Tony Holbert is the CEO of Horsepower Brands—one of the fastest-growing home service franchise groups in the U.S.

With over 400 franchise territories and nine brands under their umbrella (like Mighty Dog Roofing and Varsity Zone HVAC), Tony shares what makes franchisees succeed, why “going all in” matters, and how AI is changing how sales teams operate.

💡 We talk franchise stacking, recurring revenue, market resilience, and how you can build real wealth through home services.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

In this episode of the Close The Deal podcast, host Ewell Smith sits down with sales strategist Sean Lyden, founder of Systematic Selling. Sean breaks down why traditional high-pressure tactics are broken — and what to do instead.

From boosting proposal conversion rates to smart upselling and increasing volume through networking and referrals, Sean shares practical, no-fluff strategies that work. Whether you're a founder, franchisee, or home services pro, this is your playbook for sales without the sleaze.

🔹 How to sell without pressure
🔹 The 3 Levers of Growth
🔹 Why culture eats strategy in sales
🔹 How to prospect with purpose — and without spam

🔗 Learn more about Sean: SystematicSelling.co

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Chris Widener joins the Close The Deal podcast to share his powerful journey from personal adversity to international speaker, bestselling author, and faith-based mentor. With mentorship from icons like Zig Ziglar and Jim Rohn, Chris explores how belief, mentorship, and faith fuel success.

We dive into how his early experiences—from working with the Seattle Supersonics to selling 20,000 flower pots at 14—shaped his purpose-driven approach to life and business. Chris also unpacks the heart behind his new book, The Coming American Revival, and his mission to mentor entrepreneurs with faith at the core.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Thinking about investing in a franchise? Join Ewell Smith, author of Your First Franchise Roadmap and founder of CloseTheDeal.com, as he sits down with Newell Normand on WWL Radio. In this episode, Ewell shares expert insights on how franchising provides a proven playbook for success, career independence, and wealth-building. Learn why franchising isn’t just about fast food, how veterans and corporate professionals are leveraging franchise systems, and the biggest mindset shifts needed to succeed. Don’t let fear hold you back—get the clarity you need to take the next step.

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

In this special episode of Close The Deal, I sit down with James Groves, co-founder of Hole in the Wall Franchise, to discuss how this drywall repair brand is scaling fast and delivering big profits. From standout branding to high-margin services and franchisee training that rocks, this episode breaks down why Hole in the Wall Franchise is a winning opportunity.

💡 We cover:
✅ How a strong brand fuels franchise growth
✅ Why drywall repair is a high-demand niche
✅ The profitability and scalability of the business
✅ What makes the Hole in the Wall Way unique

🎧 Listen now and learn how to invest in a franchise built for success!

#FranchiseSuccess #BusinessGrowth #HomeServices #CloseTheDeal #FranchiseProfits #YourFirstFranchise

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

In this episode of the Close The Deal podcast - Franchise Profits episode, I sit down with Carlos Herrador, EVP of Franchise Operations at Marufuku Ramen. With 42 years of franchise experience, Carlos shares what makes a franchise thrive, how Marufuku Ramen became a powerhouse brand, and why quality and consistency are the keys to success.

From franchise support to real estate selection and customer experience, we unpack everything you need to know about growing a successful restaurant franchise.

🔥 Want to learn more? Visit CloseTheDeal.com to connect with Ewell!

🎧 Subscribe & Share!

#FranchiseBusiness #MarufukuRamen #FranchiseGrowth #RestaurantSuccess

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Michelle Henry, founder of Face Foundry Franchise, went from struggling with skincare solutions to revolutionizing the beauty industry. In this episode of Your First Franchise, we dive into her entrepreneurial mindset, growth strategies, and what it takes to build a successful franchise.

She shares:
✔️ How she overcame fear to launch and scale her business
✔️ The secret to attracting loyal customers and franchisees
✔️ Why Face Foundry Franchise is thriving in the beauty space

Is franchise ownership right for you? Let’s find out!

📍 Learn more: YourFirstFranchise.com
📚 Get a FREE copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap on our site!

👉 Follow & subscribe for more expert franchise insights!

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

In this episode of Close The Deal, Eric Thompson shares the mindset shifts and leadership principles that help entrepreneurs and leaders multiply their success. As the founder of Lift Leadership and CMO of Snooze Mattress Company, Eric breaks down self-mastery, purpose-driven leadership, and force multipliers in business and life.

🔥 Key Takeaways:

• Purpose is the ultimate force multiplier—here’s why.
• How self-awareness and emotional regulation fuel success.
• Winning the battle of the mind with breathwork & mindset hacks.
• Mastering the ‘Peace, Purpose, Process’ framework.

If you’re ready to scale your impact and lead with purpose, tune in now!

#Podcast #ForceMultiplier #Leadership #SelfImprovement #Entrepreneurship

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Balancing Career, Parenting & Stress: Dr. Kate Lund on Resilience

Life is a juggling act—especially for busy professionals and parents trying to manage careers, families, and personal well-being. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Kate Lund, a clinical psychologist, best-selling author, and resilience expert, to talk about how to build mental toughness, reduce stress, and find balance in the chaos.

We cover:
✔️ The biggest challenges of career transitions and parenting
✔️ How to quiet your stress response and stay grounded
✔️ The role of self-care and building a strong support system
✔️ Practical strategies for a resilient mindset

Dr. Kate shares invaluable insights and real-world tools to help you navigate life’s challenges with more clarity and confidence. Whether you're a parent, entrepreneur, or leader looking to manage stress and stay resilient, this episode is packed with actionable takeaways.

🎧 Listen now and take the first step toward a more balanced life!

🔗 Connect with Dr. Kate Lund: 
https://www.katelundspeaks.com/

Don't forget to follow, rate, and review the podcast!

#Resilience #Parenting #WorkLifeBalance #MentalHealth #Entrepreneurship #DrKateLund

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Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.

Ewell Smith is talking with disruptors - entrepreneurs, franchisors, and marketing and sales pros. Whether you're considering starting a business or looking for ways to drive more leads and close more deals, this podcast is for you.

🔥 SPECIAL EPISODES: Franchise Profits Podcast

Ewell interviews franchisors and franchise industry leaders to educate anyone considering a franchise. Get behind the scenes information so you start the process and close the deal on your first franchise or your next franchise.

We have gift for you for listening - grab a copy of Your First Franchise Roadmap.

Visit www.CloseTheDeal.com to see all episodes.