Kickstart My Franchise Podcast

Hosted by Tim Michaels

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Episodes

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-US

About the show

Welcome to the podcast that’s revolutionizing how you explore and invest in franchises. We offer 100% free, expert franchise selection advice, connecting you with over 800 top brands across industries. Plus, discover how our exclusive cash-back program can save you up to $10,000! Tune in for insider tips, industry trends, and everything you need to confidently start your franchise journey.

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58 recent

August 12, 2026Episode 5030 min

Oil Changes on Wheels: The Business Behind Champion Lube & Repair | Ep 50

What happens when you take a traditional oil change business out of the shop and bring it directly to commercial fleets? In this episode of the Kickstart My Franchise Podcast, Tim Michaels sits down with Adam Smith, Founder & CEO of Champion Lube & Repair, to unpack the business model behind a fully mobile, B2B-focused automotive service company. Adam shares how his background as a technician led him to build Champion Lube & Repair, why the company focuses on commercial fleets rather than individual consumers, and how mobile preventative maintenance can solve a major problem for businesses that depend on their vehicles.If you're researching franchise opportunities, automotive franchises, mobile businesses, or B2B service businesses, this conversation offers a look at how Champion Lube & Repair has structured its model. Subscribe to Kickstart My Franchise for more conversations with franchise founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners.👉 https://www.kickstartmyfranchise.com📅 Interested in exploring franchise ownership or finding the right business opportunity?Book a FREE consultation with Kickstart My Franchise to learn more about your options. 🚀https://bit.ly/4dZfkIb

July 30, 2026Episode 4944 min

How Smart Business Owners Are Building Global Teams | Satellite Teams – Ep 49

Thinking about owning a business in the rapidly growing global workforce industry? In this episode of Kickstart My Franchise, we sit down with Matt Martin, Founder of Satellite Teams, and Tammy Romage, Chief Growth Officer, to break down how the business works, who it's designed for, and why more entrepreneurs are exploring this franchise opportunity.Thank You for Watching!

July 23, 2026Episode 4423 min

Is Pilates Just a Trend? VibeHouse Founder Weighs In | Vibe House Pilates – Ep 48

Is Pilates just another fitness trend, or is it a category that's here to stay? In this episode, we sit down with Rosalie Black, Founder & CEO of Vibe House Pilates, to discuss how a personal frustration with juggling multiple gym memberships turned into an emerging boutique fitness franchise. From the evolution of Pilates to what makes Vibe House different from traditional studios, Rosalie shares the lessons she learned while building a concept centered around community, wellness, and customer experience. Whether you're interested in entrepreneurship, boutique fitness, franchising, or simply curious about why Pilates continues to gain momentum, this conversation offers practical insights from a founder building a modern fitness brand. 👇 We'd love to hear from you: Do you think Pilates is a lasting fitness category, or just another trend? Share your thoughts in the comments.

July 23, 2026Episode 4731 min

Turning Fall Prevention Into a High-Yield Franchise | TruBlue Home Service Ally – Ep 47

In this episode, we sit down with Sean Fitzgerald, President of TruBlue Home Service Ally, to discuss the booming "aging in place" market and how he scaled a low-overhead franchise model to over 160 territories. Sean shares why traditional handyman services leave a dangerous void for older adults, how they've built a professionalized team-retention model, and why the medical community is actively seeking partnerships with them. Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur looking for a low-overhead investment under $100k, or someone passionate about making a real impact in your local community, this conversation is packed with actionable insights on scaling a relationship-driven business.

July 23, 2026Episode 4631 min

Can a Tutoring Center Really Generate Seven Figures? | Studyville - Ep 46

The traditional schooling system is struggling, and Kumon or Mathnasium aren't built to fix it. Enter Amanda Martin, Founder and CEO of Studyville—an elevated, co-working style academic workspace that is completely reshaping how middle and high schoolers learn, study, and socialize. In this episode, we sit down with Amanda to unpack how she turned her personal frustrations as a mom into a powerhouse franchise pulling in high-revenue potential per location. From navigating the complex world of ESA funding to launching lucrative daytime micro-schools and implementing zero-tolerance safety policies ("The Fast Way"), Amanda shares the exact playbook that allows Studyville to blow traditional tutoring centers out of the water. Whether you're an entrepreneur looking for your next high-yield franchise investment or a parent looking for a better alternative to the local library, this conversation will show you the opportunity in modernizing an industry.

