PODCAST · business
Powered by Franchising
by Laura Rolfe
Thinking about business ownership and wondering whether franchising could be the right path for you?Powered by Franchising helps aspiring business owners, career professionals, and investors understand how franchise ownership really works—so they can evaluate opportunities with greater clarity and confidence.Hosted by Laura Rolfe, founder and CEO of Mint Franchise Consultants and a Certified Advanced Franchise Consultant, the show goes beyond franchise sales pitches to explore the decisions, systems, people, and business models behind successful franchise ownership.Through candid conversations with franchise founders, executives, franchisees, lenders, advisors, and other industry experts; you’ll learn what to consider before investing, how to evaluate franchise fit, what strong franchise systems and support actually look like, and how experienced owners and operators approach growth.Episodes explore questions such as:• How do you know if franchise ownership is right for you?
Episodes
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How to Fund Your Franchise: SBA Loans, 401(k) Rollovers & More | Michele Simones (Audio)
Dreaming of owning a franchise but wondering how you'll pay for it? You may have more financing options than you realize! In this episode of Powered by Franchising, host Laura Rolfe welcomes Michele Simones of Guidant Financial to explore the different ways aspiring entrepreneurs can fund their...
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What If Moving Didn’t Have to Suck? How Pink Zebra Is Disrupting an Everyday Industry (Audio)
Moving is stressful. Moving companies aren’t exactly known for creating unforgettable customer experiences. Pink Zebra Moving wants to change that. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with David Luke of Pink Zebra Moving to explore how this bold brand is bringing...
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Thinking about owning a business next year? It’s not too early to start exploring your options. (Audio)
One of the biggest misconceptions about business ownership is how long the process actually takes. Starting from scratch means building everything—from your legal entity, branding and marketing to technology, operations, hiring and customer acquisition. Buying an existing business may sound…
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What If Your Corporate Experience Could Become Your Next Business? (Audio)
After spending 20 or 30 years building expertise, relationships, and credibility in an industry, what if you could turn all of that experience into a business of your own? On this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Jon Bartos, CEO of Dimensional Search, to explore an...
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Restoring More Than Property: Inside 911 Restoration with Jeff Yosha (Audio)
What does it take to build a business in an industry people often don’t think about until they desperately need it? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Jeff Yosha of 911 Restoration to explore the restoration industry and the business behind helping homeowners…
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Want to Own a Business? Start Before You’re Ready (Audio)
Thinking about owning a business “someday”? Someday may need to start sooner than you think. Starting a company from scratch can take a year. Finding the right existing business to acquire can take months—or even years. Evaluating a franchise may take 6–12 weeks, followed by financing, training,...
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Stop Following Your Passion: Choose the Right Business Model Instead (Audio)
Love the product. Buy the business? Not so fast. One of the biggest mistakes aspiring entrepreneurs make is assuming that a business they love as a customer will also be a business they’ll love owning. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe challenges the classic advice to...
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What Does Business Ownership Really Buy You? | Freedom, Flexibility & Building a Life You Love (Audio)
What does business ownership really buy you? We often measure success by revenue, profitability and ROI. But some of the most valuable returns don't show up on a P&L: time, freedom, flexibility and choices. After spending a week diving in the Sea of Cortez—swimming with whale sharks, dancing...
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From Sourdough to Success: Inside the Growth of Sourdough & Co. (Audio)
What does it take to turn great food into a growing franchise brand? 🥖 On this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe and Kate sit down with Julie Sailers, Franchise Developer for Sourdough & Co., to go behind the scenes of this fast-growing restaurant franchise. We talk about: 🥖 What...
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Discovery Day: The Most Important Day in Your Franchise Search (Audio)
You've reviewed the FDD. You've talked with franchisees. You've researched the business model, investment and territory. Now it's time to meet the people behind the brand. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I take you behind the scenes of franchise Discovery Day—one of the final and most...
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Inside Evive Brands: Building and Growing Home Service Franchises with Joel Lazarovitz (Audio)
What makes a franchise brand scalable—and what success looks like across the home services industry? On this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Joel Lazarovitz of Evive Brands, a growing family of seven franchise brands focused on home services. We talk about Joel’s journey in...
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The Question Every Future Franchise Owner Should Ask and Why Successful Franchisees Keep Buying More (Audio)
The most successful franchisees have a choice. They can stop after one business… yet many don’t. Why do they keep investing? What do they see that others miss? At a recent franchise conference, I heard from experienced franchisees—from first-time owners to multi-unit and multi-brand operators—to...
