Are you buying a franchise to own a business, or are you just getting another job? 

In this episode, Erik Van Horn and Jeff Herr challenge potential franchisees to think beyond just becoming employees in their own business. He explores the key difference between buying a business and merely buying a job and why it’s crucial to understand this distinction. Erik shares practical advice for future franchise owners, emphasizing the importance of building effective systems, understanding territory management, and having the right leadership in place.

If you’re planning to buy a franchise, you must learn how to scale smartly, leverage profit-sharing models, and avoid common mistakes that can trap you into working in your business rather than on it. Discover how to turn your franchise into a true business venture!!

“Anything can be semi-absentee if you hire the right people to do the work that you're not doing." ~ Erik Van Horn

In This Episode:

- Jeff's background as a franchisee

- Building franchise equity with the right mindset

- Success strategy: focus on strengths, hire for weaknesses

- Tracking KPIs for franchise success

- Are you attracting the right customers?

- Networking with local businesses for growth

- Collaboration with complementary businesses

- The impact of hiring the right manager for your business

- How hard are you working on your business?

- Final thoughts from Erik and Jeff

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/

Connect with Jeff Herr:

🌐 Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeff-herr-016703214/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Can franchise ownership really offer freedom, flexibility, and wealth, or is that just a myth? In this solo episode, Erik Van Horn answers the questions franchisees are asking most, including how and when to incentivize managers, what semi-absentee ownership really looks like, and how to structure profit-sharing or equity without costly mistakes. 

He discusses the pros and pitfalls of buying resale franchises and offers candid advice for franchisees and emerging franchisors on building leadership, managing expectations, and scaling smartly.

Whether you're launching your first location or acquiring your tenth, Erik’s insights will help you avoid common traps and build long-term success.

“You, as a franchisee, take responsibility for the things that aren’t going well. Can you blame your franchisor for some of it? Absolutely! Is it going to help? Probably not. That's why I say take responsibility. Make the changes." ~ Erik Van Horn

In This Episode:

- Benefits of semi-absentee ownership in balancing time

- Offering business ownership to motivate franchise managers

- Hiring strong leaders and fostering a teachable culture

- Profit sharing vs. equity: which works better?

- Franchisor vs. franchisee: key differences in roles

- Investing in a resale franchise: time expectation for ROI

- Why brands should embrace AI and technology 

- Helpful advice for aspiring franchise owners

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Can you build a business that thrives in any economy? Lane Martin, co-founder of Modern PURAIR®, reveals the secrets behind creating Canada’s fastest-growing air quality franchise. From navigating challenges to empowering franchisees, this episode is your guide to recession-proof success. Today, Erik Van Horn sits down with Lane Martin, the driving force behind Modern PURAIR, to explore how this air quality franchise is setting the standard for success even in challenging economic times. Lane shares insights into what makes Modern PURAIR a standout brand, offering franchisees multiple revenue streams, innovative technology, and a proven playbook for growth.

Whether you’re a seasoned entrepreneur or considering a franchise opportunity, this conversation is packed with strategies and inspiration to build a business that thrives in any economy. Tune in and learn what it takes to succeed!

“If entrepreneurship were an easy journey, everybody would do it. We speak about that a lot. And a great mindset coach of mine a few years ago taught me a great thing—it's like how you deal with the 'hard.' If you know that 'hard' is gonna come (which it does cause building and growing any business is a difficult thing), be grateful when there's days where you're in cruise control mode." ~ Lane Martin

In This Episode:

- Lane Martin’s background and story

- What defines an entrepreneur’s journey?

- Tackling the challenges of territory expansion 

- The role of indoor air quality in Lane’s business

- Importance of KPIs in business

- Revenue streams at Modern PURAIR

- How franchisors help improve franchisee KPIs using AI

- The Zero to 500 Playbook by Modern PURAIR

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Lane Martin:

🌐 Website - https://modernpurair.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lane-martin-7377a114/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Growing a franchise isn’t just about selling locations–it’s about smart, sustainable scaling. Learn how goGLOW is doing it right!

Today, Erik Van Horn welcomes back goGLOW founder Melanie Richards to discuss what smart franchise growth really looks like. Melanie shares how she scaled goGLOW from a single location to a rapidly growing franchise by strategically selecting franchise partners, securing the right vendor relationships, and staying financially disciplined. She also reveals why growing too fast can kill a franchise and how founders can avoid common scaling mistakes.

goGLOW’s rapid yet strategic expansion proves that smart growth beats fast growth every time. Melanie breaks down the key factors behind goGLOW’s franchise success, from selecting the right partners to managing territories effectively. She also reveals how strategic partnerships play a vital role in scaling, and why franchise owners must think long-term when making growth decisions. With private equity interest growing, Melanie opens up about the challenges of balancing investment opportunities while staying true to the brand’s mission. 

Do you want to learn more about the strategy behind goGLOW’s success? Tune in to hear how smart scaling can make all the difference!

