Gilbert Saguid and Hector Cabrera – Veterans in Franchising

Fascinating conversation with military veterans Gilbert Saguid and Hector Cabrera on The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide. You’ll want to listen in to this special veterans segment. Here’s a bit more about our guests:

Gilbert Saguid, founder of Veterans Franchise Group (VFG) Leadership Studies PhD student at University of San Diego, graduate of University of Southern California’s Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program and prior commissioned Navy Surface Warfare Officer. Veterans Franchise Group (VFG) educates, empowers, and connects entrepreneurial minded veterans with franchise business opportunities.

Hector Cabrera is the Co-Founder of Troy CrossFit, Founder of Faith Strong Inc., founder of MaidPro San Diego, a former U.S. Border Patrol Agent, a U.S. Air Force Veteran, and current active reservist. As a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California, Hector’s dissertations research focus is on the root cause for the underrepresentation of Latinx Community members in entrepreneurship.

Meet Gilbert Saguid and Hector Cabrera

Gilbert Saguid is a Franchise Broker and the founder of Veterans Franchise Group (VFG) where he educates, empowers, and connects entrepreneurial minded veterans with franchise business opportunities.

Prior to Veterans Franchise Group, he founded a technical recruiting company and worked in the technical services industry as a sales rep, recruiter, service manager, and field engineer.

Gilbert is a current Leadership Studies PhD student at University of San Diego, a graduate of University of Southern California’s Master of Business for Veterans (MBV) program, and is a prior commissioned Navy Surface Warfare Officer and enlisted submarine nuclear mechanic.  

Connect with Gilbert Saguid

As a Senior Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force, Hector is the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of the March Air Force Base Combat Arms Section. Hector conducted three tours in Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

As a Business Developer for Smiths Detection, Hector is innovating current detection technology designed for the DoD and the Aviation Sector into the urban security sector to prevent catastrophic events from occurring.

As a doctoral candidate at the University of Southern California, Hector’s dissertations research focus is on the root cause for the underrepresentation of Latinx Community members in entrepreneurship.

Connect with Hector Cabrera

Amy Reed And Michelle Novy – Where Passion and Purpose Collide

Amy Reed and Michelle Novy of Woofie’s have a great team of women running their corporate office. They tell us how they built that team and discuss their core values and culture. It is clear they have a passion for what they do. They are unique in having every member of their team vested in the business. Tune in to learn how they do it!

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Meet Amy Reed

Amy Reed is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and prior to Woofie’s, her background included over a decade of experience in sales, marketing and training in technology and telecom companies.

After working in Silicon Valley during the dot.com days, Amy took a leap of faith to leave the corporate world, pursue her passion for working with pets, and start a pet care business with her neighbor, Leslie Barron. Recognizing a need for reliable pet care in their own neighborhood sparked the idea of launching Woofie’s in Ashburn, VA in 2004.

What started off as a $10 dog walk on day one, Woofie’s evolved into an award-winning, technology-driven, multi-million dollar pet services company. Woofie’s offers a variety of services, including pet sitting, in-home overnight care, midday dog walking, mobile pet spa grooming, pet taxi service and Pet CPR/First Aid certifications.

Amy created Woofie’s Pet Ventures, LLC in 2018 and spearheaded the company’s expansion efforts into franchising. In 2019, Woofie’s awarded three franchises in the Northern Virginia areas of Reston-Herndon, Leesburg and South Riding-Aldie. Woofie’s Academy, their in-house professional grooming school, was launched in 2019 and provides a pool of talented groomers for their franchisees as well as their corporate location in Ashburn.

With Covid-19, Woofie’s proved to be an essential service that is pandemic and recession-resistant and was able to pivot into new lines of services including contact-free curbside grooming services and concierge services. Woofie’s has been recognized locally, regionally and nationally by multiple publications for their innovation, customer service and unwavering commitment to the professional care of animals.

Meet Michele Novy

As the newest member of the Woofie’s “pack”, Michele Novy has been Director of Marketing at Woofie’s for one year. A devoted animal lover herself, Michele has one dog (a 15-year-old Pomeranian-Poodle named Napolean) and three cats (Jacques, Hazel, and Flash). Michele has also been a foster mom to both dogs and cats throughout the years and was involved with rescue organizations such as the Montgomery County (MD) Humane Society, as well as Lucky Dog Rescue, and most recently, Friends of Homeless Animals (FOHA).