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"Repair, Don't Replace" to Building a National Franchise | Ty McBride, Founder of Preservan (Audio)
Not every entrepreneur sets out to build a franchise—but Ty McBride saw an opportunity to transform a specialized home service into a scalable national brand. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Ty shares the entrepreneurial journey behind Preservan, why "Repair, Don't Replace" is more…
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From Music Lessons to Business Success: Brian Gross on Building Bach to Rock Through Franchising (Audio)
What does it take to build a franchise that changes lives while creating rewarding business ownership opportunities? On this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Brian Gross, CEO of Bach to Rock, to discuss how the brand is redefining music education through an innovative...
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Building Home Service Giants: Scott Sutton on Empower Brands, Multi-Brand Franchising & the Future of Business Ownership (Audio)
What does it take to build one of the fastest-growing home services franchise platforms in North America? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Scott Sutton, Chief Development Officer at Empower Brands, to discuss the vision behind bringing industry-leading brands...
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🎙️ The Business of Wellness: Franchising Success with Hand & Stone's Kristie Kalinowski (Audio)
In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Kristie Kalinowski, VP of Development with Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa to explore one of the fastest-growing sectors in franchising: wellness. Kristie shares her journey in franchising, what makes the Hand & Stone the...
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More Than a Game: Aaron Locks on Leadership, Youth Sports, and Building a Franchise with Purpose (Audio)
Youth sports aren't just about scoring points—they're about building confidence, character, and future leaders. Join me as I welcome Aaron Locks, Founder & CEO of National Academy of Athletics, for a conversation about entrepreneurship, motivation, franchising, and the incredible impact sports…
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The Entrepreneur's Edge: Why Franchising Wins — with John Flanders (Audio)
What does it take to truly understand franchising from every angle? John Flanders has lived it. He's started businesses from scratch, bought existing ones, franchised a concept, and now—as Founder & President of Karpata Franchise Group—he guides entrepreneurs through one of the most important...
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Spreading Shine: Building a Kids' Fitness Franchise with STARZ Program (Audio)
What does a t-ball game in 2004 have to do with a growing national franchise? Everything. On this episode of Powered by Franchising, we sit down with Sophia Wastler, Founder of The STARZ Program, and Allie Adamson, Franchise Developer, to talk about how a moment at the park — and one little boy's...
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Building a Legacy: David Moore on Leaving Corporate America After 29 Years for Gorilla Property Services (Audio)
After 29 years in the corporate world, my dear friend David Moore decided it was time to bet on himself — and build something that lasts for his family. 🦍 In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Dave opens up about the journey that led him to franchise ownership, why Gorilla Property Services...
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Buying a Business vs. Franchising: Why Serious Investors Are Switching Lanes (Audio)
If you've spent any time researching small business acquisition, you've heard the pitch: baby boomers are retiring, they're selling their businesses for pennies on the dollar, and laundromats and car washes are the new path to financial freedom. Codie Sanchez built a media empire on this thesis....
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The "Beautifully Un-Sexy" Franchise Hiding Inside a Trillion-Dollar Industry — with Vicktoria Healy of SUPPLY POINTe (Audio)
Most franchise candidates walk right past one of the most resilient, recurring-revenue business models in the industry — and that's exactly the problem Vicktoria Healy is here to solve. In this episode, Laura sits down with Vicktoria Healy, VP of Franchise Development at SUPPLY POINTe, to talk...
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Why I Built a Better Way to Start the Conversation — The Mint Fit™ Score (Audio)
Not every candidate is in the same place when they start exploring business ownership — so why do most consultants treat them like they are? In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on the Mint Fit™ score, an evaluation I built inside my practice to understand where someone actually is…
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Your W-2 Can't Do This: Tax Advantages of Owning a Business (Audio)
There's a reason business owners think about taxes differently — and it's not because they have a better CPA. In this episode, Laura from Mint Franchise Consultants breaks down the tax advantages of business ownership, including Section 179 deductions (up to $2.56M in 2026!), bonus depreciation,...
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From Red Rock to the High Seas: Awesome Brands, Big Takeaways & the B2B Advantage (Audio)
What happens when a franchise consultant spends a week at two industry events back to back? A whole lot of insight — and one very full notebook. In this solo episode, I'm sharing what I discovered at the Red Rock Franchise Development Group and the FranShip Cruise, where I connected with 32+…
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Why So Many Professionals Turn to Franchising (Freedom, Wealth & Career Reinvention) (Audio)
Why do so many professionals choose franchising instead of starting a business from scratch? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe explores the real reasons people step into franchise ownership — and why many of them never originally planned to become entrepreneurs. After working...
