Jeff and Gini interview a very intelligent, outgoing and tan Liberty Harper, VP of Franchise Operations for iTan Franchising. Liberty is experienced as both a franchisee as well as a franchisor, and understands all aspects of the franchise industry. Previous to beginning and managing Liberty Fitness until 2007, Liberty served as a double franchise co-owner with Curves International beginning in 1998, receiving the prestigious Franchisee of Year Award in 1999. Liberty has fine-tuned her focus on international support and training, having worked with franchisees in Dubai , India , Kuwait , China , Singapore , Korea and Qatar after specializing as a franchise services consultant. Most recently Liberty has joined iTAN Franchising, Inc as their Vice President of Franchise Operations. Ms. Harper-Simonsen is also heavily involved in the 16-Chair Women's Franchise Committee of the International Franchise Association . She lead the formation of the WFN of Austin, Northern California , and now serves as the co-chair of the WFN of San Diego . She serves on the membership committee and as an ambassador for the IFA. In addition, Liberty was featured in the February, 2006, issue of Marie Claire magazine in an article entitled “I Made it by Age 30, and So Can You!” Liberty has also been named “Jane of the Month” on Beingjane.com, was the cover story for the 2006 June issue of Austinwoman Magazine, and has been quoted in many national and fitness industry publications including The New York Times , CNN Money , Fitness Business Pro, ACE Fitness Matters, Entrepreneur, Club Business International, Club Industry, Franchise Times and Franchising World among other regional and local news sources.
Jeff and Gini, already fit for life, talk to Kevin Betts, COO for Fitness Together Franchise Corporation, where he oversees the support team and operational services for the company. He previously served as president of Fitness Together Franchise Corporation. Prior to that, he was vice president of Fitness Together for eight years and also served as a consultant for elements therapeutic massage, inc . Betts began his career with Fitness Together as a personal trainer at the store level more than 15 years ago and has grown alongside the organization. He holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Arizona State University. There are currently over 500 Fitness Together franchises sold throughout the United States as well as sites in Canada , Costa Rica , Ireland and Israel . Fitness Together has franchises in Alabama, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., Wisconsin, Wyoming as well as four other countries, Canada, Costa Rica, Ireland and Israel.
Guest: Kevin Betts, COO http://www.fitnesstogether.com/
Jeff and Christine can hear the passion in her voice as they interview Shelly Sun, Co-founder of BrightStar Healthcare. The inspiration for BrightStar Healthcare came from Shelly and her husband JD's own family experience. When their late Grandma was suffering from cancer, they were surprised by how difficult it was to find quality homecare professionals to help care for her. They made calls, left messages, and did a lot of waiting. It took a long time before they finally found people they could trust. They are forever grateful for the help their caregivers provided during their time of need. The creation of BrightStar Healthcare stems from their journey with their Grandma. Shelly & JD made a promise to Grandma that they would create a great company that would provide families and their loved ones the highest level of accessible in home senior care, dignity, and personal attention they
need and deserve. Learn how BrightStar has positioned themselves in the market, and how Shelly brings a CPA's discipline to systems and processes while maintaining a commitment to care.
Guest: Shelly Sun
URL:
http://www.brightstarhealthcare.com
EH Anderson Public Relations focuses on media coverage. With 45 years experience in communications, E.H. Anderson Public Relations responds to the need for an affordable, specialized public relations firm that can support very large marketing programs, while retaining the flexibility and responsiveness not always possible with big agencies. The company launched in 2002. Anderson PR exemplifies the trend toward specialized “boutique” shops that serve as an extension of a corporate or agency marketing team. Elizabeth concentrates on media coverage while Bage, who came on board about a year after the launch, is the idea man. Seven years after the launch, Anderson PR is hitting on all cylinders. Elizabeth and Bage manage a tightly knit group of marketing communications professionals who specialize in all areas of public relations. Some of their clients are guests today on the show, they include Assisting Hands, Screenmobile, Passport Health and Adventure Kids Playcare.
