Franchisees are small business owners — but too often, lawmakers don’t see it that way. That misunderstanding has nearly excluded franchisees from critical legislation in the past, from tax credits to PPP funding.

In this episode, April Porter shares her experience at the Franchise Advocacy Summit in Washington, DC, where franchisors, franchisees, and suppliers gathered to push for the American Franchise Act. She breaks down:

✔️ What the American Franchise Act is (and why it matters)

✔️ How joint employer regulations affect the support franchisors can provide

✔️ Why 81% of franchisees remain single-unit owners — and how legislation impacts their growth

✔️ The role of advocacy in protecting franchisee opportunities

This conversation will open your eyes to how government decisions shape your business — and why your voice as a franchisee matters more than you think.

Resources mentioned:

• Learn more about the American Franchise Act (H.R. 5267)

AI is revolutionizing search — and it’s about to upend how customers find your business.

In this forward-thinking episode, April Porter breaks down her conversation with Sean Goldsmith of Grow Global, one of the world’s leading AI experts in franchising. Together, they explore how AI-driven search results are pushing websites and SEO down the page — and what this means for business owners who have relied on digital ads and search rankings to drive growth.

April explains why traditional community-based marketing is making a comeback, and how small businesses can get ahead of this shift by doubling down on in-person networking, local partnerships, and relationship-building.

You’ll discover:

• How AI is rewriting the rules of search and SEO

• Why your business website may become less relevant

• How consumer trust is shifting away from digital platforms

• Why in-person relationships are becoming your biggest competitive advantage

• Practical steps to future-proof your marketing strategy in the AI era

If you’re ready to stop chasing algorithms and start building a marketing foundation that lasts, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Reserve your seat for the Franchise Growth Formula Workshop to learn how to grow smarter.

👉 Explore the Secretsos™ Academy at secretsos.com.

👉 Join us in West Palm Beach this November for the Infinite Franchisee® Conference, learn more and get your tickets at secretsos.com.

Are you working harder than ever in your business… but not seeing the growth you dreamed of?

In this powerful solo episode, April Porter, CEO of Secretsos™ and creator of the Franchise Growth Formula, delivers a wake-up call for entrepreneurs and franchise owners. She explains why most business owners unknowingly cap their own growth by relying on outdated skills, refusing help, and staying in their comfort zone — and why the cost of “playing small” is higher than you think.

You’ll discover:

• Why hard work and hustle won’t get you to the next level

• How fear of failure keeps owners stuck in low-growth cycles

• The real reason 86.3% of business owners never reach a six-figure income

• Why investing in coaching is a non-negotiable for scaling your business

• How to shift from working in your business to working on your business

• The mindset you need to create a sellable, scalable asset instead of a stressful job

This is an honest, motivating conversation designed to help you stop playing small and step into your future self as a true CEO.

👉 Reserve your spot in the Franchise Growth Formula Workshop.

👉 Learn more about the Secretsos™ Academy at secretsos.com.

What happens when a passion project becomes a true business with community impact?

In this inspiring episode, April Porter interviews Secretsos™ Small Business Grant winner Leanna Smith, owner of Therapy: A Feel-Good Boutique in Salem, Oregon. Leanna shares her entrepreneurial journey from real estate to retail, the meaning behind her boutique’s name, and how winning the Native American Business Owner Grant is helping her expand into e-commerce.

You’ll hear:

• How Leanna transitioned from a hobby mindset to a true business owner mindset

• Why Therapy is about more than fashion — it’s about inclusion, affordability, and helping women feel beautiful at any size

• The role of heritage and pride in her identity as a Native American entrepreneur

• How she’s applying lessons from the Franchise Growth Formula workshop to scale sustainably

• The importance of mindset, positivity, and surrounding yourself with the right people when building a business

Whether you’re a small business owner, franchisee, or someone dreaming of starting your own venture, this conversation is a powerful reminder that success comes from vision, strategy, and heart.

👉 Support Leanna and shop Therapy: A Feel-Good Boutique on Facebook and Instagram.

👉 Learn more about the Secretsos™ Small Business Grant and apply at secretsos.com.

