The Franchise Life

Ep. 16 - Bloomin’ Blinds! A Recession-Resistant Investment That Relies Heavily on Technology

Bloomin' Blinds has over 100 territories sold nationwide and continues to draw the attention of new investors, given its differentiating attributes. Bloomin' Blinds is a zero-inventory, high-margin, home-based, truly mobile service that requires minimal employees to be successful. Additionally, its "repair" revenue stream allows this business model to stand the test of time during economic downturns. A service its competitors do not provide. Offering repairs and sales adds to a customer's value perception, aids in efficient and economical marketing, builds the customer base faster, and repairs are virtually 100% profit. 
Kelsey Stuart (CEO of Bloomin' Blinds) and Bert McGavock (Bloomin' Blinds Franchise Owner of NW San Antonio, TX) join me in this episode to discuss the business model. We touch on topics such as:
The "ideal prospect/franchisee" attributes from a corporate perspective
Making the transition from a career in the railroad industry to becoming a Bloomin' Blinds business owner
Support of the franchisor to its investors/franchisees
How technology is an integral part of the business model and daily operations
The simplicity of the business model and having customer leads from Day 1!
With an AUV of $607K per territory and 30% net profits (2022 Franchise Disclosure Documents Item 19), Bloomin' Blinds has positioned itself as an attractive investment opportunity in the home services sector.  
If you are interested in learning more about the Bloomin' Blinds franchise opportunity, reach out to us today at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.
Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D

Ep. 15 - Brian Marketing Group. Insights & Importance of Digital Marketing Tactics for Small Businesses!

Today's episode focuses on the importance of marketing, specifically digital marketing, and how implementing an integrated marketing plan can take your small business to the next level.
Jason Brian (Owner) and Michel Picard (Sales Director) of Brian Marketing Group, located in Jupiter, FL, join me to share their expertise and how they help clients navigate the many options of digital marketing.
Some of the topics we cover:
Social Media - YouTube Shorts, YouTube Ad Campaigns, Instagram, Instagram Reels, Facebook, etc.
Google Pay-Per-Click (PPC) advertisements
How all franchise brands are not created equal in their level of marketing support
Whether a product or service is "googleable" and how that drives an initial marketing strategy in specific directions
Importance of tracking and measuring advertisements
How to vet an advertising agency, and much more.
What does a reasonable pilot budget look like for Google ads? And much more...
The best approach is what makes the most sense for an individual client. And that's why leaning on advertising experts is the best approach to utilize the monies you have to spend on advertising your business.
You'll be able to click here to learn more about Brian Marketing Group's services. 
To explore franchise opportunities and learn which ones might be the best match for you? Reach out to us today at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.
Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D

Ep. 14 - Groovy Hues Painting! A brand that is bringing peace and love to homes nationwide.

Groovy Hues Painting is a brand differentiating itself with its sophisticated communication tools and on-the-spot financing, making every project easy and affordable for its customers.  Josh Hoffman (Director of Franchise Development) and John Pleiss (Brand President) join me in this episode to share more about the Groovy Hues brand. 
Josh and John dive into brand specifics such as:
Multiple Revenue Streams: Painting: The Groovy Hues Crew are experts in Residential and Commercial Painting
Power Washing Services: Power Wash & Soft Wash options
Gutters & Shutters: Gutter & shutter replacement and Painting
Custom Curb Appeal: Technology to show homeowners enhancements they can make to the exterior of their homes.
Sherwin Williams National Partnership:Resource for new franchisees to launch their business on color selections and also subcontractor painters.
Sophisticated Communication Tools:Communication is key to Groovy Hues. They will communicate with clients every step of the way during their project.
ColorSnap® Technology:Preview your space with the ColorSnap® visualizer tool! Choose or upload a photo of your home and select your colors; it is as simple as that.
On-the-Spot Financing:Franchisees can offer on-the-spot financing through relationships that Groovy Hue's corporate has established for their clientele.
And much, much more!
Interested in learning more about Groovy Hues Painting market availability and investment levels? Reach out to us today at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.
Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D

Ep. 13 - HorsePower Brands. A Portfolio of Franchise Brands That Provides Unparalleled Support & Is Attracting ”Empire Builder” Investor-Types.

