The Angel Next Door The Power of Franchising: Dawn Lafreeda’s Road to Owning 72 Denny's
What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn's entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.
Dawn Lafreeda began her career at Denny’s at the age of 16 as a hostess and worked her way up to waitress before seizing her first business opportunity. Over the course of a 40-year career, she has owned, among other ventures, up to 120 Denny’s restaurants. In addition to her franchising achievements, Dawn participated as an executive producer in the movie "Show Her the Money," which highlights the challenges and empowerment of women in venture capital.
This episode explores the benefits and challenges of franchising, where Dawn offers invaluable insights into site selection, financing, and scaling a business. Dawn also shares personal anecdotes about navigating business through crises like 9/11 and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and financial prudence. Coupled with her advocacy for women in business and her efforts to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of successful entrepreneurship and the feasibility of franchising as a robust business model. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the industry and be inspired by her story of success and determination.
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Website: www.marciadawood.com
Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com
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