Great leaders don’t just set the vision — they bring people along with them. But for small business owners and franchisees, that’s easier said than done when your team spans four different generations with vastly different values, communication styles, and work ethics.

In this episode, April Porter breaks down how to understand, connect with, and motivate Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z so your team not only performs at a high level but actually collaborates across generational lines. You’ll learn:

• The key strengths and values of each generation

• How major life events shaped their outlook and work ethic

• Leadership strategies that meet each generation “where they’re at”

• Practical ways to use team meetings to build collaboration, trust, and retention

• Why self-reflection is the first step to improving your leadership style

If you’ve ever felt frustrated by gaps in communication or differences in motivation on your team, this episode will give you actionable strategies to unite your employees and boost performance — no matter their age or background.

👉 Join the conversation and get help creating your team meeting agendas in our free Facebook group — just reference this podcast when you post!

Most franchisees start their journey as first-time business owners — eager for time freedom, financial growth, and the lifestyle franchising promises. But 81% of franchisees get stuck in single-unit ownership, unable to scale beyond the first location. Why? Because operational training alone isn’t enough.

In this episode, April Porter reveals the telltale signs you’re ready for more professional development — and why franchisors must support their owners with advanced business education. From the dangers of employee mindsets, to the red flags of “going off model,” to the crucial moment of opening a second location, April uncovers the missing component in franchise success: developing franchisees as leaders, strategists, and true entrepreneurs.

If you’re a franchisor or a franchisee eyeing multi-unit growth, this episode will show you what’s holding owners back — and how to accelerate their path to empire building.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• 📅 Join the free Franchise Growth Formula Workshop — designed to help franchisees strengthen business acumen and scale successfully.

• 💬 Connect with April for a complimentary second opinion on your franchise growth strategy.

What if the real reason your franchisees aren’t hitting their numbers has nothing to do with the sales training you’re providing?

In this episode, we break down why more scripts, webinars, and role-play sessions often fail to move the needle — and what you should be focusing on instead. You’ll learn how mindset, subconscious beliefs, and fear of rejection silently sabotage sales performance — and how to overcome these hidden barriers to boost close rates and average unit volume (AUV).

You’ll discover:

• How to spot when “lack of training” isn’t the real problem

• The role subconscious beliefs and fears play in sales performance

• Why some franchisees thrive while others stall with the same tools

• How to bridge the gap between knowing the script and closing the deal

• Practical strategies to boost AUV by addressing mindset and implementation gaps

If you’re ready to help your franchisees overcome mental blocks, improve their sales results, and fully implement your systems, don’t miss the resources April mentions in this episode:

• 📅 Learn more about the Infinite Franchisee Conference — the only event focused on elevating franchisee mindset, emotional intelligence, and entrepreneurial skills.

• 🚀 Explore the Secretsos™ program — designed to close the gap between franchisor training and franchisee performance.

• 💬 Connect with April for a complimentary second opinion on your franchise performance strategy.

🎧 Press play now to discover why fixing performance starts with fixing the person, not just the process.

Tired of paying 40% of your revenue in taxes while hearing about billion-dollar corporations paying almost nothing? In this eye-opening episode, CPA and tax strategist Mackenzie Swanson from Reader CPA Group reveals how small business owners can legally use the same tax code strategies that companies like Amazon employ to dramatically reduce their tax burden.

What You'll Learn:

• Why Amazon paid essentially $0 in federal taxes in 2017-2018 (and how they maintain a 4-7% effective rate today)
• The critical mindset shift from W-2 employee to strategic business owner taxation
• Real-world example: How one client saved an additional $8,000 annually with strategic CPA partnership
• The 3-step action plan to transform your tax approach from reactive to proactive
• How to identify a strategic CPA vs. a compliance-only tax preparer
• Key questions to ask potential CPAs to ensure they'll be true strategic partners

Key Takeaways:✓ The same 75,000-page tax code applies to everyone - you have access to the same strategies as large corporations✓ Investing a few thousand in strategic tax planning typically saves tens of thousands annually✓ Tax strategy should be discussed quarterly, not just during tax season✓ Business intelligence and proactive planning are essential for maximizing tax savings

About Our Guest:Mackenzie Swanson specializes in helping small business owners and franchisees build tax strategies that mirror large corporation approaches. She's part of Reader CPA Group and focuses on businesses from startup through their first three years of growth.

