Powered by Franchising

Hosted by Laura Rolfe

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Episodes

120

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

EN-US

About the show

Powered by Franchising breaks down successful business ownership utilizing the franchise model, working for yourself but not by yourself, to create financial freedom with the power to change people’s lives.

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60 recent

September 1, 202632 min

Stop Following Your Passion: Choose the Right Business Model Instead

Love the product. Buy the business? Not so fast. One of the biggest mistakes aspiring entrepreneurs make is assuming that a business they love as a customer will also be a business they’ll love owning. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe challenges the classic advice to “follow your passion” when choosing a business. From restaurants and trendy concepts to service businesses most people would never dream of owning, Laura shares real-world stories of entrepreneurs who discovered that the right opportunity isn’t always the sexiest one. You’ll learn why the owner’s actual role matters more than the product, why “boring” businesses can be incredibly attractive, what to look for in a sustainable business model, and why due diligence should sometimes make you walk away—even from a business you love. Before you ask, “What business am I passionate about?” ask a better question: Would I love being the customer—or would I love being the owner? 🎙️ Powered by Franchising with Laura Rolfe #PoweredByFranchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #BuyABusiness #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur #BusinessOpportunity #FranchiseConsultant

August 28, 202621 min

What Does Business Ownership Really Buy You? | Freedom, Flexibility & Building a Life You Love

What does business ownership really buy you? We often measure success by revenue, profitability and ROI. But some of the most valuable returns don't show up on a P&L: time, freedom, flexibility and choices. After spending a week diving in the Sea of Cortez—swimming with whale sharks, dancing underwater with playful sea otters and discovering that many of my fellow divers were also business owners—I started thinking about a different kind of ROI. In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising , I talk about: • Why work-life flexibility may be more realistic than perfect work-life balance • The freedom business ownership can create—and why it doesn't happen overnight • Building systems, teams and a business that isn't completely dependent on you • Why lifestyle should be part of your franchise search • The question every prospective business owner should ask: “What do I want business ownership to make possible?” Business ownership isn't just about building wealth. It's about building a business—and a life—that gives you options. 🎧 Listen now and ask yourself: If you had greater financial freedom AND greater control over your time, what would you do with it? #PoweredByFranchising #BusinessOwnership #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #FinancialFreedom #WorkLifeBalance

August 26, 202633 min

From Sourdough to Success: Inside the Growth of Sourdough & Co.

What does it take to turn great food into a growing franchise brand? 🥖 On this episode of Powered by Franchising , Laura Rolfe and Kate sit down with Julie Sailers, Franchise Developer for Sourdough & Co. , to go behind the scenes of this fast-growing restaurant franchise. We talk about: 🥖 What makes Sourdough & Co. stand out in the competitive fast-casual restaurant space 📈 What's driving the brand's growth into new markets 👥 Who makes an ideal Sourdough & Co. franchise owner 🏪 The opportunity for multi-unit ownership 📍 Real estate, training, hiring, marketing and franchisee support 🔎 What candidates can expect during the franchise discovery process 💡 Julie's advice for aspiring entrepreneurs considering business ownership And yes—Kate and Laura did their own "research" at Sourdough & Co. in Chandler before the interview. The verdict? The food is amazing and validates well! If you've ever wondered what goes into building a successful restaurant franchise—or whether restaurant ownership could be right for you—this episode is for you. 🎙️ Powered by Franchising — real conversations about franchise ownership, entrepreneurship and creating a business that fits your goals. Schedule a call to learn more about franchising with Sourdough & Co. and the more than 800 brands Mint Franchise Consultants represent. www.MintFranchiseConsultants.com #PoweredByFranchising #SourdoughAndCo #FranchiseOwnership #Franchising #FranchiseOpportunities #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #RestaurantFranchise #MultiUnitFranchising #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneur

August 24, 202615 min

Discovery Day: The Most Important Day in Your Franchise Search

You've reviewed the FDD. You've talked with franchisees. You've researched the business model, investment and territory. Now it's time to meet the people behind the brand. In this episode of Powered by Franchising , I take you behind the scenes of franchise Discovery Day—one of the final and most important steps before deciding whether to become a franchise owner. I recently spent time in Boise, Idaho, with the Assisting Hands Home Care CEO, senior leadership team and franchisees. Beyond learning about the business, support and growth of the franchise system, we had the opportunity to experience the culture outside the conference room—with horseback riding, a rodeo and whitewater rafting. In this episode, I share: • What actually happens at a franchise Discovery Day • Why meeting the leadership and support teams matters • What you should be evaluating beyond the numbers • Questions every prospective franchisee should ask • Why Discovery Day is a two-way interview • How to separate the excitement of the experience from your due diligence • Why your gut AND your data should point in the same direction before you sign Remember: Discovery Day isn't about convincing the franchisor to choose you. It's about both sides deciding whether you're choosing the right partner. 🎧 Listen now—and if you're preparing for an upcoming Discovery Day, reach out to me for a complimentary copy of my Discovery Day Preparation Guide for Prospective Franchisees . #PoweredByFranchising #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #DiscoveryDay #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership

August 11, 202642 min

Inside Evive Brands: Building and Growing Home Service Franchises with Joel Lazarovitz

What makes a franchise brand scalable—and what success looks like across the home services industry? On this episode of Powered by Franchising , I sit down with Joel Lazarovitz of Evive Brands , a growing family of seven franchise brands focused on home services. We talk about Joel’s journey in franchising and take a closer look at two brands within the Evive portfolio: Maid Brigade , an established residential cleaning franchise, and Pacific Lawn Sprinklers , an irrigation and outdoor-services brand with more than four decades of operating history. Joel shares his perspective on what makes a great franchise owner, the advantages of recurring-revenue home service businesses, the importance of strong franchisor systems and support, and what Evive Brands looks for as it builds and grows its portfolio. We also explore how Maid Brigade and Pacific Lawn Sprinklers create very different paths into home service business ownership—and what prospective franchisees should consider when deciding which model best fits their skills, goals and lifestyle. If you're considering franchise ownership or interested in the continued growth of home service franchising, this is a conversation you won't want to miss. 🎙️ Powered by Franchising #PoweredByFranchising #EviveBrands #MaidBrigade #PacificLawnSprinklers #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #FranchiseOpportunities #HomeServices #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #FranchiseDevelopment

August 4, 202628 min

The Question Every Future Franchise Owner Should Ask and Why Successful Franchisees Keep Buying More

The most successful franchisees have a choice. They can stop after one business… yet many don’t. Why do they keep investing? What do they see that others miss? At a recent franchise conference, I heard from experienced franchisees—from first-time owners to multi-unit and multi-brand operators—to ask why they continue betting on franchising. Their answers reveal the mindset, strategy, and opportunities that drive long-term growth. If you’re an executive considering your next chapter, an entrepreneur looking to scale, or simply curious about why high-performing business owners continue expanding through franchising, this episode is for you. The answers may challenge what you think you know about franchise ownership. 🎙️ Listen to the latest episode of Powered by Franchising and hear directly from the people building thriving businesses through franchising. #PoweredByFranchising #Franchising #FranchiseOwnership #CEO #ExecutiveLeadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneur #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #WealthBuilding #BusinessOwner #MultiUnit #MultiBrand #ScalingUp #InvestInYourself #CareerTransition #SpotifyPodcasts #BusinessPodcast #ListenNow

July 28, 202643 min

"Repair, Don't Replace" to Building a National Franchise | Ty McBride, Founder of Preservan

Not every entrepreneur sets out to build a franchise—but Ty McBride saw an opportunity to transform a specialized home service into a scalable national brand. In this episode of Powered by Franchising , Ty shares the entrepreneurial journey behind Preservan , why "Repair, Don't Replace" is more than a business model, and how strong leadership, innovation, and culture have fueled the company's growth. This conversation is packed with practical insights, plenty of laughs, and an authentic look at what it takes to build a business that creates lasting value for customers and franchise owners alike. We discuss: ✅ How Preservan was born ✅ Building a franchise around a unique niche ✅ Leadership lessons every entrepreneur should hear ✅ Why home services continue to be one of the strongest franchise sectors ✅ Entrepreneurship Through Franchising vs. going it alone ✅ What Ty looks for in future franchise owners Whether you're exploring franchise ownership, growing a business, or simply love hearing the stories behind successful entrepreneurs, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Listen now and discover why Ty McBride is one of the most engaging voices in franchising today! #PoweredByFranchising #Preservan #TyMcBride #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #HomeServices #FranchiseOpportunities #SmallBusiness #Leadership #Entrepreneur #ScalingBusiness #RepairDontReplace #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseLife

July 7, 202635 min

From Music Lessons to Business Success: Brian Gross on Building Bach to Rock Through Franchising

