of the franchising community (2015).

●Selected as Soderstrom Society Inductee for her contributions to the printing and graphic communications industry (2016).

●2016 Leadership Award from the Women That Soar organization.

●Under Catherine’s leadership, FASTSIGNS International, Inc. received the 2016 Secretary of Defense Employer Support Freedom Award, the highest recognition presented by the Department of Defense to employers for their exemplary support of National Guard and Reserve members.

●Distinguished Women Award – Northwood University (2017).

●Ambassador of Free Enterprise Award by Sales and Marketing Executives International (SMEI)(2018).

●Most Admired CEO Award by the Dallas Business Journal (2019).

●Named to Franchise Dictionary Magazine’s 50 Women of Wonder (WoW) 2020 List.

Catherine has served on the Board of Directors of the IFA since 2008 and entered her second year as Chair of the IFA in February 2021.

Additionally, she serves on the Board of Directors of Brain Balance, a franchise company with a non-drug alternative for children with behavioral challenges, and on the Board of Directors of the franchisor Big Blue Swim School, one of the nation’s fastest growing swim schools.

She is a keynote speaker at many franchise industry events, as well as at many sign and visual graphics industry events.

In 2019 at age 31, Lacy Altenhofen, opened her first Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids franchise in Odessa, Texas. She might just be one of the youngest franchisees in the world. Certainly one of the youngest women. Soon Lacy will be a multi-unit franchisee when her second Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids location opens in Midland, Texas the first quarter of 2022.

She joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Lacy is a competitive, strong-willed, energetic woman of faith. She is a wife, mother of two small children, business owner and sales rep for Zerox agency Total Office Solution.

Listen in as she shares her story, her priorities, her passion and her purpose.

Meet Lacy Altenhofen

My name is Lacy Altenhofen. I am 33 years old and was born and raised in Midland, Texas, which is where my family and I still reside today. I have been married to my husband, Adam, for a little over 7 years and I am a mother to our two children, Easton (5) and Harper (3). My family is the light of my life and the inspiration behind every decision I make.

I graduated from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing in 2010. I was an insurance agent in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for a year after graduation until I decided I wanted to migrate back to West Texas to be close to family. I currently work as a sales rep for the Xerox agency, Total Office Solution and I just recently celebrated my 10-year work anniversary with them in July.

At the beginning of 2019, I began to put the wheels in motion toward a lifelong dream of mine: owning a franchise. I started doing research on different industries and franchises to see what was available and what I thought would be the best fit for my family and I. Originally, I intended on putting together a“5-year plan,” but that very quickly turned into a “1-year plan.” I found Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids and instantly fell in love. At that time, I was not familiar with the brand, but it became very apparent to me that Scott Sharkey’s vision was far  above anything else I had seen. The concept spoke deeply to me as a Mom myself as I had struggled to find a fun, kid-centered place for my kids to get their haircut in town. In addition, the semi-passive business model meant that I could continue in my sale’s career as well. All of the stars seemed to align and led my husband and I to ultimately make the decision to dive in headfirst. Our first Sharkey’s Cuts for Kids opened in November 2019 in Odessa, Texas. Our second store, which will be located in Midland, Texas, is currently in the pre-construction phase with a tentative grand opening in the first quarter of 2022. It has been truly wonderful to see this dream of mine come to fruition. I have learned so much in the last two years and will continue to adapt and grow along with my business in the years to come.

My personality type is energetic, positive, and driven. I am constantly running at a million miles a minute to give my all to all 4 of my jobs: Wife, Mother, business owner, and sales rep. I am a woman of faith and I have an extremely grateful heart for all that God has provided for me and my family. I am equally grateful for the support I receive from my family to chase my dreams and for the upbringing I received that I credit for learning the value of a dollar and the meaning of hard work. I was not born into a wealthy family, but rather taught the values of hard work from a very young age. I was raised “old school” and have always worked hard for all I have, in both business and family. I really believe that if you dream it, you can achieve it and I’m excited to see where this life will take me.

Emily Price, COO of the British Franchise Association joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Emily was raised by a father with big bodacious goals and a mother who believed in him. Together they taught Emily to think big, ignore the naysayers and move forward towards her goals with vim, vigor and tenacity.

Listen to Emily’s story of how she went from shying away from the limelight to shining a light (good, bad and ugly) on an industry ripe for change.

Emily along with her CEO and team at the British Franchise Association have set out to modernize franchising through operational frameworks, leadership, resources and people development. The goal? To become a franchisor, franchisee and franchise supplier’s trusted partner in this ever evolving world of franchising.

Meet Emily Price

Emily Price built her corporate career working alongside the Senior Leadership Team in Human Resources at Barclaycard on global business transformation projects before joining the British Franchise Association in 2013.   

Emily is responsible for the operational activities at the British Franchise Association. She works closely with colleagues from across the franchising industry to deliver high quality, industry changing initiatives that positively impact the sector.   

She is a passionate advocate of great leadership, people development and franchising, which serves her well in driving the strategic agenda for the association alongside the CEO.   

Emily’s main focus currently is the operational framework of the association with the BFA team to enable a more diverse and forward thinking supportive organization with the main objective to become everyone’s trusted partner in franchising.  

More about Emily Price  

More about the British Franchise Association 

Tania Sterl, founder of Sterl on Style, is a Personal Stylist and Fashion Expert joins Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa on this episode of The Franchise Woman podcast Where Passion & Purpose Collide.  

Like so many success stories Tania’s starts from humble beginnings. As a young artistically inclined girl she listened and moved to the beat of another drum. In a world that suggested she should conform Tania found it more fulfilling to go against the grain. So off to New York City she goes to take the fashion world by storm as a model, designer and stylist. Tania is on a mission to enhance the image and elevate the influence of professional women through personal style and personal branding. Listen in as she offers some great insights and tips.  

