Stars of Franchising

Hosted by Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

“How do I find and choose the right franchise opportunity?” “How do I overcome the obstacles and bounce back from the setbacks?” “How do I achieve the scale I’m after?” Join hosts Ab Igram and Vini Onyemah to learn from the global pioneers, innovators, and visionaries who are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams through the franchise business model. New episodes every other week.

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56 recent

October 26, 202640 min

Ty McBride: Building a Franchise Around Preservation, Purpose & Partnership

What does it take to turn a personal passion into a scalable franchise while staying true to the mission that inspired it? In this episode of Stars of Franchising , Ab Igram speaks with Ty McBride, founder of Preservan , about his entrepreneurial journey from historic restoration to building a growing home-services franchise. Ty traces his connection to restoration back to working in his family’s home-building business and rebuilding homes following devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma. Those experiences helped him see restoration as more than a service. It became a way to preserve what people already have and create meaningful impact in local communities. After launching a highly specialized historic window and door restoration business, Ty began looking for a way to take that mission further. Learning about franchising changed his perspective on what scaling could look like. But Ty’s philosophy isn’t simply about selling more territories. He views franchise development as talent recruitment , with franchisor and franchisee building the business together. That perspective influences everything from franchisee selection and training to technology, support, and innovation. Ty and Ab also explore how Preservan approached its early growth deliberately, first testing the model with franchisees who had relevant technical and business experience and proving the concept across Oklahoma, Florida, and North Carolina before expanding further. Key Takeaways Franchising works best when franchisor and franchisee view success as shared . Scaling doesn't have to mean growing as quickly as possible. Selecting the right people matters. A franchise system needs more than a strong product or service. It needs repeatable support systems that make running the business easier. Franchisees can bring significant expertise and innovation into a system. AI can help emerging businesses test, learn, and implement ideas faster . Entrepreneurs shouldn’t wait to seek out mentors and people who have already traveled the path they are pursuing. As Ty puts it, “A rising tide raises all ships.”

August 31, 2026Episode 181 hr 0 min

Brooke Budke, Founder & CEO of Momentum Brands

What happens when you combine franchise growth strategy, authentic leadership, consumer psychology, and relentless self-awareness? On the latest episode of Stars of Franchising , I sat down with Brooke Budke , Founder & CEO of Momentum Brands and former President of Title Boxing Club. Brooke shared an incredible journey from copywriter to franchise executive, helping scale a brand from roughly 30 locations to more than 200, before launching a consulting firm dedicated to helping franchise brands grow smarter and faster. Some of my favorite insights: ✅ Trust is the real currency of franchising. ✅ Franchisees don't just invest money. They invest trust in your leadership. ✅ You don't have to be the expert in everything, but you do need to know your customer better than anyone else. ✅ The future belongs to brands creating authentic, real-world experiences as consumers seek deeper human connection. ✅ Progress creates momentum, and momentum creates growth. Brooke's perspective on leadership, culture, growth, and personal development is both refreshing and deeply practical. Thank you, Brooke, for sharing your story and inspiring our audience. 🎙️ Listen to the full episode of Stars of Franchising wherever you get your podcasts. #StarsOfFranchising #Franchising #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #MomentumBrands #FranchiseGrowth #BabsonCollege #TFFI

August 12, 2026Episode 1934 min

Omar Soliman, Co-Founder and CEO of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving

🚛 From a high school detention room to building one of the most recognized franchise brands in North America. In the latest episode of Stars of Franchising, we sat down with Omar Soliman, Co-Founder and CEO of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, to discuss the entrepreneurial journey behind a brand that grew from a borrowed van and a clever name to more than 200 franchise locations. Omar shares candid lessons on: ✅ Turning an idea into a scalable business ✅ Building a franchise system from the ground up ✅ Why culture is the true engine of growth ✅ The importance of complementary co-founders ✅ Navigating conflict as a leader ✅ Leveraging AI to improve customer experience and operational efficiency ✅ Why "Resourcefulness Quotient (RQ)" may be just as important as IQ and EQ One of my favorite insights: "The folks that are going to be successful are the ones with a high level of RQ, Resourcefulness Quotient. Are you able to take action and move the ball forward using the resources around you?" Omar's story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial success rarely happens overnight. As he puts it, College HUNKS is a "20-year overnight success." 🎧 Listen now to hear how grit, leadership, culture, and resourcefulness helped build a franchise powerhouse. #StarsOfFranchising #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CollegeHUNKS #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseLeadership #TFFI #BabsonCollege #Founders #Innovation

July 30, 2026Episode 1929 min

Rebakah Irvine, CEO + Founder of bex+Co. Salons

Some of the best conversations I've had with beauty professionals start the same way. "I want to work for myself... I just don't want to feel alone." I understand that. Building your own business is exciting, but it also comes with challenges that people outside our industry don't always see. That's why I believe the future of beauty isn't about choosing between independence and community. It's about creating spaces where beauty professionals can have both. When you surround yourself with people who understand your journey, independence feels a whole lot different. ✨ #bexandCo #beautyindustry #entrepreneurship #sharedworkspacesalon #womeninbusiness