Have you ever heard the sentiment that "Failure can be the greatest teacher?" For my guest, Zach Beutler, Co-Founder of HorsePower Brands, failure is what fueled his success in building some of the most desired franchise brands/opportunities in the home services industry today.   At the age of 20, with $20k in his pocket, Zach Beutler invested in his first franchise. But his journey did not come without challenges. He was faced with some tough times, mentally and financially, and found himself having to rebuild his career after having filed for bankruptcy at one point in time.   One quote you will see prevalent throughout all of the HorsePower brands marketing materials is by Mark Twain "Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions."   Today, Zach Beutler and Josh Skolnick have built a company (HorsePower Brands) with eight franchises within its portfolio with the goal of having 25 brands within its portfolio by the year 2025!   Zach and I dive into the value and unparalleled support HorsePower Brands provides its franchisees, including its innovative outlook on "empire building" within its portfolio of brands. And Zach even shares which brand is his #1 favorite out of their brand portfolio and why?   Interested in learning more about franchise opportunities within the HorsePower brands portfolio? Reach out to us today at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.   Give us a follow on social media for future episodes: Social Media (qrcodes.pro)  

Ep. 12 - Blingle! Premier Lighting. A HorsePower Brand Enticing Investors Nationwide Given Their Innovative Technologies, Supply Chain Strategies, and...

Blingle! Premier Lighting is a B2B and B2C franchise model that attracts investors nationwide, given its first-to-market as a national lighting franchise brand and the unparalleled support that the HorsePower Brands umbrella provides.   Joining me in this episode are Josh Skolnick, Chairman & Co-Founder of Horsepower Brands, and Travis Miller, Brand President of Blingle. Josh and Travis dive into brand specifics such as:   Multiple Revenue Streams: Holiday Lighting, Landscape & Patio Lighting, Permanent Lighting, Event Lighting, and Commercial Lighting
Rocket-Z - An in-house recruitment agency that helps franchisees recruit key personnel and provides ongoing support throughout the longevity of their business.
Lights for Christmas - 60,000 square foot distribution center purchased and owned by HorsePower Brands, so they own their supply chain for franchisees' lighting needs.
Virtual Designers - Blingle! Virtual designers connect with customers to create a design for their home or business.
Franchise Rocket Digital Marketing - An in-house marketing agency that implements all digital marketing for franchisees.
Call Center Support - Every Blingle! franchisee will have access to call center support 24/7.
Interested in learning more about Blingle! Premier Lighting market availability and investment levels? Reach out to us today at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.   Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D

Ep. 11 - Pause Wellness Studio. A Franchise Brand That Is Drawing the Attention of A-List Celebrities!

Jeff Ono, Co-Founder/President of Pause Wellness Studio, is joining me in this episode. Jeff Ono and his partner, John Klein, founded Pause in 2016 and have since grown to 3 Pause studios in the LA area, with a 4th and 5th under construction. 
Pause provides an environment where clients can take a "pause" from their busy lives. Its studios have also drawn the attention of A-List celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Rob Gronkowski, Usher, Kate Beckinsale, and many more.
So what is the attraction? It's simple. From the moment you walk into a Pause Wellness Studio, you are transported into an environment designed to inspire, enable, and support you to take a "pause" from today's demanding lifestyle. 
Pause is focused on mind and body recovery and takes a holistic and modern approach through its seven modalities/revenue streams, which include Contrast Therapy, Cryotherapy, LED Light Therapy, IV Drip, Infrared Sauna, Float, and retail.
Pause is a "labor-light" model positioned to go big as they are redefining the recovery space. Now is the time to get in on the opportunity, as prime territory is open nationwide!
If you are interested in learning more about Pause market availability and financial qualification requirements, reach out to me at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.
Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D
And if you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Ep. 10 - Rhino 7 ”Managed Model” Investments: 4 Franchise Investments That Can Be Fully Passive (You Heard That Right!)

Sound good to be true? That's what I initially thought, as well.
 
A "managed model" means that the corporate franchisor will manage the entire business for the franchisee, only requiring 2 hours per month of the franchisee's time once the business is up and running. Each franchisor has a corporate management team that will do everything from A to Z to get the business up and running to manage daily functions.  
 
Some highlights of the "Managed Model" structure include:
In addition to the traditional royalty, management fees range from an additional 4 to 5% of gross revenue
Hosting two 1-hour calls per month with the franchisee on details of the business, KPIs, goal setting, and Q&A
Recruiting, training, and management of the franchisees' staff
Handles bookkeeping, payroll processing, billing, and collection of fees payable to the franchisee.
Oversight of advertising, promotions, and marketing.
Real estate location and build-out for brick & mortar concepts, and more.
 
Interested to know what these four franchise brands are? Well, listen to the full podcast for a brief overview of each + more information on the "managed model" approach.
 
If you are interested in learning more about market availability and investment levels for any of these brands, reach out to me at stacie@fusionfranchising.com or 319.440.0857.
 
Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D
 
And if you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Ep. 9 - The NOW Massage. A Brand That Prides Itself On Providing A ”Luxury Experience, At An Affordable Price.”

Who doesn't love a good massage?  And a solid investment!   Jen Olson, VP of Franchise Development for The NOW Massage, joins me in this episode to provide a peek into this LA-based franchise brand, founded on the principle that self-care is a necessity, not a luxury. That is why they have developed a menu of treatments that allow for a luxury experience at an affordable price.   One of the many attractions of this business model is the aesthetics. As Jen shares, "you walk into the front door of The NOW Massage, and you feel as if you've been instantly transported back to your favorite beach resort destination, such as Cabo or Tulum. It's aspirational and inspirational, and people love the experiential side of it. 
  In partnership with a scientific lab, The NOW Massage also designs and brings to market its own proprietary line of products such as candles, oils, lotions, lip balms, etc. Furthermore, The NOW Massage co-founder and jewelry designer, Gara Post, also features some of her work in the boutiques.   As a brand that started with three corporate locations in LA and began franchising in July 2019, The NOW Massage has now awarded over 115 territories nationwide and only continues to grow. Many of their investors to date are multi-unit, semi-passive owners who have been attracted to the model due to its financial return, differentiating attributes, and manager-run boutique model.   If you are interested in learning more about The NOW Massage or any other franchise concepts, reach out to us at stacie@fusionfranchising.com, and we will be in touch!   Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D   And if you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Ep. 8 - Up Close & Personal with Serial Entrepreneur & Multi-Unit Franchise Owner Mark Sturman. And A Sneak Peek Into A New Franchise Brand Called Po...

In this episode, Mark Sturman, serial entrepreneur and multi-unit franchise owner shares his story of success in transitioning from life as a lawyer to investing in multiple franchise brands and becoming a serial entrepreneur. Mark has owned five Massage Envy's in south Florida, a European Wax franchise, and an Amazing Lash franchise studio.  So how does a lawyer come to invest in all health and beauty brands without any experience?  Well, you'll have to listen in to find out.   Not only that, but Mark gives us a "sneak peek" into a new franchise brand that he has invested in to help bring to market yet this year in 2022 called "Podpopuli."  When I asked Mark about this new venture, he responded, "I literally got chills when you asked me it." Podpopuli just happens to be where I record my podcasts, so this was an easy discussion having experience with the brand here in Palm Beach County and knowing what a fantastic investment opportunity this will become for investors nationwide here soon.   One of my favorite quotes from Mark when asking him about the risks he's taken in each of his investments and how he potentially overcame any fear is "Everything we do in life is a game. Including doing nothing.  If you have any kind of entrepreneurial spirit, you need to test the market."   If you are interested in learning more about Podpopuli or any other franchise concepts, reach out to us at stacie@fusionfranchising.com, and we will be in touch!   Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes.  https://www.instagram.com/fusionfranchising/?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg%3D   And if you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!

Ep. 7 - Nautical Bowls - A Concept Where 90% Of Its Investors Are Semi-Passive, Multi-Unit Owners!

This episode highlights a franchise brand called "Nautical Bowls," which has awarded over 100 franchises throughout the United States and has drawn strong multi-unit, semi-passive investors. Stacie's featured guest is Peter Taunton, CEO & Co-Founder of Nautical Bowls. Peter is a serial entrepreneur, having built brands such as Snap Fitness & Fitness on Demand, owning 40% of 9-Round and growing that brand internationally. Before Nautical Bowls, Peter's success with his prior three franchise brands resulted in a footprint of over 6,000 locations, spanning 28 countries! Not only that, but Peter is the author of "Impossible Hill: Discover Your Unstoppable Fire, Destroy Your Limits & Take The Hill of Your Dreams." 
 
Peter shares how he got involved with Nautical Bowls and has grown it from 2 locations in the Minneapolis area to 100+ sites nationally. But it doesn't stop there. Peter is also opening up several locations of his own in Iowa through a partnership with Chad Greenway, a former American football linebacker who spent an 11-year career with the Minnesota Vikings and played college football at Iowa before being drafted by the Vikings.
 
Some of my favorite quotes from Peter during this powerful, uplifting episode include:
 
"I only get involved with companies dropping at least $500k to the bottom line."
 
"Some of these people are like Navy Seals. They just never quit. They have grit. There's just nothing you can't ask them to do. Why? Because they had a front-row seat to the American Dream. A front row seat to what it takes to win in business, franchising, and leadership."
 
"We help people be mentally prepared to win."
 
"We don't sell franchises; we award them."