The Franchise Life

Welcome to The Franchise Life, where we welcome entrepreneurs, dreamers, diversifiers, and anyone looking to make a transition towards freedom and financial success. I’m Stacie Shannon. A true lover of all things “entrepreneurism.” I currently reside in Palm Beach County, Florida, and spent 21 years working in the aviation industry - until I ultimately found my true passion through business ownership! Since then, I have never looked back. I absolutely love what I do. Day in and day out, I work with individuals hoping to explore franchise ownership opportunities. In this show, you will learn more about the franchise discovery process. You’ll hear directly from entrepreneurs themselves about their successes and their struggles. We will also be highlighting some of our favorite, most successful franchise brands for you to learn more about. We’ll raise some questions, find some answers, have some laughs and perhaps even share a drink or two all while inspiring you to perhaps consid...

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Episodes

Tuesday Oct 25, 2022

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!

Tuesday Oct 18, 2022

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!

Tuesday Oct 11, 2022

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!

Tuesday Oct 04, 2022

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!

Tuesday Sep 27, 2022

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."

Tuesday Sep 20, 2022

4Ever Young Anti-Aging co-founders Carlton Washington and Deniz Duygulu share their story on collectively building the 4Ever Young Anti-Aging brand from a conceptual idea to now having awarded 78 franchise licenses nationwide. What an empowering journey these two have had! Having no medical background, they ventured into unchartered territory by being consumers of these services and having the "passion" and "grit" to make their dreams come true.   Storm Miller from the Rep'M group also joins us, who assists with franchise development of the 4Ever Young Anti-Aging brand. Storm shares some of the top markets they want to penetrate, such as Atlanta, Las Vegas, Nashville, Charlotte, Phoenix, Dallas, and many more.   4Ever Young Anti-Aging is a concept that started with a single location in Boca Raton, FL, in 2014 and focused on helping its patients "look your best" and feel your best." A sampling of 4-Ever Young's services includes Hormone Replacement Therapy, Testosterone Therapy, Botox/Dysport, Hydrafacials, Body Sculpting/CoolSculpting, Microneedling, IV Vitamin Infusions, and many more.   If you are interested in the 4Ever Young Anti-Aging concept and want to check available territory in your area, reach out to us at stacie@fusionfranchising.com, and we'll be in touch!   Please give us a follow on Instagram @fusionfranchising for future episodes. https://instagram.com/fusionfranchising?igshid=NmNmNjAwNzg=   And if you liked this episode, please give us a 5-star rating wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts!   

Tuesday Sep 13, 2022

In this episode, Stacie introduces With A Twist Event Services, which provides expert bartenders, event staff, and planning for parties of any size. With A Twist's team is fully trained and insured with liquor liability and general liability policies. They handle everything needed for full bar service, including specialty drink design, alcohol ordering or support, set up of the entire bar, all equipment required, and all supplies like mixers, ice, napkins, straws, cups, and talented, experienced staff. Talk about a fun concept! Joining Stacie is With A Twist's co-founder Tom Stemple and With A Twist franchisee Joe Brunner, who owns the states of Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska. Tom provides insight into how this business is truly a technology-based company specializing in bartending services but is slated to expand into other verticals in 2023, which will provide significant growth for the company. With 60% margins to the bottom line, Joe is looking to expand into other markets beyond the three he currently owns! Why? Well, listen in, and you'll find out!

Tuesday Sep 06, 2022

In this episode, Stacie introduces a vending business opportunity called "HealthyYou Vending." Joining her is Andre Barrett, who launched his vending business in 2013 with five machines and has since scaled it to 110 machines across southern Florida. What a fantastic success story!   Also joining Stacie is Peter Hanseen from HealthyYou Vending, who shares insights into the investment level, the support HealthyYou provides its owners, and how this model differs from a "franchise" investment. Yep, you heard that right. HealthyYou Vending is not a franchise. Listen in to learn more!

Tuesday Aug 30, 2022

In this episode, Stacie introduces an emerging brand positioned to make waves in the franchise pet industry called "Woofie's Pet Ventures!" She welcomes guests Jamie Lavigne, Franchise Development Manager for Woofie's Pet Ventures, and new franchisee Randy Griffin, who has launched his own Woofie's Pet Ventures business in Kansas City. With 70% of US households having pets and Americans spending over $100 billion yearly on them, the pet industry tends to be an excellent area for investors to consider when looking for a recession-resistant business model with multiple revenue streams!

Tuesday Aug 23, 2022

If you desire to make a difference in your community and have strong leadership and sales skills, then today's episode is for you. Today we dive deeply into a franchise concept called "Fundraising University" with our special guest, Steve Schick, who oversees franchise development. We will discuss how this highly scalable and repeatable revenue model (93% customer retention) requires few employees, has exceptional unit economics, and makes a difference in 8,000+ schools nationwide.

2022, Stacie Shannon, All Rights Reserved

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