The Franchise Woman

Hosted by Rebecca Monet

Business Entrepreneurship EducationInterviews guests

Website RSS feed LinkedIn

Episodes

100

Latest episode

Jun 2026

Language

About the show

Welcome to The Franchise Woman podcast: Where Passion and Purpose Collide. We are on a mission to interview women (and the occasional man) about how their passion and purpose have collided to create healthy relationships and profitable businesses. We are sponsored by Zorakle Profiles. Zorakle Profiles provides profiling tools to franchisors and franchise brokers which help facilitate a right-fit between a prospective franchisee and franchise concepts.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

June 10, 202639 min

From DIY Childhood Lessons to Franchise Success with Kim Collier

What happens when a childhood built on responsibility, resilience, and "figuring it out" turns into a thriving franchise brand focused on early childhood education? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Kim Collier, Chief Development Officer of Ducklings Early Learning Center, to discuss how empowering children, embracing messes, and fostering independence can shape stronger families, communities, and businesses. Kim shares the incredible story behind Ducklings Early Learning Center — from her mother launching the first center in 1994 after a local childcare program closed, to franchising the concept and growing toward 22 locations. She opens up about leadership, mindset, working alongside family, and balancing heart-centered purpose with business profitability. This episode explores: Why children learn best through sensory play and exploration The long-term impact of overprotective parenting Building confidence by teaching responsibility early How purpose-driven franchise brands can still prioritize profitability What Ducklings looks for in ideal franchise owners The importance of honesty, trust, and family dynamics in leadership Creating meaningful community connections through childcare Kim's passion for early childhood education and franchise leadership shines throughout this heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Subscribe for more conversations where passion and purpose collide, profits are made, and relationships are forged. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #WomenInBusiness #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Ducklings #FranchiseLeadership #PurposeDrivenBusiness

June 3, 202641 min

How Jodi Elliot Built Purpose-Driven Franchises & Gave Back in Extraordinary Ways

What if success wasn't just about profit—but about purpose? This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Jodi Elliot shares an incredible journey of building businesses rooted in impact, integrity, and service. From donating a kidney to a complete stranger to building and scaling two franchise businesses—Mosquito Joe and Wonderly Lights—Jodi exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. Her philosophy is simple: if you're in a position to help, you should. In this episode, we explore: ✔️ How purpose-driven leadership creates stronger teams and better results ✔️ The power of aligning business decisions with personal integrity ✔️ Building a loyal, engaged workforce through shared ownership and trust ✔️ Why giving back can fuel both personal fulfillment and business success ✔️ Opportunities for women in home services and franchising With 27+ years in corporate finance and operations, Jodi now blends business acumen with compassion—proving that success and impact can go hand in hand. EndKidneyDeathsAct.org Becoming a Living Donor | National Kidney Foundation Volunteer in Panama: Empower Communities with Give and Surf 🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share. #JodiElliot #MosquitoJoe #WonderlyLights #FranchiseLeadership #WomenInFranchising #TheFranchiseWoman #ZorakleProfiles

May 27, 202639 min

From Employee to Franchise Owner: Sofia Bongard's Journey to Freedom & Purpose

What does it really take to go from employee to business owner—and build a life around freedom, purpose, and passion? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and co-host Tracy Kawa sit down with Sofia Bongard, franchise owner of Bookskeeping San Diego East, to explore her inspiring journey from Mexico City to entrepreneurship in the U.S. Sofia shares how she went from being the very first employee of her company to becoming a successful franchise owner—and why she initially said no to the opportunity before realizing it was exactly what she needed. In this conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur ✔️ Why franchising can be the perfect fit for highly skilled professionals ✔️ How freedom and discipline coexist in business ownership ✔️ The power of mentorship and unconditional support ✔️ Why passion—not money—is Sofia's driving force ✔️ A refreshing perspective on success, failure, and "just doing it" Sofia's story is honest, relatable, and filled with real-world insights for anyone considering business ownership—especially women looking for flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. 🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, watch, download, and share. #TheFranchiseWoman #FranchiseOwnership #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ZorakleProfiles #SmallBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #FranchiseLife

