Welcome to the Get Up and Scale Podcast with hosts Kai Kaapro and Justin Buzzi. In this episode, we dive into the latest news in the tourism industry, with a primary focus on private equity's growing interest in franchising. We examine why franchising is less prevalent in tourism, discuss the potential for replication in various types of tours, and consider both the challenges and advantages of converting existing businesses into franchises. The hosts also analyze successful strategies from leading franchises like Crumbl Cookies and discuss the impact of technology on making franchising more efficient. Finally, they explore the opportunities for high-margin bolt-ons and the importance of networking within the industry for growth.

 

• 00:00 Introduction and Hosts' Catch-Up
• 01:02 4th of July Plans and Traditions
• 02:07 Private Equity in the Franchise Industry
• 03:36 Challenges and Opportunities in Tourism Franchising
• 09:14 Fastest Growing Franchises
• 13:10 Conversion Franchising and Bolt-On Concepts
• 17:14 Conclusion and Networking Insights

In this episode, we dive into the story of Zoom Room, a dog training franchise that faced significant challenges early on. We explore their initial mistakes, such as picking wrong franchisees and growing without a plan, which led to a two-year moratorium on sales. With a new CEO, strategic improvements, and a focus on unit economics, the franchise rebounded, expanding from 10 to 45 locations.

Source: https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/these-5-brands-are-conquering-the-franchise-industry-at/467126

We also discuss the six stages of the franchisee-franchisor relationship, addressing common struggles and the importance of financial performance and support systems in nurturing a successful and happy franchisee ecosystem.

Source: https://www.franchise-chat.com/resources/the_e_factor.htm

Chapters:

• 00:00 Introduction to Zoom Room's Franchise Journey
• 00:20 Challenges and Initial Struggles
• 00:39 Turning Point: New Leadership and Strategy
• 01:30 The Importance of Happy Franchisees
• 01:59 Understanding Franchisee Satisfaction
• 02:39 The Six Stages of Franchisee-Franchisor Relationship
• 04:22 Detailed Breakdown of the Six Stages
• 08:57 Final Thoughts on Franchisee Relationships

In this episode of Get Up and Scale, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour sit down with Jonathan Breines, the business owner of Damn Good Beer Bus, to delve into the world of franchising.

Jonathan, ready to franchise his thriving beer tour business, asks insightful questions about franchising strategies, market potential, and the importance of robust systems and processes.

 Kai and Justin share their experiences and advice on how to scale effectively, the significance of knowing your market, and the challenges and rewards of the franchising journey.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from industry leaders and learn whether franchising is the right path for your business.

In this episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett sit down with Kelsey Tonner from Guest Focus, a tour business coaching practice that has helped over 2,000 tour operators from 75+ countries since 2015.

Kelsey shares his journey from being a tour guide in the Canadian Rockies to becoming a renowned tour business coach. They delve into the secrets of creating memorable and profitable tour experiences through Kelsey’s Unforgettable Product Pyramid, the importance of understanding and targeting your ideal guest, and effective strategies for scaling a tour business.

Whether you’re a small tour operator or looking to expand across multiple states, this episode is packed with actionable insights and strategies to elevate your tour business. 

 

Follow Guest Focus on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@guestfocus

In this episode of the Get Up and Scale podcast, hosts Justin Buzzi, Kai Kaapro, and Brett sit down with Douglas Quinby, a key figure in the tourism industry and counterpart to Bruce from Arrival. Douglas brings a wealth of information as they delve deep into the dynamics of the tourism industry, including OTA (Online Travel Agency) trends, customer segmentation, and market strategies. They explore the importance of understanding different customer cohorts and discuss the technological advancements that are shaping the future of tourism. 

Douglas also shares his outlook for the remainder of the year, offering valuable insights and actionable strategies for tourism operators.

This episode is packed with practical advice and expert perspectives, making it a must-listen for anyone in the tourism sector.

In this episode of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, we’re thrilled to welcome Brennen Bliss, CEO of Propellic, an SEO agency renowned for its expertise in the travel industry. Brennen has an impressive track record, starting with humble beginnings and growing into a leader in digital marketing. Join us as we delve into Brennen’s journey and explore the latest trends and strategies in SEO and paid media for travel and tourism businesses.

Key topics include:

• SEO Fundamentals: Understanding the core aspects of SEO, including content strategy, technical SEO, and authority building.

• Impact of AI on SEO: How Google’s shift towards AI-generated search results is changing the landscape and what businesses need to do to adapt.

• Practical Tips: Brennen’s advice on conversion tracking, effective ad budgeting, and local SEO strategies for tours and activities.

• Future of Paid Media: Insights on new ad formats and how to leverage first-party data for retargeting in a world without third-party cookies.

