Free Agent with Meg Schmitz

Money is changing—and women are at the center of it. In this episode, Barbara Provost joins Meg to unpack the Great Wealth Transfer and what it means for how women think about income, control, and long-term security in today's economy. If you're reconsidering how your current path fits into that shift, this conversation will help you see your options more clearly.  

Mike DeJong did everything the traditional path told him to do—work hard, stay loyal, keep climbing. But when the payoff no longer matched the effort, he started asking a better question: what if ownership is the smarter move? In this episode, Mike shares what pushed him to rethink security, how he researched franchising, and what professionals need to see before making their next move.

Most businesses spend years chasing customers. Catherine Wilson built one where demand kept rising, forcing her to solve a rarer problem—how to grow capacity without breaking the business. In this episode of Free Agent Podcast, she shares what made her company attractive to buyers, why she chose to work with a business broker instead of handling the sale alone, and what owners often miss when it's time to exit.

A lot of smart people are quietly wondering if the version of security they trusted still works. In this conversation, Camille Hamilton reflects on leaving corporate life, building something of her own, and how freedom often comes with stress, responsibility, and rewards no paycheck can replicate. If you've been feeling the tension between staying where you are and becoming who you're meant to be, this one will feel familiar.

You don't get the luxury of guessing when the stakes are this high. My conversation with Leah Rosen pulls back the curtain on what it really looks like to reinvent yourself mid-career, when income, identity, and responsibility are all on the line. If you've been waiting for certainty before making a move, this will challenge you to rethink what "safe" actually means.

You're not stuck—you're standing on the edge, waiting to feel certain before you step in. In this conversation with Chad Coe, Meg exposes the quiet habit high performers fall into: trying to think their way into clarity instead of getting close enough to see what's real. If you've been circling the decision but not moving, this will show you what's actually holding you back and why the next move isn't more research; it's engagement.

You don't need more experience. You need a smarter way to move. This episode breaks down why seasoned professionals still struggle when they ignore the system and how franchising removes the guesswork. If you're weighing your next move, this will challenge what you think you need before you start.

Kendall made the leap to freedom 2 years ago, not knowing exactly how it would unfold. At the time, her career was getting in the way of the life she wanted at home, and something had to change. Kendall updates us on what it really takes to build a life that feels like your own.

Some people chase entrepreneurship. Others arrive there after seeing how the system really works. Jonathan Chizever spent years in commission sales watching rules change, income swing, and control stay in someone else's hands until the risk of staying put finally stopped making sense. In this conversation, he shares the moment the math flipped, why franchising became the smarter path, and how he and his partner are building a business that helps people take control of their health and their future.

If "safe" has started to feel risky, you are not imagining things. In this episode, Meg talks with Shahayra Majumder, a first-time franchise owner bringing Hydrate IV Bar to Madison, WI, about what it looks like to leave a paycheck because it no longer buys peace. They get real about the shift from high performer to owner, the imposter thoughts nobody admits, and why a proven system can be the smartest way to bet on yourself. This is for the person who keeps saying "I'm fine" while quietly asking, "What's next?"

Something feels off in leadership right now, and most people can sense it even if they can't name it. Leadership is being quietly redefined. In this episode, Meg sits down with Tim Spiker to unpack why trust begins with who you are not what you do, how insecure leadership creates real damage, and why inwardly sound, others-focused leaders consistently outperform. If you're questioning whom to follow, how to lead, or what kind of future you want to build, this conversation will help you think more clearly before you move.

Most career wake-up calls don't come from failure. They come when everything still looks good on paper, but your body, values, or sense of control start asking harder questions. In this episode of the Free Agent Podcast, Meg Schmitz and Dawn Mullarney talk about the moment experienced executives and fractional professionals reach when staying put feels riskier than moving, yet the next step has to be thoughtful, aligned, and sustainable.  

Most leaders think risk is financial, until one bad hire starts running the business from the shadows. Erin Longmoon shares how her own run of toxic workplaces shaped her mission to eradicate them, and how Zephyr Connects vets people for character, coachability, and culture fit, not just a good resume. If you're hiring staff or considering ownership, this episode helps you spot cultural red flags before you commit.

When income becomes less predictable, experienced leaders begin asking different questions about stability and control. In this episode, Meg Schmitz talks with business owner Samuel Espindola about what it really takes to build predictable revenue when responsibility for your family's future is on the line. This conversation is for seasoned professionals weighing ownership carefully—and looking for a path that holds up in uncertain times.

