How does a “farm boy from Iowa” grow one struggling salon into a thriving empire of 33 locations?

Today on the podcast, we have Jerry Akers who is diving deep into the realities and opportunities within the franchise industry, and he’s getting straight to the point when it comes to the grit and growth mindset that is required to excel. Jerry is sharing how he took a single Great Clips location and expanded to 33 locations, and how hands-on leadership, calculated risk, and a do-it-yourself attitude fueled his exponential growth. 

And Jerry digs into what it is like to buy struggling franchises and learning the hard lessons that come from entering new industries and his passion for supporting and coaching other franchisees.

Jerry Akers is an author, Speaker, Mentor, Franchisee at Great Clips, and Regional Developer and Franchisee at The Joint Chiropractic. IFA Board Member and former Chairman of the IFA Franchisee Forum. In 2006, Jerry ventured into franchising by purchasing his first Great Clips, which has since expanded to 34 locations across two states. He later added The Joint Chiropractic to his portfolio as a regional developer and franchisee. Jerry's hands-on experience and expertise culminated in co-authoring the bestselling book “Live it 2 Own It,” providing practical guidance for aspiring franchise owners. He also founded ZDynamix, leading a team of franchise coaches who are experts in training, operations, marketing, and leadership. At ZDynamix, Jerry works with franchisees and franchisors aiming for the next level of success. His story is a testament to his adaptability, leadership, and commitment to helping others succeed in the franchise world.

So, if you are wondering how to scale fast, build a winning team and become a powerhouse in franchising and dive into what it takes to not just survive but thrive as a franchisee then this episode is for you!

Connect with Jerry

Email - [email protected]

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jerry-akers-39599688/

Episode Highlights:

• Jerry’s journey into franchising

• Acquiring Great Clips and turning it around

• Growth and expansion in franchising  

• Strategies for accelerating growth after acquiring the first unit

• Scaling from 1 to 33 salons

• Importance of a growth mindset

• Building a team ready for expansion o

Franchise Directory - https://www.sba.gov/document/support-sba-franchise-directory

Franchise Registry - https://www.franchiseregistry.com/

Current SBA SOP - https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs

Connect with Tracy

Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale

JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/

Email: [email protected]

Connect with Shannon

Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/

JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale