Behind the Franchise

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Leah Pinkes, Franchise Marketing Coordinator at Oh Deer, an all-natural deer tick and mosquito control service franchise. Leah shares her journey from intern to full-time marketing lead and dives into the strategies behind building an authentic, community-focused social media presence across multiple franchise locations. From viral content to local SEO, she reveals the hands-on approach to marketing that drives growth while keeping franchisees engaged and empowered.

Listeners will hear:

• How Leah went from intern to leading marketing efforts at an emerging franchise.
• The balance of brand consistency and franchisee individuality in social content.
• Lessons from creating a viral video with millions of views and thousands of shares.
• How organic social, blogs, and local SEO help franchise locations stand out online.
• Practical tips for making social media authentic and approachable for franchisees.
• Why genuine engagement with community and customers beats blindly chasing trends.

🎧 A must-listen if you want to understand how creativity, local focus, and authenticity can scale a franchise’s online presence.

🔗 Watch the Oh Deer viral video here: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DHbfFJSOKbq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA%3D%3D

#BehindTheFranchise #FranchiseMarketing #SocialMediaStrategy #LocalSEO #ViralContent #CommunityMarketing #FranchiseGrowth #OhDeer

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Bennett Maxwell, CEO of Franchise KI. Bennett shares his journey from door-to-door sales to scaling one of the fastest-growing cookie brands in America. From selling 450 franchises in less than two years to navigating lawsuits, he reveals the strategies — and lessons learned — behind building and scaling at lightning speed.

Listeners will hear:

• How Bennett went from hustling sponsorships in high school to building multimillion-dollar sales teams.
• Why he believes sales is about conversations and opportunities, not pressure.
• The behind-the-scenes of Dirty Dough’s rapid growth and why simplicity was the key to scaling.
• How legal battles and challenges shaped his leadership and long-term vision.
• His perspective on redefining success after hitting financial milestones.
• Why joy, fulfillment, and balance now guide his approach to business and life.

🎧 A must-listen if you’re curious how grit, sales mastery, and scaling smart can turn into a national franchise success story.

#BehindTheFranchise #FranchiseGrowth #ScalingSmart #FranchiseSuccess #Entrepreneurship #FranchiseKI

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Vanessa Yakobson, CEO and partner of Blo Blow Dry Bar, LashKind, and MYNC. Vanessa shares her journey from nonprofit fundraising to leading one of North America’s largest beauty and wellness franchise systems. From pioneering the blow dry bar category to scaling with customer experience at the core, she reveals how Blo continues to evolve while staying true to its values.

Listeners will hear:

• How Blo created the blow dry bar category and grew it into a scalable franchise model.
• Why Vanessa sees customer service as the linchpin of competitiveness in beauty and wellness.
• The origins of Blo’s “Pink Carpet Treatment” and what it means for customer loyalty.
• How franchisee innovation feeds back into system-wide growth.
• Why community building — both inside salons and through digital platforms — has become central to the brand.
• The shift from being “just a beauty brand” to embracing wellness and holistic care.
• Vanessa’s leadership philosophy: staying adaptable, open-minded, and willing to say, “I changed my mind.”

🎧 A must-listen if you’re curious how customer experience, community building, and adaptive leadership can drive lasting success in franchising.

👉 Learn more about Blo Blow Dry Bar at http://www.blomedry.com/

#BehindTheFranchise #FranchiseLeadership #BeautyIndustry #WellnessBusiness #CustomerExperience #PinkCarpetTreatment #BloBlowDryBar #FranchiseGrowth

In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Erika Wilson, CMO at Sound Income Group, a parent company supporting financial advisors through multiple subsidiaries, including a national franchise brand. Erika shares her journey from traditional advertising into the financial services world and how she built a marketing approach that balances creativity with the strict compliance of a regulated industry.

Listeners will hear:

• How Erika transitioned from print and media buying to financial services marketing and why she decided to earn a Master’s in Financial Planning as a CMO.
• The unique challenge of marketing in a highly regulated industry — and how compliance can actually spark creativity.
• How Sound Income Group structures its ecosystem to serve both B2B (financial advisors) and B2C (retirement clients) audiences without creating brand confusion.
• Why webinars became a game-changing strategy after COVID and how they continue to drive scalable growth.
• The importance of building a collaborative marketing team and holding clear accountability across multiple brands and subsidiaries.
• How Erika leverages both traditional credibility builders (TV, radio, books) and digital channels to maximize ROI and presence.
• Her perspective on AI in marketing — and why those who embrace it will have a competitive edge.

A must-listen if you want to understand how to market within a regulated industry, balance B2B and B2C messaging, or learn how franchising fits into the future of financial services.

#BehindTheFranchise #FranchiseMarketing #FinancialServices #MarketingStrategy #SoundIncomeGroup #FranchisingSuccess #Leadership #Webinars #AIinMarketing

In this episode, host Paul Elinger sits down with Megan Stewart, partner at The Grow CMO, a marketing consultancy that helps brands in periods of rapid growth or transition. Megan shares how her background in journalism and storytelling informs her approach to marketing, blending data-driven performance with creative brand-building.

Listeners will hear:

• How Megan balances performance marketing with creative strategy to maximize ROI while building brand equity.
• Her approach to advocating for marketing budgets and influencing leadership across multi-unit and franchise organizations.
• Insights into stepping into the customer’s shoes through mystery shopping, user journey analysis, and local market testing.
• The importance of living brand values authentically and how that translates into stronger customer engagement.
• Strategies for experimenting with new demographics and messaging without alienating core audiences.
• Practical tips on storytelling for marketers—how to turn data and goals into compelling narratives that drive action.