Meet Tania Sterl 

Tania Sterl, founder of Sterl on Style, is a Personal Stylist, Fashion Expert, Speaker and published co-author. As a former fashion designer whose designs were worn by TV personalities like Deborah Norville of Inside Edition, the Fox News Team, and TV shows like What Not to Wear, her designs were also featured in magazines from Marie Claire to Essence, showing individuals how to showcase themselves with style.  

Now a New York City-based style strategist, Tania styles industry leaders, executives, speakers and authors for TV, photoshoots, TedX Talks, interviews and more showing professionals how to enhance their image to elevate their influence in tune with their current role and future goals, to be perceived as the thought leaders and experts they truly are. 

Learn more about Tania Sterl 

Learn more about Sterl on Style 

Debra Vilchis, Chief Operating Officer, Fishman Public Relations  

Debra has 20+ years’ experience in franchise public relations/content marketing. As COO of Fishman Public Relations, Debra manages client relations, develops new client services offerings, and builds operational systems and best practices to keep the agency on top of its game in the franchise industry.   

Debra also conducts media training workshops and serves as the agency’s lead crisis communications expert. Debra’s main emphasis is on outcomes – ensuring the agency’s franchise client campaigns generate franchisee and customer leads.   

A former journalist, Debra covered the Illinois legislature for the Associated Press, was a municipal and business reporter for The Daily Herald Chicagoland newspaper, and served in editorial positions with the American Academy of Pediatrics and the National Safety Council.   

Debra serves on the IFA Women’s Franchise Committee, the IFA Annual Leadership Conference Task Force and on the Board of Directors for Worldcom Public Relations Group.  

Learn more about Fishman PR  

Learn more about Debra Vilchis  

See Fishman PR’s Eye Lab Halloween Skit 

Melinda Emerson helps Fortune 500 Companies effectively target and retain small business customers. As CEO of Quintessence Group, Melinda Emerson “SmallBizLady“, is an expert on small business from three perspectives:

• Advising Small Businesses through the crucial developmental stages.
• Advising Fortune 500 companies how to market to small businesses.
• Helping Small Businesses and Fortune 500 customers use digital marketing effectively.

Ms. Emerson has advised companies such as Pitney Bowes, VISA, FedEx, Verizon, Xerox, The Hartford, American Express, and Sam’s Club on how to construct media, social media and marketing strategies to increase customer growth in the small business market.

She draws on her 20+ years of combined front-line and executive management in business and entrepreneurial situations. She shares her small business insights and knowledge through many media, including her blog “succeedasyourownboss.com.” Her content is widely read reaching over 3 million readers each week. She is also a former columnist for the New York Times. Her articles are featured in many publications such as Entrepreneur, Smallbiztrends.com, Black Enterprise and Essence. She is frequently tapped to speak about small business issues on media such as Fox News, CNBC, MSNBC, NBC Nightly News, and in the Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Fortune and Inc. Magazines, Forbes Magazine named the #1 Woman for Entrepreneurs to follow on Twitter.

She is an author and speaker whose expertise includes small business start-up, sales development and social media marketing. She is the national bestselling author of “Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works,” 2nd edition, the E-book, “How to Become a Social Media Ninja” and her latest Fix Your Business, a 90-day strategy to get back your life and reduce chaos in your business. She regularly delivers keynotes to entrepreneurs and corporations who target small businesses. 

Learn more about Melinda Emerson on the Succeed as Your Own Boss website.   

Chelsea Penzone joined Strategic Franchising as Vice President of Brand Management and is responsible for driving lead generation for franchise development.  

Chelsea brings twenty years of strategic marketing and brand development experience to her role supporting all five Strategic Franchising brands including: Caring Transitions, Fresh Coat Painters, The Growth Coach, Pet Wants and TruBlue Total House Care. 

Chelsea has been involved in franchising for almost ten years with both legacy brands such as Stanley Steemer as well as emerging brands. She has successfully led national, regional and local marketing strategies across all marketing channels.  

Chelsea leverages her deep understanding of consumer behavior to build lead generation strategies that attract the right talent for each brand to ensure the success of the franchise partners.  

Linkedin.com profile for Chelsea Penzone 

Teresa Wade is an accomplished singer-songwriter turned award-winning sustainability advocate and business advisor. As an entrepreneur, songbird, and solution finder, she has created meaningful success in the golf, franchise, nonprofit, sustainability, and music industries. And it’s not hyperbole that she’s received international recognition for it. Teresa has been described as a talented, tenacious, and a magnanimous woman who says that the secret to her plethora of triumphs is to know the joy of doing what you love. 

What she loves is entrepreneurship; and it all started with chickens. Teresa’s childhood home in the granite quarry town of Stone Mountain, GA was situated on five acres of family land. It was sort of a “Little House on the Prairie”, with cows, horses, dogs, cats, goats, chickens and more. Teresa fondly remembers the scent of gardenias and humid summer air, and the sparkle of fireflies at dusk. With the wind blowing in her hair, she would gallop on horseback across her own “prairie”, and dream about how she would someday make her mark on the world. In revisiting those memories, she now says, “it was pure bliss then, as it is now to let my imagination lead the way for dream living.” 

Teresa’s parents were savvy, self-educated business persons. They wanted her to learn about entrepreneurship at an early age, on their little farm, complete with chicken coop, built by her dad. Her mom helped Teresa broker her first deals to sell the chicken’s eggs to a few neighbors and friends in her church. Teresa collected and delivered eggs weekly. They went to the bank together and opened an account for the “egg money”. It was the start of Teresa’s college fund and her life as a business person.  

Learn more about Teresa here: https://teresawade.com/bio