In Part 2 of Meg's conversation with Melinda Emerson, the focus shifts from why to who you become after you buy a business. They talk candidly about the identity corporate life creates — titles, distance from the work, and the quiet arrogance that can follow you into ownership. Melinda explains why real owners roll up their sleeves, switch roles without ego, and do whatever the business needs that day. This episode is about humility, responsibility, and the mindset that separates operators from spectators.

When the call is clear but the path feels messy, most people mistake discomfort for a stop sign. In this episode, Meg sits down with Melinda Emerson (SmallBizLady) to explore what happens after momentary ambition fades—when faith, fear, and real-world pressure collide. Melinda shares how losing control of her business, her marriage, and her certainty became the proving ground for her purpose. Together, they unpack why buying a proven business or franchise can offer more stability than chasing another job, what it truly means to think like an owner, and why real freedom requires discipline—not shortcuts. If you know you're meant for more but feel stuck in the middle, this conversation offers clarity, courage, and a grounded way forward.

In this episode, Bill shares how he went from SEAL training to buying a 65-year-old manufacturing company, navigating turnover, building a high-performance team, and using automation to help people earn more—not get replaced. He also opens up about stepping into (and back out of) politics, and why lifelong "forward-skilling" matters as industries shift fast. If you're over corporate, craving mission, or wondering if ownership—especially franchising—could be your next move, this conversation gives you a clear, hope-filled way forward.  

Fatima didn't leave social work because she stopped caring. She left because the cost of caring became too high. After years of holding other people's trauma, her own body and spirit demanded a new kind of life. In this powerful conversation, Fatima shares how she transformed burnout into a career rooted in healing, inclusivity, and conscious touch. Her journey offers a blueprint for anyone navigating the pressure-filled transitions so many Americans are facing today — career uncertainty, financial stress, identity shifts, and the ache for something steadier.

Matasha didn't fast-track her way into entrepreneurship — she played the long game, rebuilding her skills and timing her move while carrying the full weight of being the only income. Her story is one of patience and calculation, proof that steady planning can matter just as much as the dream itself. For anyone wondering how to start something with the skills they already have and almost no extra resources, this episode shows one of the many real paths forward.

Government shutdowns? Market shake-ups? Forget the panic. Meg and Chari talk about the real flex: letting go of what doesn't serve you. Because freedom doesn't come from adding more; it starts when you finally subtract.

When the paycheck ends, the real work begins. Nail artist, Thasia Williams, shares what it really feels like to bet on yourself when the safety net disappears. From crying through uncertainty to finding purpose in creativity, she and Meg unpack what it means to lead yourself when no one's watching. This episode flips the fear of losing security into the truth about ownership — it's not the paycheck that defines you, it's the power to keep going anyway.

She's not waiting for permission — she's building her own stage. Instead of chasing overnight success—Josalyn's chasing proof that betting on herself is worth it. This episode is for every high achiever who's tired of talking about freedom and finally ready to get their hands dirty.

In this milestone episode, we celebrate one year of IMAGE Studios Wauwatosa—a hub where beauty, wellness, and entrepreneurship collide. 🥳 But this isn't just about a grand opening. It's a spotlight on what happens when bold vision meets real opportunity. Makayla, a first-time entrepreneur, shares her leap from stylist to studio owner—navigating the fears, the wins, and the freedom that comes with building something of her own. Standing right beside her is Meg Schmitz, who isn't just coaching others into franchise ownership—she's in the arena herself, leveraging her own franchise to mentor and uplift new entrepreneurs like Makayla. This episode is a reminder: entrepreneurship isn't meant to be a solo act. It's a community-powered movement where smart structure and shared courage turn dreams into legacies.

When the system breaks you down, some people shrink. Others rise. Samantha is walking away from a healthcare career that's eating away at her time, her health, and her spirit. She's building Skinship Esthetic Spa inside IMAGE Studios Wauwatosa — creating a future where beauty professionals don't just survive... they own their freedom. This isn't a story about chasing money. It's about reclaiming time, rewriting the rules, and building a legacy that outlives the pain. This special episode highlights emerging entrepreneurs in the beauty and wellness industry to celebrate the grand opening of Meg's IMAGE Studios, Wauwatosa location.  