A graduate of the University of Maryland College of Journalism, Michele spent many of her post graduate years working in the field of radio and television news for outlets such as ABC radio and FOX News Channel. Prior to joining Woofie’s, Michele worked in private schools, filling many roles from preschool teacher, to Regional Admissions Director, and finally East Coast Outreach Manager.

As a loyal Woofie’s client for the past 6 years, Michele knew she had an amazing opportunity on her hands when a spot opened on the Woofie’s team. To be able to combine her passion for pets along with her marketing skills was a dream come true.

When she isn’t working on events, social media, and communications for Woofie’s, Michele enjoys teaching yoga, cooking, going for hikes, and spending time with her friends and family.

Patty “Effing” Clisham – Where Passion and Purpose Collide

This is Patty “effing” Clisham! Her exuberance and relatability are inspiring, and she has a lot of experience paving the way as a woman in a male-dominated industry. She tells us her dirty stories, talks leadership and makes us laugh. Tune in and tell us how you motivate yourself!

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Meet Patty Clisham

Ok, here’s a drive-thru version of how I got here. Or at least my kind of drive-thru! Use whatever you need, it’s hard to keep me from talking about my businesses. Can’t wait for this afternoon!

I have always kind of had non-normal jobs for a woman. Very first job at 16 I worked at a full-service gas station and pumped gas, checked the oil and washed the windows. I loved it! I also worked right next door at a restaurant as a waitress. That taught me the importance of time management and priorities. And also working with the public. That experience came in very handy later in life. I was a soils technician on the groundbreaking building of a General Motors plant here in Missouri, that was fun and educational. I took drafting at Tech School high school because my father would not sign the paperwork for me to be in the auto mechanics program. But having that experience got me a drafting job for Honeywell International where I learned anything and everything about building automation and temperature control.

Interesting, but I did not want to sit at a desk for the rest of my life. I went back to school so I could be a field service technician. Bingo! That was my calling. Troubleshooting electronics and making things work. Great career, but I still wanted more. I had difficulty getting promoted so I went to another company that appreciated my ability to be technical and also manage people. That was short-lived when that company was bought by Johnson Controls. So here I was back at another large male-dominated company and no chance at being promoted.

It was here that I decided that if I was going to work this hard, I wanted to work for myself. So I started looking at owning a franchise. I found DUCTZ! There was not one in my area so I saw an opportunity to use my background in building operations and my desire to control my own destiny to start my new career. I purchased the very first DUCTZ Franchise in St. Louis in 2007. No one had ever even heard of DUCTZ before then. We are practically a family name to many HVAC companies, mechanical contractors, general contractors, luxury home builders and the list goes on.

About 6 years ago, I had the opportunity to purchase a UPS Store Franchise as an investment for the future. I saw a great deal of potential in growing that store and I have had double-digit growth each year. The UPS Store is a completely different animal than the DUCTZ Franchise. One retail and one service-oriented. Different set of skills to manage each which is interesting.

Along the way, I have been involved in many industry organizations and networking opportunities to educate others about my businesses and connect people. I have lived in the St. Louis area all my life and have never met a stranger. My mother told me when I was very young that I would talk to anyone about anything… and she was right and I believe it has served me well.

Sounds crazy, but I couldn’t be happier! I work long, hard hours some weeks. But I’m working for me and holding myself accountable. Who knows where I’ll end up. I feel like I’m just getting warmed up!

Meg Roberts – Where Passion and Purpose Collide

Meg Roberts discusses leadership, communication and accountability. She uses themes to keep her team focused and motivated – this year, they ROAR! What are you doing to keep yourself going?

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Welcome Meg Roberts

Meg Roberts joined Franworth as an Operating Partner in 2018 where she serves as CEO and President of The Lash Lounge. Meg brings a proven track record of leadership, growth and marketing expertise to The Lash Lounge. She is most proud of her franchisee relationship skills and looks forward to building a system of success and satisfaction.

Meg began her career in franchising at Service Brands International where she served as the Vice President of Marketing overseeing both Molly Maid and Mr. Handyman where her primary focus was on national brand marketing and digital strategy. In 2012, Meg became the youngest President to lead the Molly Maid brand, a system of over 200 franchisees, where she built a team of Operations and Marketing experts to lead the brand into a new era of success.

Meg was named to Crain’s Detroit Magazine 40 under 40 and was featured in an episode of the A&E series “Be the Boss.” She serves on The Women’s Franchise Committee, the NextGen Committee and is part of the IFA Convention Planning team. Prior to entering the franchising industry Meg spent eight years in marketing and television advertising with BBDO Chicago.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan and a Master of Arts in Marketing Research from Michigan State University.

