Behind the Franchise

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Kristopher Stuart, Chief Development Officer of Bloomin' Blinds, to discuss his unconventional journey from firefighter to franchise leader.

Kris shares how growing up in a family-run business shaped his mindset, why he pursued firefighting alongside entrepreneurship, and how he ultimately discovered franchising as a vehicle for lasting impact.

• How firefighting and franchising share more in common than you think
• The importance of transparency, authenticity, and trust in franchise operations
• Why Bloomin' Blinds is betting big on AI and automation to reshape home services
• How strong company culture and honest leadership fuel franchise success

Kris brings energy, humor, and unfiltered insights on scaling a family-first, technology-driven franchise. If you’re thinking about building a brand, buying a franchise, or just love a great business transformation story, this one’s for you!

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Brooke Budke about her journey as the founder and CEO of Momentum Brands. They explore how she empowers franchisees, shares marketing tips for franchises, and continues to pursue growth both professionally and personally.

Highlights of this episode include:

Tune in to hear Brooke's inspiring story and gain valuable marketing insights for both aspiring franchisees and experienced franchise owners

In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Michael Sutton about how he is expanding his business Grill Hero from Canada to the U.S., as well as just constantly elevating all aspects of the franchise.

Highlights of this episode include:

Michael sharing some of his milestones when founding Canadian BBQ Boys and transitioning and rebranding to business to Grill Hero

The full rebranding journey and its lessons learned 

A deep dive into Grill Hero’s core values & mission

Franchise marketing and customer engagement strategies from Michael’s perspective

A look at what the future holds for Grill Hero

Tune in to hear Michael’s story and gather actionable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs and seasoned franchise owners alike. 

Guest Bio For Michael: 

We’re thrilled to be joined by Michael Sutton the Founder and President of Grill Hero, formerly known as Canadian BBQ Boys. He is currently focused on scaling the business and expanding into the U.S. market.

Dive into the pool of entrepreneurship with Mark Amery, founder and CEO of Puddle Pool Services! In this episode of Behind the Franchise, host Paul Ehlinger chats with Mark about building a fun, vibrant brand in the home services industry.

Highlights:

From "grabbing life by the cannonballs" to fostering a playful company culture, Mark shares insights on how Puddle Pool Services is making waves in the franchise world. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or an established business owner, this episode is packed with valuable lessons on brand building, franchisee relations, and staying afloat in a competitive market.

Don't miss this refreshing conversation that proves business doesn't have to be all work and no play. Dive in now!

Welcome to Episode 2 of "Behind the Franchise"! In this episode, we chat with Kyle Kosco, VP of Marketing at ‪Caring Transitions who shares his journey from running a marketing agency to leading the marketing efforts of a thriving franchise. Discover how Caring Transitions supports seniors and their families during life transitions and learn about their unique "Caring for a Cause" initiatives.

https://www.facebook.com/CaringTransitions

https://twitter.com/CaringTransCorp

https://www.linkedin.com/company/caring-transitions/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMJQPbKKp49DIQgIQ2bqgBA

https://twitter.com/kylekosco

Welcome to the inaugural episode of "Behind the Franchise" where we dive deep into the strategies that drive franchise brand success. In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger is joined by Jessica Yarmey, CEO of SizzleSociety and former CMO of Club Pilates. Jessica shares her journey from a marketing enthusiast to a franchise brand leader, offering invaluable insights on scaling businesses effectively and sustaining brand integrity during rapid growth.

Throughout the episode, Jessica discusses the nuances of brand promotion and protection, her strategies for aligning brand values with business operations, and her approach to overcoming the challenges of scaling too fast. Learn how authenticity and strategic marketing have played pivotal roles in her success, and gain actionable tips on how you too can accelerate growth while maintaining a robust brand identity. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur or an established franchisor, this conversation is packed with guidance to help you brand better and grow faster.