
The Freedom Formula Podcast: Achieving Financial, Location and Time Freedom
Achieving the type of “freedom” you're seeking probably has already been done by someone else. So, why not just reverse-engineer the formula instead of re-inventing the wheel? Neel Parekh, CEO of MaidThis Franchise, interviews people who have already achieved Time, Location, or Financial Freedom and dive into their stories. The common thread: how to live life on your own terms.
Latest episodes

Aug 14, 2024 • 19min
160. From Corporate Ladder to Entrepreneurial Freedom with Winslow Marshall, Neoteric Brands CEO
Winslow Marshall, founder of Neoteric Brands, shares his journey from corporate to entrepreneurship and the challenges he faced along the way. He discusses the benefits of gaining experience in a fully formed company before starting his own business and the value of starting earlier in entrepreneurship. Winslow also talks about his experience as a digital nomad and the freedom it provided. He explains how he decided on his business model and the importance of community in growing CPG brands. He shares the challenges of entrepreneurship, including the scarcity of attention and the need for cash flow management. Winslow emphasizes the flexibility and focus that entrepreneurship brings to his day-to-day life and the concept of freedom in entrepreneurship.
Takeaways
Gaining experience in a fully formed company before starting your own business can provide valuable knowledge and skills.
Starting earlier in entrepreneurship can have benefits in terms of gaining experience and taking risks.
Being a digital nomad offers a unique sense of freedom and the opportunity to explore different locations.
Community is important in growing consumer goods brands and leveraging community can be a successful business model.
Entrepreneurship comes with challenges such as the scarcity of attention and the need for cash flow management.
Entrepreneurship provides flexibility and the ability to work on your own terms, but also requires focus and intensity.
Freedom in entrepreneurship includes location independence, time independence, and the ability to work on your interests.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like it, leave a comment and subscribe to our podcast for more amazing content.
Want to stay connected? Follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes insights:
➙ Visit www.maidthisfranchise.com
➙ Instagram: @neelbparekh
➙ X (Twitter): @neelbparek
Follow Winslow here:
➙ X (Twitter): @winslowmarshall
➙ https://www.neotericbrands.com/

Aug 7, 2024 • 26min
159. Embracing the Unknown: Launching a Cleaning Business with Akila, MaidThis McKinney
Akila, the owner of MaidThis McKinney, shares her journey of starting her own location and leaving her nine-to-five job. She discusses her background in project management and her desire for more hustle and productivity. Akila talks about her fears and lifestyle changes when starting her business, as well as the support she received from her friends and family. She also shares her experiences with training, marketing, and community outreach, highlighting the success she has found in the vacation rental industry. Akila emphasizes the importance of joining a franchise like MaidThis for the support and collaboration it provides.
Takeaways
Starting a business requires embracing the fear of the unknown and being willing to make lifestyle changes.
Joining a franchise like Made This provides support, training, and collaboration opportunities.
Community marketing, such as joining the Chamber of Commerce and creating meetup groups, can be an effective way to generate leads and build relationships.
Embracing a niche market, such as vacation rentals, can lead to success and expertise in that industry.
Having a strong support system, both within the franchise and from friends and family, is crucial for entrepreneurial success.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like it, leave a comment and subscribe to our podcast for more amazing content.
Want to stay connected? Follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes insights:
➙ Visit www.maidthisfranchise.com
➙ Follow me on Instagram: @neelbparekh
➙ Follow me on Twitter: @neelbparekh