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The Business of Wellness: How Prime IV Hydration & Wellness Is Transforming Preventative Health (Audio)
What if building a successful business also meant helping people feel their best every day? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe sits down with Dana Kupper, multi-unit franchisee with Prime IV Hydration to explore the rapidly growing world of IV hydration and wellness. As...
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My Top Franchise Brands Right Now — Trends Smart Entrepreneurs Should Watch (Audio)
In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe shares some of the franchise concepts she is most excited about today — and the trends driving their growth. While the right franchise always depends on the individual investor, Laura highlights several brands that represent major trends in...
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Scaling Lifestyle & Coffee Brands: Oakscale’s Growth Strategy with Anthony Spagnola | Powered by Franchising (Audio)
What does it really take to scale a franchise brand the right way? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Anthony Spagnola, Chief Development Officer at Oakscale Franchise Partners, to talk about the strategy behind building franchise brands that grow with intention—not just...
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Before You Sign the Franchise Agreement: Legal Insights with Kit Higgs (Audio)
Thinking about buying a franchise? Scaling into multi-unit ownership? Before you sign anything, listen to this episode. In this conversation, franchise attorney Kit Higgs of Kit Franchise Law breaks down: ✔️ What the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) really tells you — and real life examples ✔️...
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The Future of Retail Is Unattended: AI, Automation & SmartMarket Solutions with Rick Medina (Audio)
Retail is evolving — and AI is leading the charge. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Rick Medina of SmartMarket Solutions to talk about the rise of intelligent, AI-powered unattended retail. From automated smart stores to scalable semi-absentee models, Rick shares how...
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Culture Is the Growth Strategy: Building Purpose-Driven Franchises with Purpose Brands (Audio)
In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I’m joined by Brett Ganther and John Thuringer to unpack how Purpose Brands builds an environment where franchisees don’t just open locations—they grow, thrive, and feel supported. We dive into how Purpose Brands fosters a culture of leadership,...
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What I Wish Every Franchise Buyer Knew Before Their First Discovery Day (Audio)
Discovery Day is exciting—but it can also be overwhelming if you don’t know what to expect. In this insider episode, I share what most people aren’t told before attending their first Discovery Day—what it really is, how you’re being evaluated, what questions to ask, and what red flags to watch…
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Mission-Driven Franchising: How Heroes Lawn Care Wins with Service, Systems & Scale (Audio)
Franchising with purpose hits different. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Nikki Kimura, Director of Franchise Development for Heroes Lawn Care—a home services franchise built on military values, leadership, and execution. We unpack how Heroes Lawn Care has created a...
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Is Franchising Right for You? 5 Questions Every Smart Investor Should Ask First (Audio)
Before you ask what franchise to buy, there’s a more important question to answer: Is franchising right for you? In this episode, I walk through the five questions I ask every serious franchise candidate—before we ever talk about brands. These questions can save you time, money, and regret. This…
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You can do hard things - what a mountain hike taught me about franchising (Audio)
This weekend, I finally tackled a hike I’d been putting off for years—Picket Post Mountain. It was hard. It was steep. And it wasn’t nearly as impossible as I imagined. In this solo episode, I connect that experience—to franchising and business ownership. The truth is, most people don’t fail...
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Building Global Citizens Through Franchising: WorldKids School with Nicole Chaudry (Audio)
What if early childhood education could shape global citizens from the very beginning? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, host Laura Rolfe sits down with Nicole Chaudry, Founder and CEO of WorldKids School, to explore how language immersion, cultural awareness, and purpose-driven...
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Unpopular Truths About Franchising & The Questions Smart Owners Ask Before They Invest (Audio)
Thinking about franchising? This episode is your reality check. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, I cover: • Unpopular truths about franchise ownership • The smartest questions to ask during discovery • Rapid-fire franchise myths • Listener Q&A • How I decide if I’d invest in a...
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Blingle! Creating a Legacy Through Franchising: Leadership, Growth & Building Something That Lasts (Audio)
Legacy isn’t built overnight — it’s built intentionally. On this episode of Powered by Franchising, Kate and I sit down with Jessica Shipley, Director of Franchise Development for Blingle!, part of the HorsePower Brands family of brands. We talk about what it really means to create a legacy…
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Funding the Franchise Dream: What Buyers Need to Know Early and Often (Audio)
Funding a franchise doesn’t have to be confusing. In this episode, Kate and Laura sit down with Jason from Benetrends to unpack how franchise funding really works — from common misconceptions to smart strategies that help buyers move forward with confidence.
