Free Agent with Meg Schmitz

Sharon Cupach has been a resource and mentor to many in the franchise community. She spent several years as an entrepreneur herself partnering with emerging brands, setting systems and processes in place as well as outsourced franchise development responsibilities.In this episode, Sharon and I discuss: - Aligning with ESSENTIAL need-based businesses for resilience and financial success - Some of our favorite analogies tackling fear and success - Getting your foot in the door early gives Early Adopters a louder voice and more flexibility.

One of my great pleasures is to have decades of relationships with business owners I have placed and the franchise developers who helped those candidates land safely. Today my guest is one of those "Best In Class" franchise developers who has an instinct for great brands and finding the RIGHT FIT for each individual he works with. In this episode Eric and I talk about: - The Three P's: Positive, Proactive, Persevering Candidates become great owners - Technology pivots and implementations that enable owners to focus on what's important - Doing one thing well in their brands doesn't mean one revenue stream - And the Big Question: Labor, Staffing, and How Do I Make Money Owning This? Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Keausha Bradley-Macklin and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Keausha Bradley-Macklin of Porshanality Media, LLC

Life has changed dramatically for Melissa over the last few years. Now a single mom and done with her corporate gig, she is attempting to organize her finances to achieve the diversification dream once again. Melissa hit me with a series of questions that reflected not only her interests, but also her concerns.In this interview I field questions from Melissa that are timely and universal. Our topics include: - What will be successful where I live, regardless of the economy or pandemic? - Why is there a stigma that franchising is somehow cheating in business? - What if I fail? What if I lose everything? Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Keausha Bradley-Macklin and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Keausha Bradley-Macklin of Porshanality Media, LLC

In this episode, my guest Career Transition specialist, Teegan Bartos shares her thoughts on finding joy in your work, and saying YES to diversifying your income streams for greater FUN in gaining financial rewards and insulation. We discuss: - Pandemic trauma has empowered people to find their true value systems to find fulfillment - Corporate Women who struggle to leave guilt behind and gain confidence to diversify outside of the job - Gaining efficiencies through use of business apps and platforms Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Keausha Bradley-Macklin and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Keausha Bradley-Macklin of Porshanality Media, LLC

In this episode I interview President and Area developer of FocalPoint, Jason Weseman. Jason Weseman is a man of many talents, and the best of those is a coach/mentor. Each of his four kids have had the benefit of their dad being a hands-on dad and coaching their respective sports teams. How did Jason get the time to do all this? In this episode, we discuss the Three Pillars of business ownership: your wife, your life, and your money. Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

My guest on this episode is a true leader in the advancement of franchise systems. Josh Skolnick, Co-Founder and Chairman of HorsePower Brands, has a deep history in entrepreneurial activity. In this episode we discuss: - The challenges and rewards of franchising - The importance of listening to the customer and leadership - Creating a foundation of transparency Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

What do you do when your forever job is eliminated? Melanie Ramos, formerly a Walt Disney World leader, shares her journey to discovering her best next move. In this episode we discuss: - Finding a franchise option with flexibility - Ramping up to profitability - Tapping into support for success Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

Jim and Diane share their journey of franchise ownership, passing the business on as a family legacy, and now lead the International Franchise Development efforts for Tutor Doctor. This episode features great highlights about: - The tutoring business - The role of the business owner - Staffing simplicity Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

Meet Brian and Jason Miller of Patrice & Associates. This father and son duo are experts with decades of experience in recruiting. They know exactly who will be successful owning a staffing business, and the training programs that go into perfect execution. In this episode you will hear about: - Patrice & Associates stunning growth during the pandemic - Pivots into virtual relationship development - 2022 goals they have their franchise owners to be more successful Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC

Amy LeClerc is laser-focused on building a great franchise. And making sure that the path to expansion is clearly marked for her owners. She cut her teeth with a New York advertising agency, and loved the opportunity to build a story with brands that make a big impact. In this episode, Amy and I discuss: - Why it's easy for her to recognize a great brand and build customer loyalty - Expanding across the country with faith in the right Pioneering owners who are taking huge risks - Building a franchise where owners leverage their organizational skills, not practice the trade itself Credits: Hosted by Meg Schmitz Produced by Kacia Huynh and Porsha Williams Gates of Porshanality Media, LLC Editing by Kacia Huynh of Porshanality Media, LLC