Assisting Hands is a franchise system with a strong emphasis on customer service that provides exceptional non-medical, in-home care to people who are elderly or have special needs. Richard Rennick is CEO & President of Assisting Hands. He founded and led American Leak Detection, a Palm Springs, California-based high-tech service firm with more than 360 franchise units in 41 states and a dozen foreign countries. He pioneered the concept of "leak detection without destruction." He was appointed Chairman of the International Franchise Association Board of Directors for the 2005 term and Chairman of the IFA Educational Foundation in 2004. Rennick brings more than 30 years of franchising experience to the home-care franchise system. The Founder and President of the organization is Dr. Gail Silverstein, who has more than 25 years of experience in the healthcare industry including leadership roles in private and public health care organizations. She also held University faculty appointments in Florida and Arizona, teaching in the areas of managed care, health policy and marketing. It was Gail’s behind-the-scenes knowledge of the health care industry coupled with her personal experience helping her aging father at home that led her to realize there was a serious gap in the area of support, which is why she launched Assisting Hands—to provide a better alternative for the elderly and disabled, and to assist people to age with grace. Dick will be back on The Franchise Show in the very near future to discuss more about Assisting Hands and his 30-years in franchising and association with the IFA.
Guests: - Bage & Elizabeth Anderson and Dick Rennick.
Passport Health - This is a fascinating interview about entrepreneurial vision. In the 1980s, Fran Lessans’ life began to change when she took a special interest in university students studying abroad. As a director of a university health service, she realized that students who received pre-travel immunizations at large area hospitals came back complaining about cost, and knowing little about the immunizations they received or the health risks in the countries to which they were traveling. Fran began to do research for these students and found out how difficult it was to get up-to-date, accurate health information about foreign countries. As her files of educational materials expanded and her reputation grew, the idea of a comprehensive, one-stop travel health clinic was born. In 1994, Fran took her service to a hospital-affiliated medical practice with four sites in and around Baltimore . Today, Passport Health is a national name with offices across the U.S. Franchises are owned by hospital systems, physicians, nurses and entrepreneurs. The Passport Health story is also about seizing opportunities for emerging areas of business such as clinical trials and on-site flu clinics for corporations, schools, and churches. Health issues in the news have also been addressed by Fran’s franchise company, which was called upon to administer antibiotics and Anthrax vaccines to postal and tabloid workers from New Jersey to Florida following the September 11th attacks. An innnovative concept with tremendous potential, Frans and Passport Health will be back on The Franchise Show with an update as quickly as possible.
Guest: Fran Lessans http://www.passporthealthusa.com
It was during his regular haircut and straight-razor shave at his barber club -- an appointment he usually tried to sleep through -- that Chris Hurn really started to listen as his Barber complained about the franchisor. Chris's antenna went up. Chris had spent his career working in finance, most recently has chief executive of his own company, Mercantile Capital Corporation, but for the last few years he'd been interested in running his own franchise system. These complaints gave him a window into the opportunity he had been looking for. He had been a member of Carrs Barber Club for several months. What he didn't know was that it was in trouble. Chris bought the company. As the new owner, Chris was impressed with the British-style barber club, but not with the name. When he finalized the purchase he changed the name to Kennedy's All-American Barber Club. Kennedy means "the ultimate gentleman" which fits with the company's overall goal: to attract affluent men looking for high-class grooming. The concept will be largely the same. Men pay a monthly fee for a club membership, yet it will be fully Americanized all the way to the membership levels "Life", "Liberty" and "Pursuit of Happiness". Kennedy's also includes a 5% of company profits to veterans charities.
Guest: Chris Hurn, CEO, Cofounder & Chairman http://www.kennedysbarberclub.com
Kyle Gjersee, VP of Operations for elements therapeutic massage drops by to discuss health and wellness. Kyle's visit was too brief, so we will have him back shortley to discuss more about the growth of his company, including International Development. elements therapeutic massage provides relief to people of all ages—from infants to seniors—and from all walks of life—from the weekend warrior or competitive athlete to the home gardener or overstressed, overworked executive. Own your own massage therapy business and benefit from joining a franchise company that has over 12 years of franchising experience and over 25 years of business experience. We’ll provide you with all the training, support, and tools you need to open the doors of your new business. No previous industry experience is necessary to join the billion dollar massage therapy industry! Today, our elements therapeutic massage franchise business model provides the same level of service as seen at high-end 5 Diamond spa and wellness centers, but at an everyday price that makes it affordable for everyone to get a massage, virtually on a daily basis. Many wellness entrepreneurs, massage therapists and franchising experts saw the opportunity to benefit from the exciting massage industry. Ourfranchise business grew quickly - selling over 50 locations within the first year!
