Franchise Unfiltered

Franchise Unfiltered

How to Take Control of YOUR Life, and Create FREEDOM for Yourself, Through Business Ownership

Episodes

May 15, 2025 71 mins

Is boutique fitness oversaturated? Discover Strength doesn’t think so — because they’re doing it completely differently.

 

In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Scott Breimhorst, VP of Franchise Development for Discover Strength, a cutting-edge fitness brand redefining what it means to own and operate a premium fitness franchise.

 

With a sc...

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In this episode of the Franchise Unfiltered Podcast, Wes sits down with franchise veteran Zach Beutler to talk about his latest venture: Jungle Driving — a groundbreaking driver’s education concept that's saving teen lives and reshaping what franchising looks like in the education space.

 

We dive deep into: 

 

✅ How Jungle Driving blends UPS safety methods with teen-focused learning

✅ What it takes to scale a franchise from one co...

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In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Tim Dougherty, the founder and CEO of Project Lean Nation, for one of the most jaw-dropping comeback stories in franchising.

 

In 2006, the FBI walked into Tim’s office and charged him with conspiracy to commit securities fraud. He served time in federal prison—and came out with nothing. But out of that brokenness, Tim rebuilt his ...

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In this episode of the Franchise Unfiltered Podcast, Wes Barefoot chats with Susan, a former teacher turned franchise owner, who started her Gotcha Covered window treatment business in the middle of the 2008 recession.

 

Now, 17 years later, Susan shares how she created a successful and flexible business that gives her control over her time, lifestyle, and legacy. If you're thinking about f...

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In this episode, Wes sits down with Mike Bahun, founder and CEO of Fundraising University, a fast-growing franchise that's transforming the way schools and sports teams raise money.

 

Mike shares how he turned his coaching background and entrepreneurial drive into a scalable business model that’s helped raise over $11 million for schools—while building a high-retention, high-impact franchis...

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In this episode, I sit down with Shideler Bennett, a multi-unit Crumbl Cookies franchisee, SaaS founder, and business builder who scaled a $12 million portfolio by the age of 30. From cold-calling insurance agencies to building a 10-unit franchise empire and launching a software company that’s changing how franchisees operate — Shideler shares the gritty, behind-the-scenes truth of what it really takes to grow fast, take risks, and...

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🚀 Thinking about franchising your business? In this episode of Path to Freedom, I sit down with Tom DeFore, Founder & CEO of Big Sky Franchise Team, to uncover the essential steps to turning your business into a thriving franchise.

 

👉 We dive deep into:

✅ What makes a business franchisable

✅ The biggest mistakes entrepreneurs make when franchising

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In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes sits down with Rick Mayo, the founder and CEO of Alloy Personal Training. They dive deep into Alloy’s explosive growth in the franchising space, hitting over 300+ awarded licenses and the strategies behind sustainable expansion.

 

Rick shares insights on:

✅ The key to supporting franchisees for long-term success

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In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes is joined by Jody Grunden, the founder of Summit Virtual CFO by Anders. Jody pioneered the virtual CFO model over 20 years ago and has helped countless businesses optimize their financial strategies.

 

They discuss:

 

-The origins of Summit Virtual CFO and its evolution over two decades

-How virtua...

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Connect with Rocky Lalvani:

 

Website: https://profitcomesfirst.com

 

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rocky-lalvani/

 

Podcast: https://profitcomesfirst.com/podcasts/

 

Episode Summary:

In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, Wes sits down with Rocky Lalvani, also known as the "Pr...

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In this episode of Path to Freedom, host [Your Name] sits down with Roland Ligtenberg, co-founder of Housecall Pro, to discuss how their cutting-edge software is transforming the home service industry. From streamlining operations to leveraging AI for customer service and marketing, Roland shares the incredible ways Housecall Pro helps business owners grow by 30% year over year.If you're a home service entrepreneur, f...

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In this episode of The Path to Freedom Podcast, I sit down with Boris Katsnelson, Managing Director at Black Iron Advisors, to uncover the real playbook for franchise success. Boris shares his unique experience from buying, scaling, and selling franchises for millions to advising franchisors and multi-unit franchisees on successful exits. 

 

If you’ve ever considered franchising or want to ...

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Chris King, the dynamic CEO of Monster Mini Golf, joins us for an episode filled with exciting insights into the world of indoor family entertainment. Chris shares the innovative concept behind this monster-themed wonderland, where blacklight courses, animatronic creatures, and even a DJ booth ensure fun for all ages. He discusses the adaptable franchise model that allows each location to offer unique attractions such...

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Struggling to grow your business? Feeling overwhelmed by hiring, financial challenges, and leadership shifts? In this episode, we dive deep into business scaling strategies, leadership growth, and financial management to help entrepreneurs like you take your business to the next level.

 

Join Wes as he sits down with Courtney De Ronde, CEO of Forge Financial Management Consulting, to uncove...

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Russ Morgan from Wealth Without Wall Street makes a compelling case for financial independence through non-traditional investing strategies. What if you could attain financial freedom not by stashing cash in a 401k but by building a passive income stream that exceeds your monthly expenses? We explore Russ's insights on creating a financial strategy tailored to your unique perspective, moving beyond the conventional wi...

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Unlock the secrets to franchise success as we sit down with Doug Smith, Senior Vice President of Franchise Development at Belfor Franchise Group. Discover how Belfor's unique approach to franchising—entirely rooted in the home service sector—provides a winning formula for aspiring franchisees. Learn how being part of an operating giant like Belfor Property Restoration gives franchisees a unique advantage, offering the...

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Leslie Hassler, the dynamic president of Your Biz Rules, joins us to unravel the complex journey of finding true freedom in entrepreneurship. Many start their businesses dreaming of autonomy, only to find themselves trapped in a self-made cage. Leslie shares invaluable strategies on how intentional daily decisions and mindset shifts can lead entrepreneurs to genuine liberation. Together, we challenge the societal obse...

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Gavin Lancey, a pivotal figure in the smart home technology arena, joins us to unravel the exciting possibilities of this burgeoning industry. From his humble beginnings in a house painting business to leading franchise sales at Daisy, Gavin's journey is nothing short of inspiring. We discuss the surge in demand for smart solutions like automated blinds, smart lighting, and security systems, which are increasingly bec...

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Unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your fitness routine with Sweat 440, the game-changing boutique fitness concept founded by Matthew Miller and Cody Patrick. Discover how their innovative rolling class schedule, with sessions starting every 10 minutes, offers unparalleled flexibility for those with unpredictable schedules. This episode promises to transform the way you think about fitness studios, highlighting how...

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Join us as we uncover the transformative potential of artificial intelligence in business with Mike Liu, founder and CEO of FreeFuse, and Alex Londo, founder and CEO of Klarissa AI. Mike and Alex share their expertise on how AI goes beyond mere buzzwords to become a crucial element in business strategy, offering innovative solutions for franchise owners and small business operators. They reveal how their companies are...

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