A must-listen if you’re curious how marketing strategy, storytelling, and customer empathy can help franchise brands grow, scale, and optimize across multiple locations.

#BehindTheFranchise #TheGrowCMO #FranchiseMarketing #BrandStrategy #MarketingLeadership #FranchiseGrowth

In this episode, host Paul Elinger sits down with Ethan Grob, co-founder and CEO of Another 9, a fully automated, 24/7 indoor golf simulator franchise. Ethan shares how his background in technology, retail, and product development inspired him to reimagine golf as a seamless, tech-driven, and approachable experience.

Listeners will hear:

How Another 9 blends digital booking and smart access with a premium private golf suite.

Why the brand’s “turnkey by design” model makes it just as simple for franchisees as it is for guests.

Insights into 9.OS, their custom-built operating system that helps franchisees remotely manage locations.

The surprising ways customers use the space—from 3 a.m. tee times to date nights and family outings.

Ethan’s vision for golf that’s more inclusive, accessible, and anxiety-free for new players, women, and casual golfers.

From subtle details like coat racks and bag holders to bold ideas like AI-powered swing coaching, Ethan shows how Another 9 is breaking down the traditional barriers of golf—and scaling fast as a franchise.

🎧 A must-listen if you’re curious how technology, customer empathy, and smart franchising can turn a niche passion into a national brand.

#BehindTheFranchise #Another9 #FranchiseGrowth #GolfBusiness #IndoorGolf #Franchising #GolfLife #GolfSimulator #TechInFranchising

In this powerhouse episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Adam Contos, former CEO of RE/MAX, to talk about the wild ride from SWAT commander to franchise titan. Adam shares the gritty realities of leadership, the psychology behind overcoming fear, how to navigate challenging franchisee dynamics, and why AI is already reshaping the future of franchising. Whether you're a founder, franchisee, or exec, this episode delivers gold on mindset, transformation, and what it really takes to scale in a world of accelerating change.

🤯 Topics Covered:

• Adam’s journey from Marine → SWAT → CEO
• What franchising and law enforcement have in common
• The power of reframing fear (“Party with the Beast” mindset)
• How to use AI to train, lead, and scale better
• Culture-building and empowering teams at scale
• Why doing nothing is the biggest risk in the AI era

📚 Mentioned: Start With the Win by Adam Contos

🌐 Connect: adamcontos.com | yourfranchisegroup.com

#Franchising #Leadership #AI #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #REMAX #StartWithTheWin #BehindTheFranchise #FlamelAI

Join us for an inspiring conversation with Dan & Ashley, the husband-and-wife duo behind Pet Bar, the fast-growing pet grooming franchise known as the “Disney World for dogs.”

From closing their tanning salons to launching their first Pet Bar in 2015, Dan & Ashley share how a personal grooming need for their schnauzer turned into a booming pet grooming business with over 30 locations.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How they turned a simple self-wash dog grooming idea into a thriving franchise success story
• The challenges (and wins) of running a business with your spouse
• Why passion for pets is the #1 ingredient for success in the pet care business
• How COVID changed their operations — and how they came out stronger
• Their vision for 250+ petbar franchise locations in the next decade

Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, a franchising fan, a pet business owner, or just love dogs, you’ll find this episode full of insights, laughs, and real-world advice from two people who have built something special.

#PetBar #PetGrooming #FranchiseSuccess #EntrepreneurLife #CoupleGoalsInBusiness #PetCare #SmallBusinessSuccess #DogLovers #FranchiseGrowth #BusinessWithPets #HusbandAndWifeTeam #PetGroomingBusiness #FromIdeaToEmpire #FranchiseJourney #PetBusiness

In this inspiring Behind the Franchise episode, Julie Harrell, President of Cooper’s Scoopers, shares her unlikely journey from healthcare management to building one of the fastest‑growing mobile pet waste removal franchises in the U.S. Julie explains how she discovered a deeper purpose in the “poop business”—educating pet owners about environmental health, supporting franchisees with meaningful systems, and using franchise growth as a force for community impact.

She dives into her founding timeline (launching in December 2023, FDD live by February 1, and nine trucks operational by June 17), operational challenges, and the importance of values‑driven leadership. Julie also discusses target markets—from millennials to senior pet owners—and how sanitation and eco‑responsibility differentiate Cooper’s Scoopers from traditional pet waste services.

#FranchiseSuccess #PurposeDrivenBusiness #JulieHarrell #CoopersScoopers #PetWasteManagement #EcoFriendlyService #WomenInFranchising #OperationalLeadership

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Fred Hassen and Alfredo Rivera, the powerhouse duo behind Sit Means Sit, one of the largest dog training franchises in North America. From Fred’s unexpected entry into the dog world at age 40 to building a 170+ location business, they share an unfiltered look at the grit, growth, and guiding principles that built their empire.

Discover how integrity, authenticity, and a passion for dogs transformed a van-based hustle into a national brand. If you're interested in franchising, entrepreneurship, or just love a good underdog story (literally), this episode is packed with wisdom.

Topics include:

The origins of Sit Means Sit & their unique training philosophy

Why not having a background in dog training was a strength

Scaling with integrity and no business plan

How video marketing set them apart early

Lessons from top-performing franchisees

Whether you’re a dog lover, aspiring franchisee, or just love inspiring business journeys—this episode is for you.

#BehindTheFranchise

#SitMeansSit

#DogTrainingBusiness

#FranchiseSuccess

#TalkIsCheap

#EntrepreneurJourney

#FranchiseGrowth

#StartupStory

#BusinessWithIntegrity

#DogTrainerLife

#RagsToRiches

#VideoMarketing

#FranchisePodcast

#FoundersStory

#PassionToProfit