Systems, Leadership & Grit: How Adam Contos Built and Backs Businesses

Welcome back to How I Franchised This — the show where we dive into the real stories behind franchise empires, told directly by the people who built them. Today’s guest is Adam Contos: former CEO of RE/MAX, Marine Corps veteran, SWAT commander turned business builder, and now co-founder of Area 15 Ventures. From undercover narcotics work to leading one of the world’s largest real estate franchises, Adam’s journey is anything but ordinary. But what ties it all together? Systems, leadership, and a relentless drive to grow businesses — and the people behind them. In this episode, we cover: What it means to “narc market” (yes, really) Why franchising is the ultimate community builder The mindset shifts every new franchisee must make How Adam is backing the next generation of operators with purpose and passion Whether you’re thinking about owning a business, scaling one, or just obsessed with how leaders think — this episode’s for you.