July 8, 2026Episode 1745 min

Joseph Attia: Seasoned Entrepreneur, Franchise Owner, and Value Growth Advisor

Building a business isn’t just about revenue—it’s about creating lasting value, empowering your team, and preparing for what’s next. Whether you’re scaling, planning your exit, or simply striving for balance, this mindset transforms your journey. #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Franchising #BusinessGrowth #Inspiration In this episode of Stars of Franchising, hosts Ab Igram and Vini Onyemah sit down with Joseph Attia , a seasoned entrepreneur, franchise owner, and value growth advisor. Joseph shares his journey from accidental franchisee to multi-unit operator and consultant, offering candid insights into what it really takes to succeed in franchising and business ownership1. Key Topics & Takeaways: Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship: Joseph’s core motivation is caring for family and “paying it forward” by helping other business owners scale, balance, and eventually exit their businesses. The Franchise Journey: From his wife’s first Orange Theory Fitness class to opening multiple units, Joseph discusses the realities of franchise ownership—including the importance of due diligence, understanding royalties, and the difference between “business in a box” and true entrepreneurship. Scaling & Exiting: Joseph explains why planning your exit from day one is crucial, and how to build a business that is transferable, sustainable, and predictable. Leadership & Team Building: The “5M Model” (Model, Mentor, Monitor, Motivate, Multiply) for developing teams and creating a culture of growth and accountability.

June 24, 2026Episode 1636 min

Stacy Bahrenfuss, Founder of Soul Charge

In this episode of Stars of Franchising , Stacy Bahrenfuss—founder of Soul Charge—shares a powerful perspective on leadership, growth, and sustainability in franchising and entrepreneurship. Drawing from her journey from real estate success to inner transformation, Stacy challenges traditional definitions of success and highlights the unseen emotional and mental costs of scaling. This conversation explores how leaders can build high-performing businesses without sacrificing their well-being , emphasizing alignment, intentionality, and internal clarity as the true drivers of external results. What if the biggest thing holding your business back… is your internal state? Just wrapped an incredible Stars of Franchising episode with Stacy Bahrenfuss, and one idea really stood out: 👉 “Internal state first. External results always respond.” In franchising and entrepreneurship, we talk nonstop about growth—units, revenue, expansion… But we don’t talk enough about the hidden cost of scaling: • The pressure leaders carry • The misalignment that starts at the top • The burnout that quietly builds during growth Stacy challenged the traditional playbook with a simple but powerful shift: ✅ Success isn’t about doing more ✅ It’s about aligning more Some key takeaways for franchise leaders: • Your energy and clarity set the tone for your entire system • Growth breakdowns often start with misalignment at the beginning • The best leaders are intentional about how they show up—not just what they do And one of my favorites: 👉 We need to move from “I win through sacrifice” to “I win because I’m aligned.” If you’re scaling a brand (or thinking about it), this episode is a must-listen. #Franchising #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Scaling #Mindset #TFFI #Babson

June 10, 2026Episode 1542 min

Jamie Lavigne, Ever Smith Brands

“You have to choose your hard—and then embrace it.” On the latest episode of Stars of Franchising , we sit down with Jamie Lavigne—franchise development leader at Ever Smith Brands—to dig into what separates great franchisors from the rest. With nearly two decades of experience across legacy and emerging brands, Jamie shares candid insights into the franchising journey—from how the best franchisors build strong support systems and evolve their training, to the critical importance of transparency, due diligence, and unit economics. She also pulls back the curtain on franchise development, describing it not as selling—but as guiding candidates through a structured process to determine true fit. Along the way, Jamie challenges common misconceptions, highlights the risks of being “too entrepreneurial” in a franchise system, and explains why understanding how you might fail is just as important as knowing how to succeed. Listeners will walk away with practical advice on evaluating franchise opportunities, building resilience, and embracing the reality that entrepreneurship—whether independent or franchised—is never easy, but deeply rewarding when approached the right way. Jamie also holds a position on the Board of Directors of NEFA: https://newenglandfranchiseassociation.com

May 26, 2026Episode 1442 min

David Owasi: Systems, Speed, and Scale: Applying AI in Franchise Operations

How can franchise systems leverage artificial intelligence to enhance operational consistency while improving financial performance? In this episode, David Owasi offers a systems-oriented perspective on AI adoption in franchising, emphasizing the importance of structured processes and rapid lead engagement. The conversation explores how AI-driven tools can reinforce established playbooks, reduce variability across units, and enable franchisees to capture opportunities that would otherwise be lost due to capacity constraints. Owasi also discusses implementation strategies, including pilot programs, franchisor-led standardization, and tiered adoption models. The episode concludes with reflections on the enduring importance of systems thinking in franchising, particularly as AI becomes an integral component of operational infrastructure. “We don’t rise to the level of our goals—we fall to the level of our systems.” –David Owasi

May 12, 2026Episode 1341 min

Aaron Harper, Rolling Suds Founder & Chairman

“Everything I do, personally and professionally, is to enhance the lives of my family.” – Aaron Harper In this episode, Aaron Harper shares a deeply personal and practical perspective on franchising, scaling, and leadership. Grounded in family, purpose, and discipline, Aaron walks through what it really takes to build a fast‑growing franchise system—financially, emotionally, and structurally. From pre‑investing millions before launch to “firing yourself” as the business evolves, Aaron offers an unfiltered look at sustainable growth in franchising.

April 14, 2026Episode 1232 min

Elyse Lupin - Elysium Marketing Group

Elyse (Elysium Marketing Group) shares how she built and scaled a franchise-focused marketing agency—why she chose franchising, what franchise development marketing requires, and how she leads a high-trust team while using AI as an efficiency tool (not a substitute for judgment). “Entrepreneurship is not a straight line… everything in this journey is just a phase. So you’ve gotta push through that phase, and then you get to the next part.” -Elyse Lupin

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