May 20, 202641 min

Jenna Law on Brand Growth, Leadership & Scaling Keke's Breakfast Cafe

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jenna Law, Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at Keke's Breakfast Cafe. Jenna is a powerhouse marketing leader who built Keke's marketing function from the ground up—transforming a beloved regional brand into a scalable, high-growth franchise system. With experience spanning creative agencies, Fortune 500 brands, and restaurant marketing, Jenna brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build a brand that resonates—and scales. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to build a brand from scratch (without losing its authenticity) ✔️ Why "generalists" often make the best leaders ✔️ The secret to turning a brand voice into a brand megaphone ✔️ How to lead through uncertainty and constant change ✔️ Why people-first thinking drives better marketing decisions ✔️ How strong teams are built through complementary strengths Jenna also shares powerful insights on leadership, confidence, and what it means to "bedazzle your own box"—a reminder to embrace your unique strengths rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold. If you're a franchisor, marketer, or leader navigating growth and change, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. 🎧 Watch now and discover how to build a brand—and a team—that truly stands out.

May 13, 202641 min

Jamie Cecil & Elizabeth Brasch: Scaling Mellow Mushroom Without Losing Its Identity

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jamie Cecil, VP of Franchise Development, and Elizabeth Brasch, EVP of Marketing at Mellow Mushroom—one of the most iconic and unconventional brands in the restaurant franchise space. With over 50 years of history and 160+ locations, Mellow Mushroom has built a brand that thrives on individuality, creativity, and consistency where it matters most. So how do you scale a franchise without becoming cookie-cutter? In this conversation, Jamie and Elizabeth break down what they call "freedom within a framework"—a model that allows each location to be unique while maintaining brand standards in food quality, service, and operations. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: How Mellow Mushroom balances brand consistency with local creativity Why food quality and core systems remain non-negotiable The concept of "freedom within a framework" in franchising How a 50+ year brand stays relevant in a rapidly changing market The challenges of scaling a brand that was built on individuality How modern marketing cuts through noise in today's saturated environment You'll also hear how their rebrand strategy helped strengthen recognition while preserving the brand's unique identity—and why not every part of a franchise should be standardized. If you're a franchisor, franchisee, or entrepreneur thinking about growth, brand identity, and long-term scalability, this episode is a must-watch. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on franchising, leadership, and growth. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #MellowMushroom #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantIndustry #BrandStrategy

May 6, 202638 min

Dominique Main: Why Franchise Growth Depends on Hiring Right

In this powerful episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Dominique Main, President of HireNetix and a 20-year franchise industry veteran. Dominique has seen franchising from every angle — franchise development, operations, sales, and executive leadership. But one defining moment changed her trajectory forever: A franchisee's family was devastated by financial stress tied to business struggles — and Dominique realized something profound: Franchisors can't grow if franchisees can't hire. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What "responsible franchising" really means ✔️ The two biggest objections franchise candidates have ✔️ How conversational AI reduces hiring time from 12 days to 4 ✔️ Why traditional applicant tracking systems are failing Gen Z ✔️ How franchisors can support hiring without crossing joint employer lines ✔️ Why mindset, humility, and grit are essential in leadership HireNetix uses conversational AI to screen and schedule job candidates in minutes — saving operators 5–15 hours per week and giving multi-unit franchisees a true competitive edge. If you're a franchisor or multi-unit franchisee concerned about staffing, retention, and scalability, this conversation is a must-watch. #TheFranchiseWoman #ResponsibleFranchising #AIHiring #FranchiseGrowth #WomenInFranchising #Leadership #MultiUnit

April 29, 202644 min

Angela Olea & Liberty Bernal: AI, Influencers & the Future of Franchise Marketing