Jul 31, 2024 • 30min
158. Scaling Success: Leveraging Franchises for Entrepreneurial Growth with Erik Van Horn
In this episode of the Freedom Formula podcast, Neel talks with Erik Van Horn, a franchise expert and host of the Franchise Secrets podcast. Erik shares his journey in the franchise world, from starting as a real estate investor to becoming a successful franchisee and investor in multiple franchise brands. He emphasizes the importance of learning from top-performing franchisees and hiring for your weaknesses. Erik also discusses the value of being part of a franchise system and the opportunities for expansion and exit that it provides.
Takeaways
Franchising offers the opportunity to be a true entrepreneur and benefit from the support and knowledge of other franchisees.
Successful franchisees understand their strengths and weaknesses and hire for their weaknesses.
Expansion in franchising can be achieved by buying out existing franchisees or opening new locations.
Hiring the right talent is crucial for growth and success in franchising.
Franchisees should take advantage of the knowledge and support of other franchisees in the system.
Paying for great help and investing in talented employees can lead to scalability and increased profitability.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like it, leave a comment and subscribe to our podcast for more amazing content.
Want to stay connected? Follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes insights:
➙ Visit www.maidthisfranchise.com
➙ Follow me on Instagram: @neelbparekh
➙ Follow me on Twitter: @neelbparekh
Check out Erik's social media for more great content:
➙ Podcast Spotify: Franchise Secrets
➙ Podcast Apple: Franchise Secrets Podcast
➙ X (Twitter): @RealErikVanHorn

Jul 24, 2024 • 38min
157. Remote Cleaning Businesses And Why They’re Awesome [Nik interviewing Neel]
A different and fun podcast where Neel Parekh gets interviewed by Nik from Nikonomics. his journey in the cleaning industry and the unique aspects of his business model. He shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of running a cleaning company, particularly in the residential and vacation rental niches. Neel emphasizes the importance of recurring revenue and customer retention in the cleaning industry. He also talks about the benefits and support provided to franchisees and the potential for scalability in the business.
Takeaways
Recurring revenue and customer retention are crucial in the cleaning industry.
The residential and vacation rental niches offer opportunities for growth and stability.
Customer acquisition costs and lifetime value vary depending on the niche.
Franchising can provide support and scalability for cleaning businesses.
Automation and delegation are key to freeing up time and growing the business.
Thanks for tuning in! If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to give it a thumbs up and subscribe to our channel for more amazing content.
Want to stay connected? Follow me on social media for updates and behind-the-scenes insights:
➙ Visit www.maidthisfranchise.com
➙ Follow me on Instagram: @neelbparekh
➙ Follow me on Twitter: @neelbparekh
Check out Nik's social media for more great content:
➙ Podcast Spotify: tinyurl.com/5avyu98y
➙ Podcast Apple: tinyurl.com/bdxbr284
➙ X (Twitter): twitter.com/CoFoundersNik

Jul 17, 2024 • 30min
156. From Employee to Franchisee: The All-In Commitment Journey with Nautical Bowls CEO, Bryant Amundson
In this episode of the Freedom Formula podcast, Neel Parekh chats with Bryant Amundson, the CEO of Nautical Bowls, a franchise brand specializing in acai bowls. Bryant shares his journey of starting his first location and eventually franchising the business. He emphasizes the importance of being all-in as a franchisee and the need for coaching and mindset upgrades. Bryant also discusses the support system needed for franchisees and the focus on franchisee success. He highlights the goal of creating time freedom and financial success for franchisees. To learn more about Bryant and Nautical Bowls, you can find him on LinkedIn or visit the Nautical Bowls website.
Takeaways
Starting a franchise requires being all-in and willing to do the work.
The success of a franchisee is determined by their level of engagement and willingness to take ownership.
A support system for franchisees should focus on coaching and mindset upgrades.
Franchisees need to be guided in the right direction and helped to solve the root problems.
The goal of a franchise should be to create time freedom and financial success for franchisees.
Building a successful franchise requires a focus on franchisee success and a commitment to their growth and development.

Jul 10, 2024 • 27min
155. Traveling the World, Building a Business in the Digital Nomad World with Freddy Lansky
In this episode, Neel chats Freddy Lansky, a digital nomad and entrepreneur who has traveled to nearly 100 countries. Freddy shares his journey from backpacking through Europe to starting his own successful e-commerce business, iChess. He discusses the importance of taking risks, making pivots, and not getting stuck in analysis paralysis. Freddy also talks about the challenges of running an internet business and the opportunities in the freelance and consulting space. He emphasizes the need to go hard and give it a fair shake before deciding to pivot. Freddy's story is a testament to the power of lifestyle design and pursuing your passions.
Takeaways
Take risks and don't be afraid to make pivots in your career or business.
Go hard and give your ventures a fair shake before deciding to pivot.
Don't get stuck in analysis paralysis; take action and learn from your failures.
Consider the opportunities in the freelance and consulting space, especially in the digital marketing field.