To learn more about goGLOWs smart growth strategies, you can also listen to this past episode:

How goGLOW Built a Franchise Employees Love and Customers Trust With Tori Johnston - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9hWHheuG0p4

“I did see where goGLOW can go. I knew its possibilities, but I wasn't going to do that unless I had the right partners. Franchising is a completely different industry than what I'm in, and I made sure I had experts to go into that world with me." ~ Melanie Richards

In This Episode:

- What smart growth means for goGLOW

- How goGLOW built a scalable foundation

- Taking the right steps with the right people

- The power of strategic partnerships

- Hiring key team members for franchise growth

- The importance of investing in the right people 

- Selecting vendors that support franchisees

- How goGLOW improved on-site training

- Balancing growth speed vs. sustainability

- The role of financial discipline in growth

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Franchise UnConference - https://franchiseunconference.com/

🌐 Franchise Springboard - https://franchisespringboard.com/

Connect with Melanie Richards:

🌐 Website - https://goglow.co/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/melanie-richards-a492207/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Would you quit a stable six-figure job to clean toilets? Today's guest did! And he now runs multiple businesses, including a booming Jersey Mike’s franchise!

In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Evgeni Kopelevich, a former finance professional who transitioned into small business ownership, franchising, and passive investments. He shares his journey from corporate burnout to multi-unit business success, discussing the challenges of buying mom-and-pop businesses, securing SBA loans, and scaling Jersey Mike’s in his local market.

Evgeni breaks down how to evaluate and acquire a business for cash flow, the truth about passive franchise ownership, why Jersey Mike’s is thriving, how he got approved, and how to structure a business partnership for success.

Tune in to learn how to build wealth through business ownership!

“It's impossible to be successful in business and not have failures." ~ Evgeni Kopelevich

In This Episode:

- How Evgeni got involved with Jersey Mike’s

- Decision to stop trading time for money

- The truth about franchising

- Buying a mom-and-pop business 

- Challenges of running a janitorial business

- Structuring a business partnership for success

- How Evgeni found Jersey Mike’s as the right franchise

- The franchise approval process and securing funding

- Lessons learned as a business owner

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Evgeni Kopelevich:

🌐 Website - https://www.jerseymikes.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evgeni-kopelevich-b2412138/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

What if you could grow, protect, and access your money—tax-free—while building long-term wealth? In this episode, financial expert Caleb Guilliams joins Erik Van Horn to discuss how franchise owners and entrepreneurs can use life insurance as a powerful tool to maximize cash flow, reduce taxes, and create financial freedom. Don’t miss these game-changing strategies!

Caleb is a financial expert, author of The AND Asset, and founder of BetterWealth. Today, he shares how business owners can use life insurance as a financial tool to grow, protect, and access their wealth tax-efficiently. 

From optimizing cash flow to leveraging smart tax strategies, this episode dives deep into how franchisees and business owners can maximize their financial potential while minimizing risk. Caleb also breaks down common misconceptions about life insurance and why it can be a powerful wealth-building tool when structured correctly.

If you’re a business owner looking to build long-term wealth, this episode is a must-listen!

“I believe that you are your greatest asset. Your ability to think and show up is the greatest asset, and I think a lot of people are undermining it. And so, I ask, 'What can I do to encourage them to have more energy and smile?' Because most of the time, happier people make more money, have more clarity, and are more confident." ~ Caleb Guilliams

In This Episode:

- Caleb’s path to financial expertise

- Using life insurance for cash flow

- Infinite banking explained

- The biggest misconception about infinite banking

- Tax-advantaged strategies for growing your wealth

- Structuring life insurance for maximum benefits

- When to start using life insurance

- Life insurance vs. Roth

- Practical advice from Caleb

- How to grow your wealth

- Living an intentional life

- How to create value for the world

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Grab the Wealth-Building Resources from Caleb Guilliams - https://franchisesecrets.com/wealth 

Connect with Caleb Guilliams:

🌐 Website - https://betterwealth.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/calebguilliams/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Is franchising really the secret to wealth, or is it just another risky business model?  In this episode, Erik Van Horn takes a deep dive into franchise profitability, investment strategies, and common myths surrounding wealth-building in franchising. 

Erik shares real-life examples of franchisees who built multi-million dollar businesses and those who lost everything. He reveals why choosing the right brand, market timing, and strong operations are critical for success. Erik also explains why franchising isn’t a passive income stream unless structured correctly.

Discover how franchisees actually build wealth (and what stops them), the biggest myths about franchising and financial freedom, how to scale smartly through multi-unit ownership and acquisitions, and why some franchisees fail despite picking a "good brand."

Listen now to unlock the real wealth-building strategies in franchising!

“The best franchisees are the best marketers, the best operational people, and the best at making decisions–they are the best at anything it takes to be a really successful entrepreneur." ~ Erik Van Horn

In This Episode:

- Losing money and making a lot of money in franchising

- How timing affects franchise success

- Does franchising guarantee success?

- Why some franchisees fail despite picking "good brands"

- Is franchising a passive income model?

- Why franchising is a great path to building wealth

- Why some franchisees struggle financially

- What franchisors can do to succeed

- Can strong franchisees overcome a weak brand?

