Welcome to the latest episode of Empire Builders! Today, Tommy Yionoulis hosts Catherine Knabb, an independent franchise consultant with over 30 years of experience across various industries. Catherine shares her insights into franchise consulting, the importance of informed decision-making, and the unique challenges faced by prospective franchisees.

Key Points Discussed:

Introduction to Catherine Knabb:

• Catherine's extensive experience spanning industries such as poultry, conglomerate foods, the payment industry, and hospitals.
• Her role as an independent franchise consultant, helping clients find the right franchise opportunities from over 500 brands across 40 categories.
• Emphasis on educating clients about franchising and guiding them through the selection process.

Franchise Consulting and Client Support:

• Catherine’s process of narrowing down suitable franchise options and conducting interviews with existing franchisees to ensure informed decisions.
• Her investment in Networking Action, a franchise that facilitates networking groups for business owners and representatives.
• Networking Action’s unique approach involving deep, meaningful conversations and hands-on activities to address business challenges.

The Franchise Selection Process:

• The diversity of brands Catherine works with, including well-known home services like CertaPro and Amco Transmission, as well as new and emerging brands.
• The benefits of franchising, such as a proven formula and support system, which reduce the risks associated with starting a business from scratch.
• The importance of understanding the responsibilities that come with owning a franchise.

Personality Profiling and Risk Assessment:

• Use of tools like the Bank system and the Zorical tool to ensure a good match between clients and franchises.
• The significance of adhering to these assessments to avoid costly mistakes and achieve success in franchising.

Challenges in the Franchise Industry:

• Issues of spam and overwhelming follow-up calls once potential franchisees submit their contact information to franchise brands.
• The drawback of being precluded from using a consultant for a brand once information is submitted, without incurring additional costs.
• Catherine’s advocacy for using a franchise consultant to manage interactions and protect prospective franchisees.

Transitioning from Corporate to Franchise Consulting:

• Catherine’s challenges in transitioning from a corporate role to franchise consulting, particularly in sales.
• The mindset shift required to succeed in sales and overcoming perfectionism.
• The steep learning curve of familiarizing herself with numerous brands and the unpredictable nature of running one’s own business.

Importance of Honesty and Direct Communication in Sales:

• The frustration caused by prospects who are indecisive or avoid straightforwardly rejecting an offer.
• Catherine’s struggle with not wanting to be an imposition and the necessity of asking tough questions to gauge a client's commitment.

Unique Approach to Franchise Consulting:

• Integrating business networking to provide comprehensive support to clients, including finding necessary services like funding and legal advice.
• The value of due diligence when choosing a franchise, illustrated by Catherine’s personal anecdote about her decision-making process.

Conclusion:

Tommy and Catherine conclude the episode with reflections on the importance of informed decision-making, the value of franchise consulting, and the power of networking and collective expertise. Catherine’s story highlights the resilience and adaptability required to succeed in the franchise industry. Whether you’re...

Welcome to the latest episode of Empire Builders! Today, Tommy Yionoulis is thrilled to introduce our guest, Josh Chernikoff, a seasoned entrepreneur with a rich background in education and youth enrichment programs. In this episode, Josh shares his journey from sports broadcasting to founding and scaling multiple successful businesses.

Key Points Discussed:

Introduction to Josh Chernikoff:

• Josh's transition from a sports broadcaster to an entrepreneur in the education sector.
• Founding a boutique home tutoring company in the DC area.
• Expansion into after-school enrichment programs through Flex Academies, operating in 82 schools before selling the business.

Building a Niche Market:

• Importance of understanding and dominating a niche market to create a successful, repeatable business model.
• Josh's experience in targeting schools with established enrichment cultures to effectively sell his services.

Entrepreneurial Journey:

• Challenges and successes in the education sector.
• Josh's current venture, the Ed Sales Elevation Experience, assisting education companies in generating high-quality, repeatable leads.
• Josh’s latest entrepreneurial pursuit with Overtime Athletics (OTA), a franchise providing organized sports programs for schools.

Metaphor of "Clean Windows":

• Targeting customers who already understand the value of a service.
• Josh's success by focusing on schools with established enrichment programs.

Media Exposure and Strategic Hires:

• Leveraging media exposure for business growth, as demonstrated by a significant boost from an NBC opportunity.
• The impact of strategic hires, like Mandy Eckman, in scaling the business by focusing on strengths and delegating operational responsibilities.

Scaling Businesses:

• Challenges of scaling businesses, particularly in identifying and serving the ideal client.
• Importance of having a clear, repeatable offer to streamline operations.
• Maintaining low overheads and flexible commitments, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Entrepreneurial Risks and Responsibilities:

• Discussion on the inherent risks and responsibilities of entrepreneurship.
• The impact on personal life and the need for a strong support system, especially from family.
• Tommy's experiences in giving employees entrepreneurial opportunities and the realization that true entrepreneurial spirit cannot be instilled.

Balancing Customizable Consulting and Scalable Operations:

• Struggles in balancing customizable consulting work with scalable business operations.
• The importance of knowing when to say no to short-term gains for long-term business development.

Conclusion:

Tommy and Josh conclude the episode with reflections on the ongoing journey of learning and adapting, essential for any entrepreneur aiming for sustainable success. Josh's story highlights the significance of understanding market needs, leveraging media exposure, and strategic hiring in scaling a business. Whether you're interested in the education sector, franchise operations, or entrepreneurial stories, this episode provides valuable insights and inspiration.

Tune in for an engaging discussion on entrepreneurship, scaling businesses, and achieving success in niche markets with Josh Chernikoff.

Links And Resources:

• EdSales Elevation Experience
• Josh Chernikoff on

Welcome to the latest episode of Empire Builders! Today, Tommy Yionoulis is thrilled to introduce our guest, Allison Welch, CEO and founder of As You Wish Lifestyle. In this episode, Allison shares her journey of creating an on-demand personal assistant and event planning company, navigating through the challenges of starting a business, and expanding into franchising.

• Allison's background and journey from being a personal assistant and event coordinator to founding As You Wish Lifestyle.
• The concept behind As You Wish Lifestyle: providing a la carte personal assistant and event planning services for busy families, executives, and athletes.

• Types of requests they handle, from moving assistance to organizing closets, running errands, and holiday preparations.
• The personalized touch and commitment to high-quality service that sets them apart from generic app-based services.

• The decision to franchise As You Wish Lifestyle and the steps taken to develop the franchise model.
• Current franchise locations and plans for future expansion into major cities across the United States.
• The importance of finding the right franchisees and ensuring they have the tools and support needed for success.

• Initial challenges faced when starting the business during a recession and the importance of word-of-mouth referrals.
• Ongoing challenges in finding the right team members who share the company’s values and dedication to confidentiality and excellence.

• Allison shares a challenging experience with a moving truck accident and the importance of having reliable vendors and a positive attitude.
• The significance of maintaining high standards and a personalized approach to client service.

• Goals for expanding the franchise to 45 units in the next five years.
• The role of personalized service and strong client relationships in the company's success.

• The importance of reducing stress and improving quality of life through personalized assistant services.
• Encouragement for listeners to consider the benefits of using As You Wish Lifestyle for their personal and event planning needs.

Thank you for joining us at Empire Builders! Stay tuned for more inspiring stories and insights from entrepreneurs building their empires.

Links And Resources:

• As You Wish Lifestyle
• Allison Welch on LinkedIn

• Tommy Yionoulis on Linkedin
• OpsAnalitica

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