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Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine, joins The Sidekick Life to unpack personal branding, LinkedIn growth, and using AI without losing your voice. He explains why “before you do LinkedIn well, you have to do YOU well,” reframing personal branding as building a simple, repeatable, scalable brand—not oversharing the “personal.” Jason shares his “Opportunity Set B” philosophy for creating breakout opportunities no one asked you to do, his 5% Character framework for focus, a three-hook content system for scroll-stopping posts, and how he engages at scale without automation traps. We also hit AI (his “microwave oven” analogy), first-draft workflows, building ownable IP, telling founder origin stories that convert, and a great lesson from interviewing Jimmy Fallon on testing your assumptions. If you’re an entrepreneur or creator looking to grow reputation, drive revenue, and build an audience you own, this episode is your playbook.

What you’ll learn:
• Brand vs. “personal” and the 5% Character
• The three-hook post formula (visual, relevance, tease)
• Opportunity Set B: the real career accelerator
• Practical AI for first drafts & workflows
• Comment/DMinbox strategies that turn followers into fans
• How to tell an origin story that sells

Donald Miller on the Magic of Words, Messaging, and the StoryBrand Framework

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with best-selling author and StoryBrand creator Donald Miller—live from the Franchise Sidekick annual event in Scottsdale, AZ.

Donald breaks down how simple, repeatable soundbites can transform your marketing, attract more customers, and help people finally understand what you do. He shares the five-part PEACE framework (Problem, Empathy, Answer, Change, Result), explains why “confusion is the enemy,” and reveals how businesses from startups to giants like Ford and Procter & Gamble have skyrocketed sales by changing just a few words.

You’ll hear:

• The real story behind how StoryBrand was born

• Why great messaging beats great products

• How to turn customers into brand evangelists

• The one mental rule that drives all human decision-making

If you’ve ever struggled to explain what you do—or want to master the words that sell—this conversation is your blueprint.

🎧 Tune in to learn how to simplify your message, scale your impact, and speak the “magic words” that grow your business.

From a late-night simulator session with friends to 300+ locations in five years—this is the wild rise of The Back Nine, the fastest-growing golf simulator franchise in America. Founder & CEO Wil Bangerter joins Ryan and Tyler to share how he walked away from a law career, turned an “unhealthy golf addiction” into a scalable business, and built a franchise system that’s redefining indoor golf.

In this episode:

• The garage-to-franchise origin story (COVID year → soft opening → first members)

• Why golfers love the 24/7, automated, no-pressure model—and how software makes it work

• Picking the right simulator tech (accuracy = retention) and building sticky memberships

• The first 10 franchisees: pioneers, pricing, and lessons from messy beginnings

• Hitting zero sales…then a seven-figure month and sustained 15–30 deals/month

• Partnerships with Full Swing, TGL, and NBC’s tee time network

• How Wil’s role evolved from floor-scraper to culture-builder and franchise support leader

• What it takes to scale responsibly: territory mapping, ops hiring, and franchisee success

Who it’s for: aspiring franchise owners, emerging franchisors, golf/fitness operators, and anyone curious how to turn passion into a durable business.

If you’re exploring franchise ownership, grab our free 20-minute training: 10,000 Locations & Counting—The Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint.

Why do Franchises Fail?

Franchising looks like one of the safest bets in business — thousands of brands, hundreds of thousands of owners, and billions added to the U.S. economy. But the truth? Not every franchise is built to last.

In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen pull back the curtain on why franchise brands fail — not just the local shops, but the franchisors themselves. From high-profile collapses like Quiznos and Boston Market to the hidden traps in emerging brands, we explore the red flags you should know before investing your time, money, and future.

We dive deep into:

• What the data really says about franchise closures

• The difference between failing franchisees vs. failing franchisors

• Leadership mistakes that sink even national brands

• The hidden dangers of undercapitalization, oversaturation, and supply chain gaps

• The risks of “franchise creators” and franchising too early

• Why development schedules and licensing laws can make or break a new brand

• How Franchise Sidekick protects buyers and sets them up for long-term success

Whether you're a prospective franchisee or just curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this episode is packed with hard-earned insight and actionable advice.

Part-time franchise ownership is one of the most misunderstood—and most desired—paths in franchising. Can you really keep your job, hire someone else to run the business, and still make money?

In this episode, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen break down the truth about part-time franchise ownership. They share real-life stories, step-by-step frameworks, and the S.T.I.C. system for finding the right operator to help you scale without burning out.