Laura Spaulding Where Passion and Purpose Collide

Laura Spaulding has an amazing story of grit, determination and resilience. Not only has she created a community in which she thrives, but she has also created one in which anyone can feel empowered to succeed. If you are feeling like the world has you down and out, this story will inspire you!

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Somia Farid Silber – Where Passion and Purpose Collide – Full Show

On this episode, Rebecca Monet and Elizabeth Denham talk to Somia Farid Silber of Edible Arrangements about what it’s like to be a young, female leader in a successful company. She tells us how has she helped Edible Arrangements adapt their digital and marketing strategy during COVID-19 and how they combat a lack of brand loyalty in today’s market.

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Where Passion and Purpose Collide – Susan Trumble

Sheri Granger and Susan Trumble are both Mr. Transmission franchisees. As women working in a male-dominated business, they tell us how they lead and how they have learned the business. Both able to adapt their career paths at different times in their lives, they can teach us a lot about going for it!

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Meet Susan Trumble, Owner, Mr. Transmission

Moran Family of Brands is excited to announce that Susan Trumble, owner of the Mr. Transmission/Milex store in Florence, KY is the winner of Mr. Transmission Franchisee of the Year. She has worked tirelessly to grow her store after she purchased it from her father, and she is proud to have earned this distinction from her peers. Her commitment to serving her customers and building a community within her co-branded Mr. Transmission and Milex store has brought her success and joy for many years. We found out her secrets to star-caliber performance, and we’re here to share them with you!

After graduating from high school, Susan became a flight attendant with U.S. Air. Her father had also been with U.S. Air as a pilot before becoming one of the first franchisees of Mr. Transmission. Susan began helping her father in 1992, in an arrangement that was meant to be temporary. However, she took to the business and the customer service like a duck to water and soon became a permanent fixture at the store. When her father wanted to take less of a hands-on role in the business, it made sense to allow Susan to buy the business from him.

When Susan took over the business from her father in April of 1993, people in the area began to doubt how long the business would last under her leadership. Their skepticism about her abilities only served to light a fire under her, and the business is still thriving almost two and a half decades later. From the very beginning, Susan’s focus was on creating a place in her community that people could rely on. Mr. Transmission often sees customers when they’re feeling frustrated, helpless and confused, and the last thing they want to worry about is poor service or exploitative technicians. Susan learned quickly to strike a balance between compassion and honesty that consistently earns her rave reviews and business referrals. Susan loves the ability to be someone’s saving grace in the middle of an automotive crisis, especially for women who may enter an automotive shop feeling intimidated due to a lack of knowledge about cars.

Susan has far exceeded customer expectations to build a business that serves others in need of service to their cars. The people who visit her co-branded Mr. Transmission and Milex Complete Auto Care shop know they can count on getting the best from Susan and her staff. She recalls a time she drove overnight to pick up a customer whose car broke down and how thankful the woman was that she had someone on her side. This is the kind of above-and-beyond service that has shot her to the top this year.

“I think it is important to show people compassion in their time of need,” said Susan, who believes she learned that from her time as a flight attendant. “Nobody is prepared to spend hundreds of dollars on emergency car repairs. I just try to reassure them that this is just a vehicle, and I will help them get through this.”

Susan’s advice for franchisees and potential entrepreneurs alike is to invest in your community. This doesn’t just refer to your customers, but also to your employees. For example, two of her technicians have been with her business for over 20 years. This is a significant investment of time, and clearly, they’ve been happy enough to stay throughout the many changes in the industry during the past two decades. Susan has said they often spend evenings just talking in the shop after the day’s work has finished, which she knows is unique. She also recommends that business owners lose any fear, and reach out for help at every opportunity.

“Prospective franchisees should know there is a lot of support and assistance they can receive from the home office to help them run their business. People just need to know it is there and reach out for help if needed.”

No one can say Susan hasn’t worked hard to earn this accolade, so we want to extend some hearty congratulations her way! Join us in celebrating her win of Mr. Transmission Franchisee of the Year. If franchising with Moran Family of Brands sounds like a winning proposition to you, visit our franchise page and get in touch!