• Case Studies: Real-life examples of SEO successes and challenges faced by travel companies.

 

Find Brennen Bliss

His Agency: https://www.propellic.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brennenbliss/

Don’t miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable tips to help you scale your travel business.

In Episode 11 of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, Kai and Justin welcome Chad Brodsky, founder of City Brew Tours and CBT Group. Chad started City Brew Tours back in 2008 and has since grown it into a thriving franchise business. Join us as we delve into Chad’s journey, from starting a brewery tour in Burlington, Vermont, to expanding across multiple cities, and his recent foray into kid-focused scavenger hunts with Kid Crawl. Key topics include:  • Starting Out: Chad shares how the Great Recession and a love for craft beer sparked the idea for City Brew Tours.  • Early Challenges and Growth: Insights into the initial hurdles and how Chad balanced a full-time job while growing his business.  • Expansion and Franchising: The journey from opening additional corporate locations to franchising, and the importance of marketing and operational changes.  • Pandemic Pivot: How City Brew Tours adapted during COVID-19 and the birth of Unboxed Experiences.  • Innovating with Kid Crawl: Chad’s latest venture and his plans to create engaging, tech-driven scavenger hunts for families. Chad’s story is a testament to resilience, innovation, and the power of franchising. Don’t miss this engaging conversation filled with practical tips and inspiring anecdotes. Stay tuned, subscribe, and get ready to scale your tourism business with insights from industry leaders!

In Episode 10 of the Get Up and Scale Podcast, Kai, Justin, and Brett dive deep into the current market conditions for tourism experience operators in 2024. They discuss their observations from the first half of the year and share actionable strategies to prepare for the future.

Key topics include:

Market Performance: Justin shares how his business has seen a remarkable 13.7% year-to-date growth despite industry-wide reports of a soft year.

Economic Factors: The team explores the unpredictable economic environment, inflation's impact, and how different segments of the tourism industry are affected.

Marketing Innovations: From the effectiveness of YouTube shorts and TikTok to the surprising trends in Google Ads, discover the marketing tactics that are driving results.

Operational Adjustments: Learn about the changes and innovations in operations, such as the introduction of trip protection and value-added services, that are helping businesses thrive.

Future Predictions: The team speculates on the second half of 2024, discussing potential economic impacts, election year uncertainties, and strategies for resilience.

Join us for this insightful episode filled with practical tips and expert predictions to help you navigate the challenges and opportunities in the tourism industry.

Stay tuned, subscribe, and get ready to scale your tourism business in 2024!

Join us on the Get Up And Scale podcast where hosts Kai Kaapro, Justin Buzzi, and Brett Ridenour dive into the entrepreneurial journey of Mike Petrakis, the Founder and CEO of Batch. Mike shares the story behind Batch, a groundbreaking platform that is revolutionizing the way groups plan and book unforgettable experiences. From launching in six new cities in Q1 2024 to creating seamless party planning processes, Mike’s journey is packed with insights and inspiration for anyone looking to scale their business. Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode offers valuable lessons on growth, innovation, and the power of creating memorable experiences.

 

 Show Notes

1. Introduction to Mike Petrakis and Batch
2. Mike's background and the inception of Batch
3. Transition from Bachelorette app to a comprehensive party planning platform
4. Key milestones: Launching in new cities, web improvements, and team growth Importance of building a strong company culture
5. The challenges and rewards of raising venture capital Future plans for Batch and expansion into new markets
6. Insights on trends in the travel and tourism industry Importance of user feedback and adapting to market needs Q&A with hosts: Kai, Justin, and Brett on business growth and innovation Closing thoughts and how to get involved with Batch as a user or partner. 

Join the Party: https://letsbatch.com/

In this electrifying episode of "Get Up and Scale," join us as we catch up with our good friend, Greg Fisher, the visionary co-founder and CEO of Tripshock and WaveRez. From his early days managing a hotel to steering two of the tourism industry’s most impactful companies, Greg’s journey is nothing short of inspiring. Dive deep into the story of how Tripshock revolutionized the Florida Panhandle's tourism scene, transforming it into a hub for thrilling boat tours and seamless adventure bookings. Hear firsthand about the challenges Greg faced and the innovative solutions that propelled his companies to the forefront of the tourism tech world. Greg also pulls back the curtain on his less-known entrepreneurial ventures, like running a magic show and setting up a theater in Destin, showcasing the creativity and versatility that drive his success. Plus, he shares insider tips on how to leverage OTA platforms and digital marketing to amplify your business's reach and efficiency.

The Awkward Watersports Podcast: https://www.watersportpodcast.com/

Tripshock: https://www.tripshock.com/

WaveRez: https://www.waverez.com/