You'll learn:

• What “part-time” really means (and how many hours it takes)

• The best industries for flexible franchise ownership

• How to find and incentivize your “STIC person”

• The daily/weekly/monthly cadence every part-time owner must follow

• The biggest myths, mistakes, and pitfalls to avoid

Whether you're a busy professional, investor, or couple exploring franchising, this episode gives you the blueprint to build a franchise that runs without running your life.

🔗 Learn more at franchisesidekick.com
🎓 Sign up for the free webinar: 10,000 Locations and Counting: The Franchise Buyer’s Blueprint

Ready to own a franchise but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and senior advisor Anthony Hudson count down the Top 10 Franchise Brands of Summer 2025—the ones our clients can’t stop talking about. From home services and med spas to golf simulators and unique mobile concepts, we share why these brands are surging, what makes them stand out, and where prime territories are still up for grabs. If you want the inside scoop on what’s hot in franchising right now, this is your shortcut.

Your business is growing… but so is the chaos. In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with Ford Saeks—Business Growth Accelerator, keynote speaker, and CEO of Prime Concepts—to unpack how scaling shouldn't come with burnout, confusion, or overwhelm.

Ford reveals why most businesses don’t actually have a growth problem—they have a systems problem. From diagnosing hidden inefficiencies to creating accountability, Ford brings decades of experience helping franchise brands and entrepreneurs build smarter, stronger operations.

You’ll hear:

• Why mindset is the starting point of sustainable growth

• How to uncover “buried bodies” in your business (and fix what’s really broken)

• The four essential ways to scale any company

• How AI can drive profitability and reduce operational headaches

• Ford’s personal leadership wake-up call—and how it changed his businesses forever

If you're a franchisee, founder, or growth-minded operator ready to scale with clarity and confidence, this episode is your blueprint.

In this episode of Boring Business, Big Profits, hosts Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen sit down with Dan Claps, CEO of Voda Cleaning and Restoration. Dan shares his journey of turning a "boring" industry—home cleaning and restoration—into a thriving, recession-resistant franchise model. From starting with one location in Northern Virginia to scaling Voda to over 200 locations in just two years, Dan reveals the hidden potential of "dirty businesses" like cleaning, junk removal, and restoration, and why they can be some of the most profitable ventures in any economy. If you're curious about building a franchise that quietly thrives, this episode will change the way you view the home services industry. Tune in to hear about Dan's unique approach, why boring businesses might be your path to big profits, and the lessons he's learned along the way. Don't miss out on this inspiring conversation!

Listen now to discover how you can make a big impact in the world of "boring" business and create a profitable, sustainable franchise.

From Laid Off to Launched: Nina's Bold Leap into Franchise Ownership

When Nina unexpectedly lost her job, she didn’t retreat—she recalibrated. In this episode of The Sidekick Life, we sit down with Nina, a former product marketing pro turned Voda Cleaning and Restoration franchisee, to explore how she turned a 5-out-of-10 confidence score into full-blown business ownership.

Nina shares the raw truth of facing uncertainty, researching brands with her husband, and ultimately choosing a recession-resistant franchise model. Oh—and did we mention she launched in the middle of a hurricane?

From using a ROBS and SBA loan combo to hiring experts who could hit the ground running, Nina breaks down every step of her journey, including her commitment to being “mayor of the town” and building long-term community trust.

If you’re sitting at a crossroads wondering “Could I really own a business?”—this is your sign to find out.

🎙️ What you'll hear:

• Why franchising offered Nina a smarter, faster path to ownership

• How she overcame fear and analysis paralysis

• The power of validation, support systems, and hiring right

• What it’s like launching a business with a toddler in tow

• Why being in business “for yourself but not by yourself” matters more than ever

Whether you're facing a layoff, seeking more meaning in your work, or simply curious about franchising—this episode is for you.

Is franchising a scam? Or is it one of the most misunderstood paths to business ownership? In this episode of The Sidekick Life, Ryan Zink and Tyler Altenhofen take on the internet trolls and viral hot takes to unpack the truth behind franchising.

They explore the most common criticisms of franchising—like "you're just buying a job" or "you don't really own the business"—and break down what the data actually says. From SBA default rates to franchise success stories, this episode gives you the facts to make your own call.

You’ll learn:

• Why some franchises fail—and what successful ones do differently

• The real difference between franchising and starting from scratch

• How franchisors make money (and what that means for franchisees)

• What it really means to “own” a franchise business

• Why the most successful investors focus on scaling, not DIY

Whether you’re franchise-curious or just skeptical about the business model, this episode will challenge assumptions and provide clarity backed by real-world experience.

Ready to build your own business and take back your freedom: https://webinars.franchisesidekick.com/ref/LDRCtfTNBbAhWhRw