What does it take to build a franchise that changes lives while creating rewarding business ownership opportunities? On this episode of Powered by Franchising , Laura Rolfe sits down with Brian Gross , CEO of Bach to Rock, to discuss how the brand is redefining music education through an innovative franchise model. Brian shares his journey with Bach to Rock, what makes the concept unique, the power of combining purpose with profitability, and the qualities that make successful franchise owners. Whether you're passionate about education, looking for a recession-resistant business, or simply curious about franchising, this conversation offers valuable insights into one of the country's leading youth enrichment brands. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Bach to Rock is transforming music education • Why franchising has fueled the brand's growth • The characteristics of successful franchise owners • Leadership lessons from nearly two decades of growth • Trends shaping the future of youth enrichment • Why purpose-driven businesses continue to thrive Interested in franchise ownership? Schedule a complimentary call at: www.MintFranchiseConsultants.com . Subscribe to Powered by Franchising wherever you listen to podcasts, and never miss an episode featuring the leaders shaping today's franchise industry. #PoweredByFranchising #MintFranchiseConsultants #BachtoRock #Franchising #FranchiseOpportunities #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneur #SmallBusiness #YouthEnrichment #MusicEducation #EducationBusiness #FranchiseLife #CEO #Leadership #Podcast #Entrepreneurship #OwnYourFuture #BusinessPodcast

June 30, 202649 min

Building Home Service Giants: Scott Sutton on Empower Brands, Multi-Brand Franchising & the Future of Business Ownership

What does it take to build one of the fastest-growing home services franchise platforms in North America? In this episode of Powered by Franchising , Laura Rolfe sits down with Scott Sutton, Chief Development Officer at Empower Brands , to discuss the vision behind bringing industry-leading brands together under one powerful platform. Scott shares how Empower Brands supports franchise owners across multiple home service industries, what makes a successful franchisee, and why home services continue to be one of the strongest sectors for entrepreneurs seeking scalable, recession-resilient businesses. Whether you're exploring franchise ownership, expanding your investment portfolio, or simply curious about the future of home services, this episode offers valuable insights from one of franchising's most respected leaders. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why home services continue to outperform many other industries • The advantages of a multi-brand franchise platform • What separates top-performing franchisees from the rest • How Empower Brands supports owners from startup through growth • Insights into brands including Archadeck Outdoor Living, Bumble Roofing, Conserva Irrigation, FRSTeam, Koala Insulation, Outdoor Lighting Perspectives, and Superior Fence & Rail • What Scott believes is next for the future of franchising If you've ever considered business ownership through franchising, this conversation is a must-listen. 🎧 To learn more about franchise ownership or schedule a complimentary consultation, visit www.MintFranchiseConsultants.com . #PoweredByFranchising #EmpowerBrands #Franchising #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #HomeServices #FranchiseOpportunity #SmallBusiness #Leadership #FranchiseConsultant #HomeServiceBusiness #OutdoorLiving #Roofing #BusinessGrowth #MintFranchiseConsultants

June 24, 202633 min

🎙️ The Business of Wellness: Franchising Success with Hand & Stone's Kristie Kalinowski

In this episode of Powered by Franchising , Laura Rolfe sits down with Kristie Kalinowski, VP of Development with Hand & Stone Massage and Facial Spa to explore one of the fastest-growing sectors in franchising: wellness. Kristie shares her journey in franchising, what makes the Hand & Stone the number one brand in the health and wellness space and why consumers continue to prioritize self-care, wellness, and recurring membership services. Whether you're exploring franchise ownership or simply interested in the booming wellness industry, this episode offers valuable insights into a brand that is helping entrepreneurs build scalable businesses while making a positive impact on their communities. Tune in to learn: ✔️ Why wellness franchises continue to thrive ✔️ What Hand & Stone looks for in franchise owners ✔️ The power of recurring revenue through memberships ✔️ Trends shaping the future of the wellness industry ✔️ Advice for aspiring franchisees Interested in exploring franchise ownership? To learn more and schedule a complimentary consultation, visit www.MintFranchiseConsultants.com . #PoweredByFranchising #HandAndStone #FranchisePodcast #WellnessBusiness #MassageTherapy #SkincareBusiness #FranchiseOwnership #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #WellnessIndustry #FranchiseConsultant #FranchiseOpportunity #RecurringRevenue #SelfCareBusiness #MintFranchiseConsultants