Ready to Transform Your Tax Strategy?Visit Reader CPA Group's website to connect with Mackenzie and her team for a strategic consultation.

This episode is perfect for small business owners, entrepreneurs, and anyone transitioning from W-2 employment to business ownership who wants to legally minimize their tax burden using proven corporate strategies.

Discover why having the same franchise model, systems, and playbook doesn't guarantee success. April Porter shares her personal journey from burnout to breakthrough and reveals why some franchise owners thrive while others struggle—and it has nothing to do with working harder or following the manual better.

In this episode, you'll learn April's 5-step growth framework, plus the mindset shift that helped her team double revenues in just 6 months after she stepped back from day-to-day operations.

• Why following the franchise manual perfectly isn't enough for success
• April's personal story of nearly burning out from overwork
• How to grow yourself first to grow your business
• The 5-phase growth formula: Grow yourself → Learn new skills → Implement strategically → Execute through delegation → Expand
• Why delegation is key to rapid execution (and how April learned to trust her team)
• The SWAG® lifestyle framework: Sanity, Wealth, And Gratitude

Key Takeaways:

• Your business will only grow as much as you grow as a leader
• Success starts with becoming, not just doing
• April's team doubled revenue in 6 months when she stepped back from operations
• You are the determining factor in your business success

April Porter is a franchise growth expert and business coach who helps franchise owners build profitable, sustainable businesses that provide freedom and fulfillment. She's the creator of the SWAG® lifestyle framework and host of business growth workshops.

Resources Mentioned:

• Franchise Growth Formula Workshop
• GET It Activities Framework
• SWAG® Lifestyle System

Episode Timestamps:

• [00:02] Why franchise success isn't about following the manual
• [02:28] The vacation challenge that changed everything
• [04:51] The 5-step framework for franchise success
• [08:58] The garden analogy: Why some businesses thrive while others struggle
• [10:50] GET It activities vs. busy work
• [11:24] Building your SWAG® lifestyle

SEO Keywords:

franchise success, franchise growth, business owner burnout, franchise profitability, small business growth, entrepreneur development, business delegation, franchise management, passive income, business systems, franchise expansion, leadership development

Tags:

#FranchiseBusiness #EntrepreneurLife #BusinessGrowth #PassiveIncome #FranchiseSuccess #BusinessOwner #Leadership #SmallBusiness #BusinessStrategy #WorkLifeBalance

Call to Action:

Ready to transform from overworked franchise owner to elite entrepreneur? Join April's next Franchise Growth Formula Workshop here and learn the fundamentals of growing yourself to grow your business faster.

Perfect for: Franchise owners, small business entrepreneurs, anyone feeling stuck in their business operations, and aspiring business owners looking to avoid common pitfalls.

Are you stuck in the daily grind of "keeping the doors open" while your business growth stagnates? In this episode, April Porter reveals the exact 6-step prioritization framework that helps franchise owners and small business owners break free from busy work and focus on revenue-generating activities that actually move the needle.

What You'll Learn:

• Why most business owners spend 80% of their time on tasks that don't grow their business
• The difference between "Do-Do" tasks (daily operations) and "GET It" activities (growth-focused work)
• A simple 6-question framework to evaluate which tasks deserve your attention
• How to balance emotional urgency with logical decision-making
• Why at least 20% of your time should be dedicated to growth activities
• Real examples of revenue-generating vs. non-revenue-generating tasks

Key Topics Covered:

• Business prioritization strategies
• Entrepreneur mindset development
• Revenue generation tactics
• Task management for small business owners
• Franchise growth strategies
• Time management for entrepreneurs
• Strategic thinking frameworks
• Business growth planning

Perfect for: Franchise owners, small business owners, entrepreneurs feeling overwhelmed by daily operations, and anyone looking to scale their business strategically.

Resources Mentioned:

• Franchise Growth Formula Workshop (Register for Free here)