Guest: Kyle Gjersee http://www.touchofelements.com
Cynthia Gartman gets out of an ice storm to talk to Jeff and Christine about Country Place Living, which has maintained a respected reputation as a leader in the assisted living industry. They own, develop, and franchise quality senior living residences in rural areas, and Cynthia, Jeff, and Christine talk about baby boom demographics and the aging of America. Country Place Living is a place where seniors truly feel at home, remain active, and maintain their dignity. Enter any of their residences and you'll sense something special too. Innovative design, quality construction, and an empowering and professional staff make Country Place Living residences a place where families can be secure in knowing that their parent or loved one is receiving quality and progressive care. Country Place Living creates a better alternative for senior living and at the same time provides a great franchise opportunity for entrepreneurial people seeking a great business.
Looking for a quick, low-cost, and effective workout, in a friendly atmosphere? Anytime Fitness is the right club for you. Anytime Fitness is not only the largest, but is also the fastest-growing fitness club in the world. Nearly doubling in size from 308 to 604 clubs in 2007, and currently opening clubs at a rate of more than one a day, Anytime Fitness expects to celebrate the opening of its 1,000th club before the end of 2009, and is targeting the Northeast and California as markets for agressive growth going forward. Hear Jeff Thames, Jeff D, and Christine discuss the plans for growth, and the unique position Anytime Fitness occupies as an expanding concept within a continuing growth industry--even given the current macro economic challenges.
Guest: Jeff Thames, VP of Sales & COO of Anytime Fitness
Howard Kaplan, CEO of American In-Home, Christine and Jeff discuss the evolution of the automated home with friend and colleague Howard Kaplan. Consumers are demanding comprehensive, packaged solutions in residential system design. America In-Home is a one stop shopping resource for home systems, providing state of the art technology in structured wiring systems, home theater systems, audio-video systems, residential security systems and more. Whether you need home theater, whole-home audio & video, home automation, security, central vac, or California Closets, American In-Home's mission is to bring the best home system to any household. They will work with you as your reliable and superior provider for consultation, design and installation. they pay close attention to details during every step of the process, ensuring a system that encompasses all of your goals within the established budget. http://www.americainhome.com
RETRO FITNESS outlets have 50-60 pieces of Cardio equipment (with personal LCD TV screens), a Retro Movie Theatre, where members can watch their favorite 80's movie, three different types of circuit training equipment, free weights, locker rooms, tanning, Retro Blends Juice bars, and so much more, yet still charge usually half of the competitions prices.
Guest: Eric Casaburi, Owner of Retro Fitness http://www.retrofranchsing.com
Carol La Porta is he VP of Development for Merle Norman Cosmetics. For the past 11 years, she has overseen real estate, lease negotiation, new store development, corporate Studios and store design. Her background includes 20 plus years of experience in retail, franchising and retail operations. Prior to joining Merle Norman, she was the Senior VP of Marketing for PIP Printing.
http://www.merlenorman.com
Kelly Sweeney is both the Vice President of U.S. Sales and a 25 year Jazzercise franchisee. Under her leadership of 26 District Managers and 6,300 U.S. franchisees, Jazzercise has shown consecutive ‘best ever’ years in terms of system wide sales growth. She is a Jazzercise Hall of Fame franchisee, consistently ranking as one of the company’s top 10 franchisees. Jazzercise, the world’s leading dance fitness program, recently posted its most successful year in the company’s 39-year history. System wide sales topped $93 million for the past fiscal year, marking a 9% increase over last year’s totals.
http://www.jazzercise.com
There are now over 34 million people in the U.S. over age 65—approximately 12% of the population. In 25 years, this age group will grow to over 70 million. With our established franchise concept, you can help the right individuals provide valuable non-medical home care services—services that directly impact the quality of life of our clients and their families. Ready for a franchise opportunity that will give you complete control over your financial future? http://www.synergyhomecare.com
There are now over 34 million people in the U.S. over age 65—approximately 12% of the population. In 25 years, this age group will grow to over 70 million. With our established franchise concept, you can help the right individuals provide valuable non-medical home care services—services that directly impact the quality of life of our clients and their families. Ready for a franchise opportunity that will give you complete control over your financial future? http://www.synergyhomecare.com
Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC), a leader within the industry, will continue to maintain and grow their unmatched business model that provides personalized non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement and personal emergency response system to seniors http://www.abc-seniors.com
Always Best Care Senior Services (ABC), a leader within the industry, will continue to maintain and grow their unmatched business model that provides personalized non-medical in-home care, assisted living placement and personal emergency response system to seniors http://www.abc-seniors.com
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