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with powerhouse leaders Angela Olea and Liberty Bernal, the visionary team behind Sweet Influencers. Angela, former founder and CEO of Assisted Living Locators, shares how a chance airplane conversation sparked a bold pivot into AI-powered influencer marketing for franchising. Liberty, President & COO, explains how their partnership blends strategy, operations, and innovation to disrupt local marketing at scale. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What influencer marketing really means (and what it's not) ✔️ Why franchisees are the most powerful local influencers ✔️ How AI + human strategy create scalable, measurable campaigns ✔️ The biggest misconceptions franchisors have about influencer marketing ✔️ How to match the right influencer to the right audience ✔️ Why evolving as a leader is essential for growth Sweet Influencers is the first AI-powered influencer marketing platform built by franchisors for franchisors — helping brands scale authentic, measurable local marketing through trusted voices. If you're a franchisor looking to drive franchisee revenue and strengthen brand alignment, this episode is a must-watch. #TheFranchiseWoman #Franchising #InfluencerMarketing #AIinMarketing #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #FranchiseGrowth

April 22, 202635 min

From Military Service to Franchise Success: Felice Parker on Why Support Drives Growth

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Felice Parker — U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and franchise owner of PostNet in the Philadelphia area. After 27 years in the military and more than 16 years running her own childcare business, Felice transitioned into franchising — bringing with her a systems-driven mindset, servant leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting others. In this powerful conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ Why veterans thrive in franchising ✔️ How military systems translate seamlessly into franchise ownership ✔️ The surprising key to business growth (hint: it's not profit-focused) ✔️ Why "just be nice" is a competitive advantage ✔️ How modeling leadership shapes team culture ✔️ The power of asking for support — not just giving it Felice shares how her people-first mindset fuels word-of-mouth growth and creates loyal customers who feel known, valued, and supported. If you're a veteran exploring business ownership — or a woman considering franchising — this episode is a must-listen. #TheFranchiseWoman #WomenInBusiness #VeteranEntrepreneur #Franchising #PostNet #Leadership #ServantLeadership #CustomerService

April 15, 202643 min

The Swiss Army Knife of Franchising: Leadership, Pivoting & Paying It Forward

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Tracey Walsh, Chief Administrative Officer of Legacy Franchise Concepts and strategic leader behind the rapid growth of SweatHouz. Tracey shares how she built her career from the ground up in emerging franchise brands — learning real estate, construction, operations, franchise sales, and leadership along the way. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔️ Why "listening" is the #1 trait she looks for in leaders ✔️ How emerging brands teach you to pivot quickly ✔️ The power of building relationships that last decades ✔️ Why smaller, multi-unit franchise models can scale smarter ✔️ What it really means to be a Chief Administrative Officer ✔️ How generosity and mentorship create long-term success With nearly 100 locations and counting at SweatHouz, Tracey offers practical insights for franchisors, franchisees, and executives navigating growth in today's fast-moving world. If you're in franchising — or aspire to lead at a high level — this episode is a masterclass in adaptability, emotional intelligence, and sustainable growth. #TheFranchiseWoman #Franchising #Leadership #WomenInBusiness #ExecutiveLeadership #SweatHouz #LegacyFranchiseConcepts

April 8, 202643 min

From Dancer to Top Franchise Owner: Ally Collinsworth on Why Barre Won

In this inspiring episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Dallas-based entrepreneur Ally Collinsworth, owner of one of the top-performing studios in The Bar Method system. Ally shares her journey from dancer and commercial producer to franchise owner — and the strategic decision that led her to choose barre over Pilates. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why ROI made barre the smarter investment ✔️ How class capacity impacts profitability ✔️ The financial realities of equipment-heavy models ✔️ Why low-impact fitness is booming ✔️ How community culture drives retention and growth ✔️ What it takes to scale — and when to let go If you're exploring franchise ownership — especially in fitness — this episode is packed with real-world insights. Interested in learning more about The Bar Method franchise opportunities? Visit the brand website or connect with Ally directly at whiterocklake@barmethod.com. #TheFranchiseWoman #BarMethod #FranchiseOwnership #WomenInBusiness #FitnessFranchise #Entrepreneurship #LowImpactFitness