Where Passion and Purpose Collide – Sheri Granger

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Meet Sheri Granger, Mr. Transmission Owner

I was born 2/2/1968 in Chicago IL and raised there with my mom, dad and little sister. I went to Columbia College in Chicago for sound engineering and worked at a few recording studios in Chicago. I moved to Melbourne Fl. when I was 26 and got into the medical field doing office work. I lived there for 15 years and had a son, Eric. I moved back to Chicago so Eric could be raised around family. That’s when I met Bill, my husband. He adopted Eric and we got married in Vegas. One year we took a trip to Florida and I told Bill I would like to move back to Florida one day. He left his great paying job at BP as an oil operator so we could move to Bradenton Fl. By this time I had been working in the medical field for 25 years doing everything from medical assistant, scheduling, billing, payments and coding. Bill asked if I wanted to open up a franchise. Bill did not like his job here much because he was on call 24/7. If he wanted to take a day off they had to fly someone in to cover him. We looked at gyms, coffee shops, garage door repair and auto repair. Being that Bill was a master technician for 20 years when he lived in New York and Indian I always felt comfortable with the auto industry. I liked the idea that he would know what the technicians were talking about. I also felt like the auto industry is more secure than a gym or other industries being that people always need their cars to work. We looked at Aamco, Midis, Maco and Moran. Bill told me after the first phone call with Ben at Moran I was going to want to go with them because their corporate office was right down the street from my family and friends’ houses. That was a plus for me but not why we chose Moran. We liked that they were not as big as Aamco or the other franchises. The others gave me the impression that once they got you to sign with them you were on your own. Moran was not like that. After a year of looking at buildings to purchase we purchased an existing tire shop. The first 2 months were a mess, trying to get set up with vendors, computers and employees was a lot. We have now been open over a year and I feel like I have more of an understanding and have our flow down. Now it is fun coming to the shop every day and working by my husband’s side is the best!

Where Passion and Purpose Collide – Heather Hudson

On this episode, Elizabeth and Rebecca speak to Heather Hudson of 9Round Fitness. As an advocate for mental health, she believes in the mind/body connection for overall health and wellness. She also talks about staying in her own lane working with her husband, how his reading habit makes him more attractive and how they instill the desire for continual self-improvement in their kids.

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Meet Heather Hudson, COO and Co-Founder, 9Round

Heather Hudson, COO and Co-Founder of 9Round, has been with the brand since its founding in 2008. She is a mom of two, black belt holder and fitness competitor. Heather grew up with a passion for fitness and overall wellness, but after having two children, she found herself needing more results out of her exercise program, which she discovered through kickboxing. Heather is a huge advocate for women in fitness, and through 9Round, she has been able to take her passion for fitness and support women every day across the brand’s 800 locations around the world. Heather‘s passion is now helping others realize that their fitness goals are never too high, and since opening the first 9Round studio in 2008, membership has grown to more than 70% women.

Heather‘s fondness for helping others doesn’t stop in the gym. She is also extremely dedicated to helping the 9Round franchisees reach their financial goals. Heather supports the franchising company with a strong focus on communications to owners, marketing, and the development of scalable systems for the 9Round owners. She sets high standards for herself and the 9Round company, and she offers support to the franchisees at every level.

Social Links:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather–hudson-95a23874/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HeatherLoveHudson/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heather_hudson/

Where Passion and Purpose Collide – Margaret Maclay

On today’s episode, we interview Margaret Maclay of FocalPoint Business Coaching. She discusses her path to success and how to promote leadership and accountability in business. On Women in the Know, Rebecca and Elizabeth offer best techniques to keep people accountable. On Ask Beck and Liz, we answer the question, “Why do people not to what they are supposed to do?” We would love to hear your feedback in the comments!

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Meet Margaret Maclay, Director, FocalPoint Assessment Center

Margaret Maclay has been a professional business coach and trainer for more than12 years. She has worked with business owners, leaders and teams world-wide, in areas of communication, talent management, process improvement, customer service and strategic planning, to achieve peak performance. Additionally, she holds positions in the FocalPoint organization as the Director of Onboarding, Certification and Support, Director of the Assessment Center, Certification Trainer and Coach Practice Mentor. Maclay has served on a variety of local Advisory Boards for profit and non-profit organizations, mentors high school students and is a sought after keynote speaker. The ability to assist her clients and organizations to identify faster, smarter, better ways of doing things has resulted in numerous related awards and special recognitions, including FocalPoint’s Campbell Fraser award for Coaching Excellence. Prior to joining the FocalPoint Team, Maclay spent 25 years in the Apparel Industry and held a variety of global leadership positions.