Free Agent with Meg Schmitz
Inspiring conversations with real people who took the leap into business ownership, franchising, and freedom. Hosted by franchise guru, consultant and trusted small business advisor, Meg Schmitz. If you're looking to make the next phase of your life the best phase, this podcast is for you. From corporate refugees and executives tired of the desk job life, to entrepreneurs and investors looking for more support in their business journey, you'll hear from real people who stepped into the unknown, took control of their destiny and became their own boss.
Episodes
You can build an empire and protect your marriage—if you know how to spot the landmines before they blow. In this follow-up to our most talked-about episodes featuring Ted Santos (Episode 7.4)and Karen Covy (Episode 5.2), we explore the silent tension that can kill business dreams and relationships alike. If you and your spouse are dreaming big but stuck in indecision, this convo is your blueprint to move forward together.
What makes an emerging brand worth betting on? In this episode, I sit down with franchise veteran Candice Weeter to discuss grit, growth, and how to identify genuine leadership behind the pitch. If you're serious about building wealth through franchising, this one's a must.
When chaos calls, most chase the money. John and Kami Griffith chose the mission. In this episode, Meg Schmitz sits down with the power couple who walked away from corporate burnout, turned a LinkedIn ad into a life-changing franchise investment, and built a business rooted in faith, family, and future-proof cash flow. If you're an exec craving more than paychecks and performance reviews, this one’s for you.
Most business owners think their company is worth more than it is. Most buyers waste time chasing the perfect deal. In this episode, Meg and business advisor, Mark Bailey, expose the hard truths about buying and selling businesses—and how tax strategy and mindset shifts separate the winners from the wishers.
What do you get when you mix pest control, holiday lights, and big franchise energy? A boring business that’s quietly building empires. In this episode, Meg sits down with Andy Fuller, founder of Pest Hunters, to unpack how one “unsexy” brand is helping franchisees create recurring revenue, generational wealth, and year-round impact.
In this mind-bending episode of Free Agent, Meg Schmitz sits down with leadership strategist Ted Santos to explore the hidden beliefs sabotaging our potential—and our portfolios. From unresolved childhood loops to unconscious limitations, Ted reveals how self-inquiry and intentional disruption are the real keys to personal growth and wealth creation. If you've been operating on autopilot, this is your wake-up call.
What do high-performing investors do when the market turns shaky? They double down on what works. In this episode, Meg Schmitz talks with JetSet Pilates head of development, Sara Buie and franchisees Andrea & Carlos Ponce about why luxury fitness is attracting serious capital—and how franchising can offer both freedom and security in uncertain times.
In this eye-opening episode of The Free Agent, Meg Schmitz talks with entrepreneur Ryan Martineau about how AI and job site technology are reshaping skilled labor, franchising, and business operations. With global job shortages, rising tariffs, and economic uncertainty shaking traditional industries, this conversation dives into how data and automation are creating faster, smarter, and more prof...
In this episode, we hang out with Mark Schneider, a super chill construction boss who built his company from scratch—while raising five kids! He spills the real deal on what it takes to open up your own brick-and-mortar business, avoid major build-out mistakes, and still get home in time for dinner. If you're considering starting a franchise or building your dream spot, this one has gold nuggets you don't want to miss.
Amanda Gettes’ journey into franchising is a testament to resilience, adaptability, and the power of making strategic choices. In this episode of The Free Agent, she shares how leaving a structured career in education, launching a failed startup, and navigating personal challenges led her to franchising as a path to financial stability and personal freedom. From securing an SBA loan on her own to mastering the nuances of the window...
In this episode of Free Agent with Meg Schmitz, chartered financial analyst Eric Schmitz CFA clears away the fear-driven headlines to uncover where bold investors are seizing opportunities in a shifting economy. From tariffs and immigration policies to inflation fears, Eric breaks down how these factors impact business ownership and why essential industries—like senior care, home services, wellness, and experiential retail—continue...
From a single mom of four to franchise powerhouse, Heather McPherson’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, reinvention, and business success. In this episode, Heather reveals how she went from the medical field to leading franchise development, the pivotal mentors who shaped her career, and the mindset shifts that propelled her forward. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to break into franchising, find the right opportunitie...
From law school dropout to franchise mogul, Erik Van Horn shares his unconventional journey on the Free Agent podcast! Discover how a chance iced tea meeting led to a $20,000 franchise investment. Learn Erik's secrets to successful exits and the impact of private equity. Tune in to hear his no-nonsense advice on leadership and why he values franchisee-focused brands, and explore your potential for franchise ownership today!
In this episode of The Free Agent Podcast, host Meg Schmitz welcomes back fractional CFO and financial expert Lynn Corazzi to break down the key metrics every business owner needs to track. Learn how to spot financial red flags and avoid costly mistakes to maximize your business's value and set yourself up for a profitable exit. Build a thriving business—whether you're just starting or scaling up!
In this episode of the Free Agent Podcast, Jennifer Eastman shares her bold journey from running a family moving business to launching Assisted Living Locators—right in the middle of a pandemic. She opens up about navigating uncertainty, building a people-first business, and why strong relationships were key to her success. If you're looking for inspiration to take control of your fu...
Mark as Played
Discover how Tori Johnston, Brand President of goGlow, is revolutionizing the beauty and wellness industry with a membership-based franchise model that creates recurring revenue. In this episode, she shares her journey from corporate leadership to franchising success and the secrets behind goGlow's innovative labor model and customer-loved products.
Meg Schmitz sits down with Chris Stoness, founder of Elite Window Cleaning and Sparkle Squad, to uncover the inspiring journey behind building a revolutionary window cleaning franchise. From his early entrepreneurial spark growing up in a family of business owners to the pivotal moment that led him to pursue window cleaning, Chris shares how he turned a simple service into a tech-driven, scalable franchise system.
In this episode of The Free Agent, guest Jonathan Flaks of Jonathan Flaks Leadership and Career Coaching Associates Inc. shares how a lifelong love for music unexpectedly paved the way to a rewarding career in coaching. From navigating unforeseen challenges to embracing new opportunities, Jonathan reveals the pivotal moments that transformed his passion into a fulfilling profession. This inspiring conversation reminds us that somet...
Discover how iconic brands like Subway and Chick-fil-A expand across cultures in this fascinating conversation with franchise developer Brandon Johnson. From his early days navigating the operations of major franchises to helping aspiring entrepreneurs embrace business ownership, Brandon shares insider tips on choosing the right franchise and what it takes to succeed. Whether you're exploring franchise opportunities or curious abou...
Popular Podcasts
United States of Kennedy is a podcast about our cultural fascination with the Kennedy dynasty. Every week, hosts Lyra Smith and George Civeris go into one aspect of the Kennedy story.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.