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Determination, Grit & Real Life: Franchising Lessons with My Kids (Audio)
In this special Powered by Franchising episode, Laura Rolfe sits down with her kids, Kate and John, to talk about growth, family, leadership, and why business ownership isn’t all-or-nothing—including an honest look at timing, W-2 employment, and long-term planning. #PoweredByFranchising...
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Home Inspection Franchising: Building a Scalable Business with Pillar To Post (Audio)
In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I’m joined by Eric Steward, VP of Franchise Development at Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, to unpack what makes home inspection a compelling and resilient franchise opportunity. We discuss: ✔ Why home inspection remains strong in shifting real estate...
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Mindset, Leadership & Scaling: Top Books for Franchise Owners (Audio)
In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura shares six essential books that every franchise owner, entrepreneur, and business leader should read. These books have shaped thousands of successful franchisees and provide the mindset, systems, and leadership tools needed to run a...
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The Comfort Keepers Legacy: A Franchise Built on Compassion and Family Leadership (Audio)
Founder Kristina Butler and her daughter Heather join us to share how Comfort Keepers grew from a heartfelt mission into a leading senior care franchise. It’s a meaningful conversation about family, caregiving, and purpose in franchising—full of passion, purpose, and the heart behind a brand that...
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From Boutique Fitness to Community Impact: Franchise Growth Unlocked (Audio)
On this episode of Powered by Franchising, we sit down with Lance Freeman of Limitless Franchise Growth—who’s leading the charge behind two powerhouse brands: Jetset Pilates and Fundraising University. We dive into two very different but equally exciting franchise opportunities: ✨ Jetset...
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Franchise Forecast: Micro-Markets, Momentum & Making Your Move (Audio)
Breaking down the freshest franchise trends heading into 2026—including why “boring-but-profitable” brands are booming, how micro-markets and small towns are becoming gold mines, what the 6–10-week evaluation process really looks like, and the funding insights future owners need to know. If...
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Franchise Freedom: How Experienced Leaders Win Big with Proven Models (Audio)
Thinking about your next chapter? Whether you’re approaching retirement or ready to leverage years of business experience, franchising may be your smartest investment. In this Powered by Franchising episode, I talk with Lance Graulich of Eye On Franchising about how proven franchise systems turn...
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From Paint to Purpose: How Richard’s Paintings Built a Franchise on Craftsmanship and Culture (Audio)
In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Richard, founder of Richard’s Paintings, to explore how he transformed a local painting business into a growing franchise built on trust, mentorship, and meticulous craftsmanship. We talk about what it takes to maintain quality across…
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Storm Guard: Restoring Roofs, Building Futures (Audio)
On this episode of Powered by Franchising, I talk with Shane Lynch, President of Storm Guard, the nation’s first exterior restoration franchise. Discover how Storm Guard helps homeowners rebuild after storms — and how franchise owners are building recession-resistant businesses in this booming...
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The Woofie’s Way: Heart, Pet Love, Franchise Success (Audio)
From neighborhood roots to national growth — Woofie’s is redefining pet care franchising. 🐾 In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe and Kate Rolfe chat with Jill Devlin and Jason Henshaw, Franchise Managers with Woofie’s, to explore how compassion and community drive business...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Thinking about business ownership and wondering whether franchising could be the right path for you?Powered by Franchising helps aspiring business owners, career professionals, and investors understand how franchise ownership really works—so they can evaluate opportunities with greater clarity and confidence.Hosted by Laura Rolfe, founder and CEO of Mint Franchise Consultants and a Certified Advanced Franchise Consultant, the show goes beyond franchise sales pitches to explore the decisions, systems, people, and business models behind successful franchise ownership.Through candid conversations with franchise founders, executives, franchisees, lenders, advisors, and other industry experts; you’ll learn what to consider before investing, how to evaluate franchise fit, what strong franchise systems and support actually look like, and how experienced owners and operators approach growth.Episodes explore questions such as:• How do you know if franchise ownership is right for you?
HOSTED BY
Laura Rolfe
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Powered by Franchising have?
Powered by Franchising currently has 128 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Powered by Franchising about?
Thinking about business ownership and wondering whether franchising could be the right path for you?Powered by Franchising helps aspiring business owners, career professionals, and investors understand how franchise ownership really works—so they can evaluate opportunities with greater clarity and...
How often does Powered by Franchising release new episodes?
Powered by Franchising publishes regularly with 128 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Powered by Franchising?
You can listen to Powered by Franchising on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Powered by Franchising?
Powered by Franchising is created and hosted by Laura Rolfe.
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