- Erik's advice for franchisors and franchisees

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 How To Choose The Best Franchise For You With Guest Eric Stites - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MszGt8iVFws

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Are you thinking about buying a franchise? Don't make costly mistakes that could drain your time, money, and energy! Learn how to research, validate, and choose the perfect franchise.

In this episode, Erik Van Horn breaks down the step-by-step process of buying a franchise the right way. He shares how to properly evaluate a brand, avoid red flags in the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), and ask current franchisees the right validation questions. Erik also explains why brand recognition isn't everything, how to navigate franchise broker and consultant relationships, and what franchisors look for in potential owners.

Discover the four stages of the franchise buying process, why franchisors evaluate you as much as you evaluate them, and smart franchise validation strategies to avoid being sold into the wrong franchise. Tune in and learn to buy with confidence!

“Buying a franchise, probably for most people, is one of the biggest financial decisions they'll ever make. You do it right, it can be life-changing; it was for me. You do it wrong, you rush it, and it could cost you everything. I've seen that as well." ~ Erik Van Horn

In This Episode:

- Why brand recognition isn’t always a good reason to buy

- The four key stages of the franchise buying process

- Understanding that franchisors also evaluate buyers 

- Choosing the right franchise industry for you

- The role of franchise consultants, brokers, and FSOs

- Following the franchisor's process

- Researching and finding the best franchise opportunities

- Reviewing the FDD (Franchise Disclosure Document) the right way

- Asking smart franchise validation questions

- Preparing for Discovery Day and making a decision

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 Download the 100+ Validation Questions To Ask Franchisees! - https://franchisesecrets.com/validationquestions/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

What does it take to go from rock bottom to running a multimillion-dollar business? In this powerful episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Aaron Stokes, an entrepreneur who transformed his early struggles into a thriving empire. From dropping out of school in eighth grade to building a multi-location auto repair business and a highly successful coaching company, Aaron’s journey is a masterclass in resilience, leadership, and business strategy.

Aaron shares the hard lessons he learned in leadership, perseverance, and financial discipline. He opens up about how he overcame a staggering $5.5 million debt without resorting to bankruptcy, highlighting the mindset and strategies that kept his business afloat. Aaron also provides valuable insights into smart asset protection and lease negotiation tactics, equipping entrepreneurs with practical tools to safeguard their businesses and maximize profitability. Whether you're navigating financial challenges or looking to scale your business wisely, Aaron’s experience offers invaluable lessons for every entrepreneur. Listen now to learn how to avoid financial pitfalls and persevere through obstacles!

“A lot of entrepreneurs don't understand that the pain is what has brought them so far because they learned something so deep." ~ Aaron Stokes

In This Episode:

- Aaron’s early struggles and entrepreneurial journey

- Overcoming $5.5M debt without bankruptcy

- How to move forward despite difficult times

- Aaron's trait that helped him overcome obstacles

- Accomplishing your vision after going through challenges

- What's next for Aaron Stokes?

- Aaron's words of wisdom for entrepreneurs 

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

🌐 The Obstacle Is the Way by Ryan Holiday - https://www.amazon.com/dp/1591846358

🌐 Back to Life: The Story of Shop Fix Academy and Aaron Stokes - https://shopfixacademy.com/back-to-life-shop-fix-academy-documentary/

Connect with Aaron Stokes:

🌐 Website - https://www.eurofixonline.com/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-stokes-969012109/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/ 

Are you thinking about selling your franchise? Whether it’s next year or years down the line, the key to a successful exit is preparing now. In this episode, Erik Van Horn and multi-brand franchisee Daniel Castellini reveal the insider secrets to maximizing your franchise’s value and attracting the right buyer. 

Erik and Dan dive into the challenges of preparing a franchise for sale, from cleaning up financials to building systems that ensure a smooth transition. Dan also shares insights from his experience as both a seller and a buyer, revealing what makes a business attractive to potential buyers and private equity firms.

Learn actionable tips on preparing a business for sale, negotiating terms, and understanding what buyers are truly looking for. Whether you’re years away from selling or considering an exit soon, this episode offers a roadmap to maximizing your franchise’s value.

Tune in and learn how to build a business that’s always ready to sell.

“I think when you know what to expect, that's probably the most critical thing. As far as actually dealing with the negotiation, I think a lot of that is gonna be personality-based. Some of that is just gonna happen naturally." ~ Daniel Castellini

In This Episode:

- The first time Dan thought about selling

- Knowing your buyer: private equity vs. individual buyers

- Pros and cons of seller financing

- Handling emotions during negotiations

- The hardest part about preparing for the sale

- Preparing for the sale and what happens to your staff

- How to negotiate the sale 

- Why clean financials are essential for selling your franchise

- Why every franchisee needs an exit strategy

- What's next for Dan?

Resources: 

🌐 Consult with Erik - https://form.jotform.com/222685728939070

🌐 Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617   

🌐 Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617 

🌐 Franchisees and franchisors find proven tactics and strategies to scale YOUR businesses - https://scalablefranchise.com/

Connect with Daniel Castellini:

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-castellini-190b0448/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/   

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/  

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/  

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/