Very Big Ventures

When a young delivery driver vowed "I'll be rich" instead of college, he set in motion a family legacy that would span brands, states, and generations. In this episode, Taj Adhav sits down with Kavrin McGuire of 825 Ventures to trace the sparks that turned a Domino's driver into the patriarch of a 24-location Jersey Mike’s group—and how his sons are carrying the torch into new territory. Through late nights, hard-earned lessons, and a culture built on "Choices," Kavrin reveals the turning points, the brutal realities of restaurant life, and the leadership decisions that preserved a culture as the business scaled. From mastering three-slice cheese weights to becoming the nation's first franchisee of Mike’s Red Tacos, this is a portrait of grit, family, and careful ambition. Listen for the moments of doubt, the lessons passed from father to son, and the bold bets that could reshape the nation's food scene. Whether you’re building a brand or building a life, this episode shows how small sparks become Very Big Ventures.

Maryna Shuliakouskaya’s story reads like a road map of courage: leaving Belarus with a $5,000 plan for a wedding, falling in love in a new relationship instead, and turning survival instincts into a multi-unit franchise business. In this episode we follow her improbable path—from packing blueberries and bookkeeping for her father, to managing Subway, to opening the first franchised Aroma Joe’s and building a people-first operation that trains employees for life, not just shifts. Through candid scenes and hard-won lessons, Maryna reveals how small acts—smiling, giving permission, sharing financial truths in dollars not percentages—become the scaffolding of scale. She shows how systems, emotional intelligence, and the willingness to trust your gut beat blind reliance on authority, and why hiring for values is as important as hiring for skill. By the end you’ll see why Maryna calls herself a builder of people as much as coffee shops: a mentor who transforms turnover into opportunity, a leader who treats investments as engines of growth, and a mother who teaches her daughters that boiling water makes eggs hard and potatoes soft—the environment may be the same, but the outcome is your choice.

He started at 15 washing dishes and, decades later, found himself signing for dozens of restaurants. In this episode, follow Steve’s raw, unvarnished journey from hungry teenager to franchising strategist as he learns to bet on people, build teams that outgrow expectations, and turn mistakes into hard-won advantages. Listen as deals are made on tight timelines, leases slip through the cracks, and an accidental mentor becomes a partner — all while Steve discovers a simple truth: there’s no elevator to the top. Through candid stories, near-misses, and proud wins, this episode reveals how courage, grit, and a people-first ethic create the kind of momentum that changes lives.

He started as a water delivery driver who was publicly humiliated by his boss — then bought a rundown Great Clips with no money and a handful of Post-it coupons. In this episode, Greg Thomas tells a straight-shooting story of anger turned into action: a humiliating moment becomes a vow, a tiny coupon becomes a growth engine, and a restless hustler becomes one of the largest Great Clips franchisees. Listen as Greg maps the risks, the wild scrambles for cash, the opportunistic buyouts, and the unorthodox leadership playbook that centers on paying people well and teaching them to win. It’s a tale of stubborn grit, creative marketing, and relentless reinvention — the kind of messy, human journey that proves very big ventures truly start small.

Meet Ken Baker: the finance leader whose story moves from a family grocery born from unexpected ash of a volcanic eruption to the backstage of Disney and the front lines of restaurant kitchens. In this episode, Ken traces the unlikely thread that led him from wardrobe rooms to Universal Studios, Planet Hollywood, and the scrappy days at Hawkers—where a passion for hospitality and a hunger for data collided. You’ll hear the human moments, the hard pivots, and the small, stubborn decisions that shaped a career. Then watch the spark become a plan. Ken unveils Roasted Data, a mission to turn dashboards into actions by simulating restaurant flow and delivering simple, high-impact recommendations for managers on the floor. It’s a practical, people-first vision for using analytics to coach leaders, protect guest experience, and drive margin—showing how one idea, quietly built, can change the way an industry operates. Tune in for a story about conviction, craft, and the very big venture still ahead.

In this exclusive panel discussion, industry experts Jeff Kolton and Alicia Miller will share insights on how both emerging franchises and established brands can prepare their operations, financials, and strategies for a smooth, successful transaction.

Discover the secrets to scaling and managing a growing business with Lee Allen, Head of Commercial Real Estate at PetVet Care Centers. With a portfolio of over 450 locations across the United States, Lee has navigated the complexities of rapid expansion, operational challenges, and real estate management at scale.

Josh Liggins, Director of Franchising at Inspire Brands, whose portfolio includes nearly 32,000 Arby's, Baskin-Robbins, Buffalo Wild Wings, Dunkin', Jimmy John's, and Sonic; and Dipak Patel, Chief Executive Officer & President of Anna Management, a Dunkin franchisee who has made history opening over 100 locations for Dunkin, join us in this episode. 

This episode includes speakers Salem Najjar, CEO of Serve Hospitality Group, one of the largest and highest performing Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchisees in the Midwest, as well as Kevin McTigue, Manager, Solutions Engineering at Restaurant365 and Taj Adhav, Founder of Leasecake, as they discuss maximizing profitability & efficiency.

Join us for an exclusive podcast with Diego Pacheco, Chief Growth Officer at Ace Pickleball Club to learn about how Ace Pickleball Club evolved from a visionary idea into a thriving enterprise, expanding its footprint across multiple locations and redefining the pickleball experience.

Listen to learn the secrets behind Dave's Hot Chicken's remarkable expansion. Featuring Carolyn Canady, Chief Development Officer of Dave's Hot Chicken, and Deryl Pangelinan, COO of Cluckin, one of Dave’s largest and fastest-growing franchisees, these industry experts explore the importance of strong relationships, the impact of a people-centric approach, and the dynamics of effective franchisee-franchisor collaboration.

Bob Folsom, a franchise owner of Anytime Fitness, shares his insights and experience working at a rapidly expanding fitness franchise, including his tips, tricks, and tools used to find and add new locations to their portfolio with a lean team.