Jul 3, 2024 • 29min
154. From 9-5 Engineer to Starting 20+ Companies, with serial entrepreneur Ray Blakney
Neel sits down with Ray Blakney, an accidental entrepreneur, who shares his journey from working in corporate America to starting his own businesses. He emphasizes the importance of having a clear why and setting realistic expectations when starting a business. Ray introduces his business, Productized Education, which helps individuals turn their skills and knowledge into educational products. He offers an Accelerator program to develop and sell the first product, a Scale program to replace day-to-day income, and guidance on scaling the business to the desired level. Ray's approach focuses on achieving financial stability, maintaining relationships, prioritizing health, and having fun.
Takeaways
Have a clear why and set realistic expectations when starting a business
Turn your skills and knowledge into educational products
Focus on achieving financial stability, maintaining relationships, prioritizing health, and having fun
Productized Education offers an Accelerator program, a Scale program, and guidance on scaling the business

Jun 26, 2024 • 32min
153. The #1 Mindset Shift Needed for New Entrepreneurs, with ex-Special Forces Mindset Coach Itamar Marani
In this episode, Neel talks with Itamar Marani, a mindset coach with a diverse background in the military, private security, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. The conversation covers topics such as living in Thailand, the experience of working for a Russian billionaire, the pursuit of wealth, and the mindset of successful entrepreneurs. The conversation delves into the psychological barriers and limiting beliefs that entrepreneurs face, exploring the impact of fear, comfort, and the need for approval. Itamar discusses the importance of taking action, making peace with discomfort, and reworking limiting beliefs at different stages of entrepreneurship. The conversation also covers the process of identifying and addressing unconscious beliefs, and the impact of emotions on logical decision-making.
Takeaways
The pursuit of wealth and success should be balanced with personal growth and self-awareness.
Adaptability and mental flexibility are crucial for achieving new goals and breaking through limitations.
External success does not always equate to internal fulfillment and happiness.
The journey from pain to freedom is a powerful motivator for personal and professional growth. The impact of fear, comfort, and the need for approval on entrepreneurial decision-making.
The importance of taking action and making peace with discomfort in the entrepreneurial journey.
The process of identifying and reworking limiting beliefs at different stages of entrepreneurship.
The impact of unconscious beliefs and emotions on logical decision-making in entrepreneurship.

Jun 19, 2024 • 18min
152. Scaling a Coding School to 70 Locations (While Keeping Work-Life Balance), with Hansel, CEO of TheCoderSchool
In this conversation, Neel chats with Hansel from the Coder School, discussing Hansel's background, journey into entrepreneurship, and the franchising model of the Coder School. They explore the importance of passion in business, marketing strategies, and the traits of successful franchisees.
Takeaways
Passion for the business and its impact on the community is more important than passion for the end product.
Successful franchisees exhibit traits such as relatability, communication skills, and a 'gunslinger' approach to marketing tactics.
Experimentation and testing are crucial in entrepreneurship, and systematic approaches may not always work in marketing strategies.

Jun 12, 2024 • 23min
151. “The Step-Path To Quitting Your Job & Living Abroad, with Jeff Hill of Hill Financial Group”
Neel sits down with Jeff Hill shares his journey from corporate America to location independence, discussing the struggles, mindset shifts, and the decision to raise a family outside the US. He emphasizes the importance of multiple sources of income and the freedom to live life on one's terms.
Takeaways
Transitioning from corporate America to entrepreneurship requires courage and a willingness to work hard for oneself.
Creating multiple sources of income is essential for achieving location independence and financial freedom.
Raising a family outside the US provides cultural exposure and the ability to live life on one's terms.
The journey to location independence involves mindset shifts, discipline, and the pursuit of freedom and abundance.