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 build a business that lasts.
Whether you're looking to buy a franchise, start a SaaS business, or just get inspired by someone who took massive action during uncertain times, this episode is packed with insights you don’t want to miss.
🔑 What We Cover in This Episode:
How Shideler started with Crumbl Cookies during the pandemic
Scaling from 1 to 10 Crumbl locations across 3 states
Raising capital through creative funding (friends, family, investors)
Why he launched a SaaS platform for franchisors & franchisees (CoverPanda)
The emotional toll of rapid growth and how he pushed through doubt
Practical tips for franchise funding, scaling, and operations
What to know about owning a franchise in California
Why he believes franchising is the best fast track to entrepreneurship
🎯 Who This Episode Is For:
Aspiring franchise owners
Entrepreneurs in their 20s & 30s
Founders scaling multi-unit businesses
SaaS startup builders
Anyone looking for business growth inspiration
📈 Connect with Shideler Bennett: 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scheidlerbennett
💼 CoverPanda (SaaS for Franchises): https://coverpandaco.com
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
If you would like to learn more about this particular franchise opportunity or discuss franchise ownership in general - feel free to use the link to my calendar below to schedule a free, no-obligation introductory meeting.
https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
👍 Like, Comment & Subscribe for more insights on business, franchising, and financial freedom!
#Franchising #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
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.
The Brothers Ortiz
The Brothers Ortiz is the story of two brothers–both successful, but in very different ways. Gabe Ortiz becomes a third-highest ranking officer in all of Texas while his younger brother Larry climbs the ranks in Puro Tango Blast, a notorious Texas Prison gang. Gabe doesn’t know all the details of his brother’s nefarious dealings, and he’s made a point not to ask, to protect their relationship. But when Larry is murdered during a home invasion in a rented beach house, Gabe has no choice but to look into what happened that night. To solve Larry’s murder, Gabe, and the whole Ortiz family, must ask each other tough questions.