Social Geek

Dawn Weiss is the owner of Markonnect Franchise Marketing & Communications. Dawn shares some advice that franchisors need to hear for the rest of 2020 including: 

Thanks to Social Joey and MFV’s Online Franchise Expo!

The Franchise News Podcast for Wednesday, August 5, 2020.

In the news this week:​

Aaron's Inc, John Robinson, Douglas Lindsay, Steve Olsen

The Local Culinary, Alp Franko

Childrens Lighthouse Schools, Michael Brown

Auntie Anne's, Heather Neary

Domino's, Art D'Elia

Terminix, Alex Ho

Two Maids & A Mop, Paul Ebert

Juice It Up!, Susan Taylor

AR Homes, Chap Tippin, Mitzi Hatori, David Barin

Focus Brands, Dawn Ray

Code Ninjas, Justin Nihiser

International Franchise Association, Haider Murtaza

Angela Coté

Dawn Weiss

Thanks to Benetrends and Social Joey

In this episode, we interview Mary Kennedy Thompson, CFE, Chief Operating Officer of Neighborly. 

As chief operating officer (COO), Mary oversees the ongoing business operations within Neighborly. Working hand-in-hand with 13 brand presidents, she leads the execution of strategies. Prior to her appointment as COO, Mary served as executive vice-president of Neighborly and president of Mr. Rooter® for nine years. Mary served eight years in the U.S. Marine Corps as a logistics officer. She began franchising 25 years ago as a multi-unit franchisee at Cookies by Design. After successfully selling her franchises, Mary joined the corporate headquarters to build their field support program, eventually leading the brand as its president. As president of Mr. Rooter®, U.S. Business Review selected Mary as one of its Editor's Choice Executives of the Year. The International Franchise Association (IFA) awarded Mary the Bonny Levine Award, IFA’s highest award for women who have made an impact on franchising and the Crystal Compass award for extraordinary leadership in franchising. A certified franchise executive, Mary serves as a trustee for the IFA’s Educational Foundation.

Interviewed by Katherine LeBlanc, Chief Marketing Officer at Painting with a Twist. 

The IFA Women's Franchise Committe presents:

Her Success: Stories of Female Franchise Leaders

In this episode, we interview Marianne Murphy, CFE, Vice President of Brand Experience at Floor Coverings International. A veteran of franchising with over 30 years of experience, Marianne joined Floor Coverings International® , a FirstService Brands company, in October

2011, and currently holds the role of Vice President, Brand Experience. In addition, Marianne is an active participant in the International Franchise Association, having received the designation of Certified Franchise Executive (CFE), and previously served on the IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee. She was awarded the 2014 Crystal Compass Award. Throughout her career in the

Real Estate and Franchising industries, she has engaged with numerous audiences on topics ranging from Selling in a Down Market to The Power of Connecting. She holds a B.A. from Rutgers College, New Brunswick, NJ. Marianne was interviewed by Liane Caruso, CFE a franchise marketing consultant and fractional CMO for various franchise brands.

“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.