Franchise Interviews

We are meeting with Brynson Smith. Brynson is a sales and franchise consultant with a strong background in helping entrepreneurs break into the world of franchising, as well as helping established franchise owners diversify their portfolio. Brynson is the Director of Franchise Sales for uBreakiFix, an electronic device repair franchise.  uBreakiFix is obsessed with gadgets and gizmos. They are the folks standing in line on launch day waiting for the latest smartphone or gaming console. They love all things tech and they are experts at what they do.  uBreakiFix fixes electronic devices (it’s in our name after all). From the classic phone drop in the parking lot to the tablet in the toilet. They have seen it all. They understand how traumatic it is when you break your favorite devices and they want you to feel better the moment you walk in. In Part Two, we will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

iSold It was founded so that everyone-from individuals, to businesses, to fundraising organizations-would have an easy way to sell merchandise on eBay. Like many service stores personalized attention, reliability, and expert skills is what is important at iSold It.   Their business formula rests on the idea that busy people and small businesses want exceptional service to help manage their affairs. We are meeting with William Fikhman of the franchise iSold it on Ebay.  William is one of the youngest franchisees for Isold it on Ebay as well as the country.

Did you miss our interview with Lori Karpman? Lori founded the wildly successful “Zyng Noodlery” franchise for which she garnered several prestigious marketing & branding awards including the pinnacle award from the Ontario Advertising Assn & the Canadian Franchise Association for “Outstanding Overall Corporate Image”. Lori Karpman is a seasoned, multi- award-winning management consultant (and former attorney) specializing in multi-unit business development and professional coaching and training.  She is currently CEO of Lori Karpman & Company, a full-service firm providing all the services a growing brand needs. She is also Head Coach at Coach Lori an executive coaching firm

We are meeting with Kevin Dubois, Chief Executive Officer, Lapels Dry Cleaning.  As the CEO of Lapels Dry Cleaning, Kevin Dubois has more than 25 years in the franchise industry, the last 15 with Lapels. Over that time, Lapels Dry Cleaning has pioneered an eco-friendly dry-cleaning experience through a partnership agreement with GreenEarth®, the dry cleaning industry’s only non-toxic cleaning alternative. By utilizing the latest technology in equipment and GreenEarth solutions, Lapels is one of the few dry cleaners able to boast that there is no hazardous waste in their process. Under Kevin’s leadership, Lapels Dry Cleaning has repeatedly ranked on Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for the country’s top Franchise Systems—including the 2020 list. Lapels Dry Cleaning has also been named to Franchise Times Top 200+ on multiple occasions. It’s annual clothing drive to benefit Big Brother Big Sister has raised thousands of dollars in donations that resold at BBBS outlets. On an individual basis, Kevin has achieved notoriety in the dry cleaning industry, co-authoring Entrepreneurial Insanity in the Dry Cleaning Business. To date, more than 10,000 copies have been sold and it’s become the definitive book on succeeding in the industry. Kevin is a former winner of the New England Franchise Association’s Franchisor of the Year award.

One of the hot topics in many towns across America is education.  Some states have gone to all online learning while others are using a hybrid approach.   This trend has resulted in a need for supplemental education services.  Education franchises typically have high margins and are in high demand.  Today you are going to hear two interviews from franchises in the education industry.  First, we will play our interview with the Code Ninjas franchise opportunity.  Code Ninjas® is the world’s largest and fastest-growing kids coding franchise, with hundreds of locations in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom.  From the mind of educator Dori Roberts, Engineering For Kids is an engineering enrichment program for Pre-K through 8th grade youth. Engineering for Kids have developed unique, exciting programs that invite children to have fun while using their knowledge of engineering and science to design, create, and improve solutions to engineering problems.  We end the show with a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Paula Hope, the President of Booked Solid.  Paula helps business professionals, and their teams, create the revenue they deserve.  Through the strategic development of a referral/personal marketing plan which includes online activities, Booked Solid business professionals learn to create, manage and leverage their social capital (their personal good will) into a system that will grow their revenue for themselves and their firms.Paula consults and develops referral partner programs within progressive corporations who really want to get serious about creating high quality referrals for their organization. Paula is the author of Stop The Saboteurs: Conquer Negative Thoughts that Hurt Your Revenue and Your Brand.  In Part Two, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast

We are meeting with Mike Wootton, the VP of Franchise Development for My EyeLab. My EyeLab is a state-of-the-art optical lab franchise best known for their high-tech approach to keep costs low for customers and franchisees alike.  My EyeLab is the fastest growing optical retailer in the country and they have performed over 800,000 telehealth exams using their revolutionary telehealth technology.

Some recent studies show cleaning service franchises see COVID-19 spike in business.  Several franchises such as 360Clean have created a specialized program to help their customers return to work with a Peace of Mind as it relates to COVID-19 and the safety of their employees and customers.  360 Clean will thoroughly disinfect your office and the Touch Surfaces. These surfaces are the key pathway for the spread of germs in any facility and include, but are not limited to: Door Handles, desks, switches, telephones, dispensers, handles and toilets.  Our podcast today will feature interviews with two cleaning franchises.  First, we will play our interview with Barry Bodiford, CEO of 360clean, a specialized janitorial franchise. Next, we will play our interview with Todd Hopkins, Founder/CEO/President of The Office Pride Commercial Cleaning Services franchise.  Office Pride is a fast-growing franchise in the $78 billion commercial cleaning industry. Their franchisees provide top-quality janitorial services and total floor care delivered in a professional and consistent way, through a commitment to honesty and integrity.  We end the show with a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.  https://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2020/04/15/cleaning-service-franchise-sees-covid-19-spike-in.html

Bonchon created their signature sauce in Korea back in 2002, and have kept their original recipe ever since.  Every piece of Bonchon chicken is double-fried, then hand brushed with their signature sauce. Bonchon was created to satisfy a craving. A craving for nostalgia and familiarity. A craving for the indulgent taste of authentic, flavorful, crunchy, Korean fried chicken accompanied with a variety of unique pan Asian comfort foods. In the beginning, there were few places to satisfy this craving in the United States. Their founder, Mr. Seo, introduced premium, flavorful sauces and cooking techniques served in a globally inspired, modern and sleek environment. And for the next generation of diners, a new way to experience fried chicken was born. Bonchon was recognized by Business Insider in 2019 as “the gold standard for fried chicken” beating out five major restaurant chains as “best chicken wings”. We are meeting with Flynn Dekker, CEO of Bonchon. In Part Two we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising.

We start today's show with a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast. In Part Two, we will play our interview with the Poolwerx franchise opportunity.  I was recently asked by one of my business students what industries have seen an increase in demand in 2020.  One of those industries are pools with more people staying home and less people heading to the beach.  Founded in 1992, Poolwerx is one of the world’s largest pool and hot tub / spa maintenance providers. You will hear our interview with the CEO and founder of Poolwerx, John O' Brien.