Behind the polished brand lives the mess—marriage stress, deal drama, and founders numbing instead of feeling. Meg and Jaime White strip away the armor to discuss "divorce version one," choosing each other again, and reordering their lives as: self → partnership → business. Trade optics for alignment and watch profit follow meaning—this episode is your mirror and your map.

Life doesn't wait for your business plan— and business doesn't stop for life.  In this episode, you'll hear Meg describe her upcoming surgeries, dealing with aging parents, and the biggest shock of putting her beloved young dog into hospice care.  Personal issues have collided with Meg's empire-building, and they are unavoidable. In this raw update, she reveals how personal storms mirror the chaos of scaling multiple franchises. The takeaway? Dream big, plan bigger, and keep moving forward—because this too shall pass.

In this episode, Meg Schmitz and PR legend Rhonda Sanderson cut through the hype and dig into the hard-earned lessons of business ownership and franchising. From Subway's scrappy beginnings to AI's looming future, they unpack how candor, care, and year-one grind transform shaky startups into resilient, saleable brands. If you're tired of recycled success clichés and ready for raw insight that actually moves the needle, this conversation is your wake-up call.

Is it smarter to buy a business with "instant" cash flow or build one from scratch? In this episode, Meg Schmitz and Josh Skolnick expose the brutal truth about control, risk, and what really drives long-term freedom. If you're wrestling with self-doubt and searching for the most reliable path to ownership, this conversation will flip the way you think about your next move.

Tired of making millions for someone else while your soul shrinks in a cubicle? Rob & Nick of REPM break down how top execs can flip their skills into franchise ownership — with real systems, real support, and real ROI. If you're ready to stop renting your talent and start owning equity, this is the episode that shows you the playbook.

Leaving corporate for business ownership is thrilling—and terrifying. Verdine Baker, a franchise executive who's guided hundreds of owners, shares what really happens when fear meets opportunity—and how resilience and culture create lasting success. With Meg Schmitz leading the conversation, senior executives will discover the playbook to step out confidently and build freedom on their own terms.

Anthony Geisler, the force behind scaling Club Pilates from 12 to 1,300 units and taking Xponential Fitness public with a multibillion-dollar valuation, is back with a new play: Sequel Brands. Alongside industry veteran Bob McQuillan, he's building a wellness platform featuring Pilates Addiction, iFlex Stretch Studios, Beem Light Sauna, and Body20. In this episode, they share how Sequel is engineered with infrastructure, profitability, and innovation from day one—and why they'll never let Wall Street distractions steer the ship again.

"Follow the playbook. Be your own boss. Live the dream." But what happens when the dream looks different from what you experience? In this candid conversation, Catherine Wilson shares the lessons, surprises, and wins from her franchise journey — and offers insights on navigating the gap between expectations and reality.

Andy Weins is back- and he's not just talking business, he's talking freedom. From franchise rookie to author and fractional CFO, Andy's journey is proof that you don't have to be "born" for entrepreneurship to master it—you build it, brick by brick, mindset by mindset. If you've ever wondered if you have what it takes to own your future, this episode will give you the raw truth and the blueprint.  

Everyone wants to go viral—but what happens next? In this episode, Meg and Thasia Williams unpack the reality behind viral moments, visibility, and the marketing moves that drive revenue. If you're a business owner, franchisee, or sales pro chasing attention, this convo will shift your focus from "likes" to lasting impact.

There's more to marketing than digital ads and social media. Meg and Karen Wenning unpack why marketing only works when it's integrated, intentional, and relentless—and how skipping steps like direct mail or brand strategy can stall your entire launch. If you want your franchise to thrive, not just survive, this episode will open your eyes.

Dan Schauer had a family business in his back pocket and startup dreams in his head—but when layoffs hit, he chose a franchise. In this episode, we dig into the real-life pivot that gave him freedom, legacy, and an exit strategy all in one. If you're stuck between building, inheriting, or buying in—this story will shake up how you see your options.

Think LinkedIn is just for job seekers? Think again. In this episode, Meg and Angela Dunz unpack why your profile may be silently sabotaging your credibility—and how small shifts can lead to big money moves.