July 22, 2026Episode 4434 min

From Harvard to Franchising: Building Taste Buds Kitchen from Scratch | Taste Buds Kitchen - Ep 44

What does it take to turn cooking classes into a scalable franchise? In this episode of the Kickstart My Franchise Podcast, we sit down with Jessi Brelsford, founder and CEO of Taste Buds Kitchen, to unpack how she built a category-defining culinary entertainment franchise after leaving Wall Street. Jessi breaks down the Taste Buds Kitchen business model from the balance of kids vs. adult classes to staffing structure, investment expectations, and what franchisees actually do day-to-day. If you're exploring franchise ownership, looking for family-focused concepts, or curious how experience-based brands scale, this episode delivers a clear inside look at the economics, operations, and growth strategy behind Taste Buds Kitchen.

June 4, 2026Episode 4526 min

Smart Vending Machines, Smarter Investments? | SmartMarket Solutions - Ep 45

Are you looking for a calculated exit strategy from corporate America, but hesitant to take on the massive overhead, royalties, or operational headaches of a traditional franchise? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Marsh, co-founder of Smart Market Solutions, to look under the hood of a unique automated retail model. If you have spent decades climbing the corporate ladder, the last thing you want to do in your next venture is babysit a large staff or trade a 40-hour grind for a 60-hour headache. Jeff breaks down how modern micro-market technology allows professionals to scale a tangible asset part-time while maintaining complete control over their calendar. Key topics covered in this episode: • Franchise vs. Business Opportunity: Understanding the structural differences • How computer vision AI is changing unit economics in retail • Location strategies: Finding high-traffic placements • Baseline capital requirements and SBA financing options • The operational reality: Running an asset with zero employees 👇 Ready to map out your own corporate exit strategy? Click the link below to book a confidential discovery call. #CorporateExit #FranchiseConsultant #BusinessOpportunity #AutomatedRetail #SmartInvesting #PassiveIncome #TimeFreedom

February 4, 2026Episode 4327 min

$75K in 30 Days: Inside a First-Month Franchise Launch | Waterloo Turf - Episode 43

What does it really take to launch a franchise and generate $75,000 in your first month? In this episode of Kickstart My Franchise, host Tim Michaels sits down with Hunter Knowles, owner of Waterloo Turf Boise, to break down how he launched his business and hit $75K in month one — even at the end of peak season. Hunter shares: • His transition from medical sales and law enforcement into franchise ownership • Why he chose Waterloo Turf • How the low-overhead, subcontractor model works • Residential vs commercial revenue opportunities • How he built reliable installer crews fast • His daily operations as a franchise owner • The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur • Market timing and scalability in home services If you're exploring: franchise ownership • home services • scalable business models • entrepreneurship • low-overhead businesses • franchise investing • service businesses This episode is for you.

January 20, 2026Episode 4220 min

The Unsexy Business With Shockingly Low Overhead and Low Competition | Roamin Restrooms Episdoe 42

In this episode of the Kickstart My Franchise podcast, we sit down with Angela Spencer, founder of Roamin Restrooms, a luxury restroom trailer brand redefining an overlooked corner of the events and construction industry. Angela shares her journey from corporate America to franchising, why she intentionally chose a “boring, unsexy” business, and how identifying gaps in customer service and competition led to a scalable franchise model. We dive into why luxury restroom trailers are replacing porta-potties, how the business is designed to run with low overhead and minimal staffing, and what makes Roamin Restrooms a franchise built by franchisees, for franchisees. The conversation also covers franchise startup costs, financing options, operations after events, marketing and lead generation, and how this business can be run as a side hustle or scaled into a long-term asset. We dive into: • Why luxury restroom trailers are becoming the new standard • A low-overhead franchise model with no required employees or storefront • How poor competition and slow response times create opportunity • Franchise investment range, financing options, and scalability potential

December 23, 2025Episode 4125 min

Inside JunkStart: The First Pay-By-Weight Junk Removal Franchise | JunkStart - Episdoe 41

In this episode of the Kickstart My Franchise podcast, we sit down with Daniel McCarty, founder of JunkStart, a pioneering junk removal brand built on a pay-by-weight pricing model. Daniel shares his entrepreneurial journey, how his background in the waste industry led to a major business model breakthrough, and why transparency in pricing has become a competitive advantage. We dive into JunkStart’s innovative weighing system, the shift toward commercial-first clients, and how the brand has built defensible moats in a traditionally commoditized industry. The conversation also covers franchise startup costs, team structure, marketing strategies, and what it takes to scale a junk removal business with long-term enterprise value in mind. We dive into: • The pay-by-weight model eliminates arbitrary pricing and enhances customer trust. • Over half of Junk Start's revenue comes from commercial clients, focusing on B2B relationships. • The company uses a proprietary weighing system to provide transparent pricing to customers. • Daniel emphasizes the importance of building competitive moats in the junk removal industry.