Franchise Interviews

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with  Lee Knowlton, Massage Envy’s Sr. Vice President of Global Sales & International Division. Here’s some background information: Massage Envy, based in Scottsdale, Arizona, is a national franchisor and, through its franchise locations, is the leading provider of therapeutic massage and skincare services. The Massage Envy franchise system is, collectively, the largest employer of massage therapists and estheticians. In part two, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know in their quest to buy a franchise on our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

As a Certified Tax Coach™, Craig belongs to a select group of practitioners throughout the country who undergo extensive training and continued education on various tax planning techniques and strategies in order to become, as well as remain, certified. With this organization, Craig has co-authored an Amazon best seller, Secrets of a Tax Free Life. In addition to tax planning, Craig's practice offers traditional tax services as well as off site CFO services. With a dedicated and passionate team we are able to provide daily guidance and advice to business clients. Our efficiency is embedded in our team concept. Our clients include, but are not limited to, Medical Professionals, Clothing Sourcing Businesses and Commercial Electrical Companies.  Craig answers the following questions: What  is the biggest  mistake you see small business owners making regarding taxes? How can business owners use their CPA to their Advantage?      How often should a business owner communicate with his/her CPA and why is it so important? For more information on Craig Cody and a a FREE copy of 10 Biggest Tax Mistakes That Cost Business Owners Thousands, please click the following link http://www.craigcodyandcompany.com/franchiseinterviews/ In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

From a kitchen experiment to a thriving, international company, all developed from one purpose.  Smoothie King first introduced the nutritional fresh-blended smoothie in 1973 when founder Steve Kuhnau began experimenting with mixing real fruit, nutrients and proteins in a blender at home. Soon enough, his concoctions began to have a positive impact on his health, which spawned the creation of the first Smoothie King. Launching Smoothie King Franchising By 1989, Smoothie King became the first smoothie franchise in the United States. Since then, the brand has expanded its reign with each "Lifestyle Center" also offering healthy retail product solutions in sport beverages, energy bars, healthy snacks, vitamin supplements, herbs, minerals, and other sports nutrition products. SK USA, Inc. Purchases Smoothie King In July 2012, Smoothie King co-founders Steve and Cindy Kuhnau sold controlling interest of the Louisiana-based company to SK USA, Inc., headed by CEO Wan Kim, a successful franchisee with more than 100 stores throughout South Korea. Smoothie King Ranked #1 by Entrepreneur Magazine In 2016, Smoothie King was ranked the #1 Juice Bar Franchise on Entrepreneur Magazine's Annual Franchise 500 list - marking the 23rd year the brand has occupied the number one spot and #92 overall. The ranking is primarily based upon financial strength and stability, growth rate and size of system.  We are meeting with Chad Tramuta of Smoothie King.  In part 2, we will discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We are going to play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Dave Lavalle – Founder of the Dryer Vent Wizard franchise.  David Lavalle, founded the Dryer Vent Wizard franchise system in 2004 in the Boston area. Lavalle frequently encountered homeowners having issues with their dryer vent systems that required an “urgent response.” These issues were a result of dryer vent lint accumulation, blockages, disrepair, or improper venting configurations. The concept originated when Lavalle realized the need for a specialist for dryer vents.   Within a few years, the concept expanded into a successful franchise that specializes in dryer fire prevention and energy savings through dryer vent cleaning, inspection, repair, replacement, alterations, and maintenance for single and multi-family residential and commercial entities. In Part 2, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Sammy Aldeeb – Founder of Urban Bricks.  Urban Bricks Pizza bring an authentic Neapolitan pizza at a reasonable price to their customers’ table.   Urban Bricks Pizza embrace the pizza eating culture by providing a customized experience for every taste without compromising our quality for speed. Urban Bricks Pizza is much more than a brand, a name or a product, it is part of a lifestyle. Their personality speaks for itself: we are edgy, outgoing, and progressive. We are not your ordinary pizza place and we like to show it off.  Urban Bricks Pizza believes in authenticity, great customer service, integrity, and quality are the high standards we practice and pass to everyone who joins the URBAN BRICKS PIZZA family.   In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Raymond Griffin of the Lost Cajun Restaurant franchise.  The Lost Cajun Restaurants” features southern style home cooking, like Fried catfish, shrimp and oysters.  The Lost Cajun Restaurants are a full service, family friendly restaurant and provide, the best service in the industry and it is their goal to make all of their guest feel like they are having dinner at a friend’s house. From our open kitchens, to our handmade wooden tables and our New Orleans atmosphere, you will think that you stepped off of the street into a New Orleans bistro! In part 2, we discuss what ever frantrepreneur should know before buying a franchise.  We will play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Jeremy Barnhart of the Apex Fun Run franchise. Apex Fun Run is working hard to make fundraising easier! Their method is to collaborate with school PTO/As and faculty to build student leaders through a meaningful, “hassle-free” and financially successful school fun run. Apex Fun Run believes every child can change their school, and the world, in a profound way.  Some of the additional benefits include the following: Serving others brings the greatest joy and contributes to the greatest good. Learning by doing and exercise are both undervalued and underutilized in fundraising today. Encouragement and enthusiasm build others up—we will help build leaders. Raising money for your child’s school can also serve as a positive learning experience. Many people giving a little reduces the individual burden on the typical givers and donors. Teachers have skin in the game and that makes for highly-motivated and excited coaches. Your teachers will coach their classroom teams to greater heights knowing that in the end, a portion of what the classroom raises goes straight back to the teacher for their classroom.

Ask The Frantrepreneur Who Owns One After losing her job, Lisa Freidel and her husband, Mark – both military veterans – were facing some adversity, but nothing stands in the way of a U.S. Army Major and his West Point graduate wife! Their strength is seeing adversity and finding a resolution. That resolution, a new Signarama store, is located at 1005 Middlebrook Dr., in Liberty, MO. Mark, 53, had been a stay-at-home dad for the past 13 years to the couple’s two sons, while Lisa, 48, got her MBA and spent the past 20 years working in the private business sector and corporate America. In part 2, we discuss what every entrepreneur needs to know before buying a franchise from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.

We are meeting with Morgan Morano of Morano Gelato.  Morano Gelato is a small New England-based company dedicated to promoting the art of gelato-making through its production of authentic Italian gelato in small, concentrated batches. Morano Gelato was established in 2010 by Morgan Morano after spending 6 years living on and off in Italy. Morgan grew up in the Upper Valley and always planned to open a dessert-related business. During college and after culinary school, Morgan gained experience working and cooking in New York City and Italy, the most significant being her work for a Sicilian Gelato Chef who quickly became a close friend and mentor. Morgan appreciated the bold flavors of gelato found in Italy and noticed the lack of authentic gelato shops with Italian flavors in America. Disappointed with products claiming to be 'gelato,' she set out to establish the tradition of gelato-making in America and recreate pure Italian gelato.

We have a great show today.  We are meeting with Mike Mallory Vice President of Franchise Development in North America for TREND Transformations, a global full-service home and business remodeling franchise that offers stylish and affordable alternatives to traditional countertops, mosaic tile backsplashes and more through a one-day resurfacing process.  In part 2, we play a clip from our popular Great Quotes in Franchising podcast.