“I can do better. This is not going to define me.”

Please meet Ruth Agbaji, Founder and CEO of Code Wiz. Ruth shares her incredible journey from growing up in Nigeria and teaching herself how to code (on a Commodore 64, geeks!) to starting her business and growing it into a successful franchise. 

Thanks to Social Joey, AnswerConnect, and Franchise Dictionary Magazine! #WomenofWonder 

Shout out to Tutor Doctor and Angela Coté’s Play Bigger Groups! 

The Franchise News Podcast for Wednesday, July 29, 2020.

In the news this week:​

Ruby Tuesday

Nathan's Famous

Franklin Junction, Aziz Hashim

Taco John's, Jim Creel

Tropical Smoothie Care, Charles Watson

Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate, Jennifer Marchetti

Paychex, Martin Mucci

Spring-Green Lawn Care, Brad Johnson

Restoration Specialties Franchise Group, Chris Ring

Duck Donuts, Dwayne Hoffman

Scenthound, Patti Rother

Jiffy Lube, Edward Hymes

FirstLight Home Care, Kevin Hiler, Glee McAnanly

Dunkin' Brands, Dunkin', Baskin-Robbins

Phillip Auerbach, Stephanie Melter-Paul, Santhosh Kumar

MassageLuxe, Kristen Pechacek

Neighborly, Mark Liston

International Franchise Association, Paul Rocchio

Code Wiz, Ruth Agbaji

Thanks to Benetrends and Social Joey

Magda Khalifa is the author of “American DREAM: Discipline, Resilience, Endurance, Adaptability, and Mentorship to Succeed and Win in Life”. 

Magda shares her inspiring story of joining the US Army right after 9-11 and the transition back to civilian life and starting a global enterprise!

Thanks to Social Joey, Photofy, and VetFran.  

The Franchise News Podcast for Wednesday, July 22, 2020.

In the news this week:​

Franchise Action Network

MFV Expositions

Smashburger, Carl Bachmann

The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Christy Smith

Portillo's, Dino Northway

7-Eleven, Jack Stout

Feeding America

Whataburger

Potbelly, Robert D. Wright

Slim Chickens, Jackie Lobdell, Chris Wyland, Eric Brown

Global Franchise Group, Annica Conrad

Thanks to Benetrends and Social Joey

Ryan Maners is a great fit for Social Geek -- he's a marketing pro, a tech geek, and a franchisor! And as the Senior Director of Marketing at WirelessZone, Ryan is way out in front of the 5G wave.

We discuss the advent of 5G across the country and what opportunity the expansion brings for small businesses, retailers, and the customers they serve.

Be sure to stop by a WirelessZone location to get your free backpack on Sunday, July 26! 

Thanks to Social Joey, Better, and Photofy!

The IFA Women's Franchise Committe presents:

Her Success: Stories of Female Franchise Leaders

In this episode, we interview Paul Pickett, CFE, Paul has 30 years of experience of 'Bringing People and Nature Together’ as the VP of Franchise Development for Wild Birds Unlimited, leading the Franchise Development team to grow the franchise system to over 340 stores. Paul’s career with Wild Birds Unlimited has perfectly combined his love of birds, nature and people.  Paul joined the WBU team as the first full time employee in 1989 shortly after graduating with his Master’s Degree in Biology/Ornithology from the University of North Dakota.   Paul sits on the Advisory Board for the Franchise Update Leadership and Development Conference and chaired the event in 2018.  Paul is a frequent speaker at franchising conferences, sits on both the IFA’s Franchise Relations Committee and Franchisor Forum and is the co-chair of the newly formed IFA Pride Counsel. Interviewed by Michelle Rowan, CFE, President of Franchise Business Review and WFC Committee Chair.

The IFA Women's Franchise Committe presents:

Her Success: Stories of Female Franchise Leaders

In this episode, we interview Mary Ann O'Connell, CFE, President and Founder of FranWise.  Did you know that Mary Ann has a theater degree and worked with commercial real estate? You may be surprised how and why she hired an actor for meetings. Her journey to franchising is inspiring and she had the good fortune to work with outstanding franchises (Money Mailer, Great Clips). She currently sits on the Board of Directors of the International Franchise Association (IFA), is the First Vice Chair of the Supplier Forum Advisory Board and the Chairman of the Membership Committee. Interviewed by WFC Committee member Liane Caruso, CFE, Franchise Marketing Consultant.

The Franchise News Podcast for Wednesday, July 15, 2020:

In the news this week:​

International Franchise Assoication, Robert Cresanti

Franchise Action Network

RSG Group

Gold's Gym

ServiceMaster, Peter Duncanson

Tailored Living, Tom Hillebrandt

Focus Brands, Brian Krause, Tim Muir

Ledo Pizza, Will Robinson

Coolgrens, Larissa Witt

BurgerFi, Charlie Guzzetta

ServiceTitan, Cameron Kerr

Yum Brands, Cameron Davies

Sport Clips, Edward Logan, Gordon Logan

WirelessZone, Ryan Maners

Thanks to Social Joey and Benetrends Financial!

Emily Binder is the chief strategist of Beetle Moment Marketing and is all about Voice!

What’s up with paid results on voice search? How do we prepare our brands now? And, why do you need Sonic Branding? 

Thanks to Social Joey, Photofy, and AnswerConnect.

Shout-outs today to Audiobrain, John Andrews, WallStreetBooyah, and Seth Godin. 

The Franchise News Podcast for Wednesday, July 8, 2020.

In the news this week:​

Neighborly, HouseMaster, Mike Bidwell

Molly Maid, Mary Kay Liston

Radiance Holdings, Sola Salon Studios

The Woodhouse Day Spa, Christina Russell

Wingstop, Charlie Morrison

WirelessZone

Canadian Franchise Association

FASTSIGNS, Mark Jameson

FranServe, Alesia Visconti

St Clair CPAs, Colleen Levin

Fox Rothschild, Elle Vaida Gerhards

SMB Advisors, Dawn Abbamondi

Adswizz

Archive Contents Restoration

Big Mamas & Papas

Casa Group Vending

Frios Gourmet Pops

Mindgrub

Tenet Financial Group

The Loan Source Inc

UniFi Equiptment Finance

Farmer Boys, John Lucas

Red Roof, Alex J. Cisneros

Cousins Subs, JJ Grube

Alan Lundeen, Hilary Krekling

Thanks to Social Joey and Benetrends Financial!