Before Carl Stoffers was Entrepreneur Magazine’s Senior Business Editor, he was logging twelve-hour shifts in a maximum security prison in the sweltering Arizona desert. But even surrounded by concrete walls and lockstep routines, Carl never let go of his love for words – reading under a flashlight in secret as a kid and nurturing an “impossible dream” to become a journalist.
In this episode of the Smart Franchising Podcast, we explore
(03:04) Chasing dreams and taking bold risks
(06:09) Why home service franchises stay strong in recessions
(10:38) Best starter franchises for hands-on owners
(14:49) Keeping it simple with rising beverage trends
(17:22) How tech enhances the customer experience
(20:27) Why embracing change fuels franchise growth
(23:05) The story behind a thrift franchise's success
(25:17) The emotional origins of BrightStar Care
(28:21) What Gen Z and millennials value in franchising
(34:00) Why interviews demand real discretion
(36:21) Exciting franchise updates and an inspiring story
(38:24) Humans helping humans thrive
On Getting Into Franchising “When It Never Feels Like the Right Time”
Carl: You find yourself working 12 hours a day in a maximum security prison out in the middle of the desert, it can cause you to do a little bit of thinking…you know that’s not where you want to spend the rest of your professional life. I feel a definite bond with franchisees who left safe careers to dive into something totally new.
On the Power of the “Unsexy” Brand
Carl: There are all sorts of non-glamorous areas you can get into with franchising and really carve out a good name for yourself. The successful people I meet – whether it’s pest control, roofing, or thrift stores – are changing the industry by showing what’s possible for anyone with grit and the right support.
On Why the Human Story Still Wins
Carl: What I look for is, number one, a business relevance…and then, is the backstory compelling? Is it going to grab our readers? Franchising attracts unique personalities. The ones willing to solve problems, take risks, and overcome setbacks.
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