You can build an empire and protect your marriage—if you know how to spot the landmines before they blow. In this follow-up to our most talked-about episodes featuring Ted Santos (Episode 7.4)and Karen Covy (Episode 5.2), we explore the silent tension that can kill business dreams and relationships alike. If you and your spouse are dreaming big but stuck in indecision, this convo is your blueprint to move forward together.

What makes an emerging brand worth betting on? In this episode, I sit down with franchise veteran Candice Weeter to discuss grit, growth, and how to identify genuine leadership behind the pitch. If you're serious about building wealth through franchising, this one's a must.

When chaos calls, most chase the money. John and Kami Griffith chose the mission. In this episode, Meg Schmitz sits down with the power couple who walked away from corporate burnout, turned a LinkedIn ad into a life-changing franchise investment, and built a business rooted in faith, family, and future-proof cash flow. If you're an exec craving more than paychecks and performance reviews, this one's for you.  

Most business owners think their company is worth more than it is. Most buyers waste time chasing the perfect deal. In this episode, Meg and business advisor, Mark Bailey, expose the hard truths about buying and selling businesses—and how tax strategy and mindset shifts separate the winners from the wishers. 

What do you get when you mix pest control, holiday lights, and big franchise energy? A boring business that's quietly building empires. In this episode, Meg sits down with Andy Fuller, founder of Pest Hunters, to unpack how one "unsexy" brand is helping franchisees create recurring revenue, generational wealth, and year-round impact.

In this mind-bending episode of Free Agent, Meg Schmitz sits down with leadership strategist Ted Santos to explore the hidden beliefs sabotaging our potential—and our portfolios. From unresolved childhood loops to unconscious limitations, Ted reveals how self-inquiry and intentional disruption are the real keys to personal growth and wealth creation. If you've been operating on autopilot, this is your wake-up call.

When the world hit pause, Joyce Toti built two empires—one in luxury wellness, the other in women's leadership. In this episode, she shares how she turned uncertainty into bold action and why branding, mentorship, and movement go hand-in-hand. If you're waiting to feel ready, Joyce's story will make you rethink everything.  

What do high-performing investors do when the market turns shaky? They double down on what works. In this episode, Meg Schmitz talks with JetSet Pilates head of development, Sara Buie and franchisees Andrea & Carlos Ponce about why luxury fitness is attracting serious capital—and how franchising can offer both freedom and security in uncertain times.

In this eye-opening episode of The Free Agent, Meg Schmitz talks with entrepreneur Ryan Martineau about how AI and job site technology are reshaping skilled labor, franchising, and business operations. With global job shortages, rising tariffs, and economic uncertainty shaking traditional industries, this conversation dives into how data and automation are creating faster, smarter, and more profitable ways to scale service-based businesses. If you're serious about diversifying your investments—or just curious about where the future of work is headed—you won't want to miss this.

In this episode, we hang out with Mark Schneider, a super chill construction boss who built his company from scratch—while raising five kids! He spills the real deal on what it takes to open up your own brick-and-mortar business, avoid major build-out mistakes, and still get home in time for dinner. If you're considering starting a franchise or building your dream spot, this one has gold nuggets you don't want to miss.

Amanda Gettes' journey into franchising is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of making strategic choices. In this episode of The Free Agent, she shares how leaving a structured career in education, launching a failed startup, and navigating personal challenges led her to franchising as a path to financial stability and personal freedom. From securing an SBA loan on her own to mastering the nuances of the window treatment business, Amanda's story highlights the grit required to build a business from the ground up—proving that success isn't just about the right opportunity but the determination to see it through.

In this episode of Free Agent with Meg Schmitz, chartered financial analyst Eric Schmitz CFA clears away the fear-driven headlines to uncover where bold investors are seizing opportunities in a shifting economy. From tariffs and immigration policies to inflation fears, Eric breaks down how these factors impact business ownership and why essential industries—like senior care, home services, wellness, and experiential retail—continue to thrive. If you're hesitant about making big investment moves, this episode will show you why times of uncertainty can create the best opportunities to step in, take control, and build lasting financial freedom.

From a single mom of four to franchise powerhouse, Heather McPherson's journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and business success. In this episode, Heather reveals how she went from the medical field to leading franchise development, the pivotal mentors who shaped her career, and the mindset shifts that propelled her forward. If you've ever wondered what it takes to break into franchising, find the right opportunities, and build a business that lasts, this episode is packed with insights you don't want to miss! --