Stars of Franchising

Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College
  • 4.8 (12)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Biweekly

“How do I find and choose the right franchise opportunity?” “How do I overcome the obstacles and bounce back from the setbacks?” “How do I achieve the scale I’m after?”   Join hosts Ab Igram and Vini Onyemah to learn from the global pioneers, innovators, and visionaries who are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams through the franchise business model.New episodes every other week. 

  1. Jun 24

    Stacy Bahrenfuss, Founder of Soul Charge

    In this episode of Stars of Franchising, Stacy Bahrenfuss—founder of Soul Charge—shares a powerful perspective on leadership, growth, and sustainability in franchising and entrepreneurship. Drawing from her journey from real estate success to inner transformation, Stacy challenges traditional definitions of success and highlights the unseen emotional and mental costs of scaling.  This conversation explores how leaders can build high-performing businesses without sacrificing their well-being, emphasizing alignment, intentionality, and internal clarity as the true drivers of external results.  What if the biggest thing holding your business back… is your internal state?  Just wrapped an incredible Stars of Franchising episode with Stacy Bahrenfuss, and one idea really stood out:  👉 “Internal state first. External results always respond.”  In franchising and entrepreneurship, we talk nonstop about growth—units, revenue, expansion…  But we don’t talk enough about the hidden cost of scaling:  •The pressure leaders carry  •The misalignment that starts at the top  •The burnout that quietly builds during growth  Stacy challenged the traditional playbook with a simple but powerful shift:  ✅ Success isn’t about doing more  ✅ It’s about aligning more  Some key takeaways for franchise leaders:  •Your energy and clarity set the tone for your entire system  •Growth breakdowns often start with misalignment at the beginning  •The best leaders are intentional about how they show up—not just what they do  And one of my favorites: 👉 We need to move from “I win through sacrifice” to “I win because I’m aligned.”  If you’re scaling a brand (or thinking about it), this episode is a must-listen.  #Franchising #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Scaling #Mindset #TFFI #Babson

    36 min

  2. Jun 10

    Jamie Lavigne, Ever Smith Brands

    “You have to choose your hard—and then embrace it.”  On the latest episode of Stars of Franchising, we sit down with Jamie Lavigne—franchise development leader at Ever Smith Brands—to dig into what separates great franchisors from the rest.  With nearly two decades of experience across legacy and emerging brands, Jamie shares candid insights into the franchising journey—from how the best franchisors build strong support systems and evolve their training, to the critical importance of transparency, due diligence, and unit economics.   She also pulls back the curtain on franchise development, describing it not as selling—but as guiding candidates through a structured process to determine true fit. Along the way, Jamie challenges common misconceptions, highlights the risks of being “too entrepreneurial” in a franchise system, and explains why understanding how you might fail is just as important as knowing how to succeed.   Listeners will walk away with practical advice on evaluating franchise opportunities, building resilience, and embracing the reality that entrepreneurship—whether independent or franchised—is never easy, but deeply rewarding when approached the right way.  Jamie also holds a position on the Board of Directors of NEFA: https://newenglandfranchiseassociation.com

    42 min

  3. May 26

    David Owasi: Systems, Speed, and Scale: Applying AI in Franchise Operations

    How can franchise systems leverage artificial intelligence to enhance operational consistency while improving financial performance? In this episode, David Owasi offers a systems-oriented perspective on AI adoption in franchising, emphasizing the importance of structured processes and rapid lead engagement. The conversation explores how AI-driven tools can reinforce established playbooks, reduce variability across units, and enable franchisees to capture opportunities that would otherwise be lost due to capacity constraints. Owasi also discusses implementation strategies, including pilot programs, franchisor-led standardization, and tiered adoption models. The episode concludes with reflections on the enduring importance of systems thinking in franchising, particularly as AI becomes an integral component of operational infrastructure. “We don’t rise to the level of our goals—we fall to the level of our systems.” –David Owasi

    42 min

  4. May 12

    Aaron Harper, Rolling Suds Founder & Chairman

    “Everything I do, personally and professionally, is to enhance the lives of my family.”  – Aaron Harper In this episode, Aaron Harper shares a deeply personal and practical perspective on franchising, scaling, and leadership. Grounded in family, purpose, and discipline, Aaron walks through what it really takes to build a fast‑growing franchise system—financially, emotionally, and structurally. From pre‑investing millions before launch to “firing yourself” as the business evolves, Aaron offers an unfiltered look at sustainable growth in franchising.

    42 min

  5. Apr 14

    Elyse Lupin - Elysium Marketing Group

    Elyse (Elysium Marketing Group) shares how she built and scaled a franchise-focused marketing agency—why she chose franchising, what franchise development marketing requires, and how she leads a high-trust team while using AI as an efficiency tool (not a substitute for judgment).  “Entrepreneurship is not a straight line… everything in this journey is just a phase. So you’ve gotta push through that phase, and then you get to the next part.” -Elyse Lupin

    32 min

  6. Feb 11

    Colleen Upham, Co‑Founder & CEO, Oh Deer

    This week, we sit down with Colleen Upham, co‑founder of Oh Deer, the all‑natural deer, tick, and mosquito control franchise redefining eco‑friendly home services across the country.  Colleen’s story is a powerful blend of mission, resilience, and heart. From mixing formulas in a basement while raising newborn twins to building a franchise system rooted in community and care, she shares what it takes to grow the right way—with intention, values, and a commitment to franchisee success.  We cover:  ✔️ Building a purpose‑driven brand  ✔️ Knowing when to pause growth to strengthen systems  ✔️ Selecting franchisees who align with your mission  ✔️ How innovation often comes from the field  ✔️ Balancing entrepreneurship and family  ✔️ Why “all‑natural” is more than a trend—it’s the future  One of my favorite takeaways from Colleen: “Never give up. Take a breath, reevaluate, and move forward stronger.”  🎧 Listen now and get inspired: Stars of Franchising (Babson College)

    47 min

  7. Jan 28

    Patrick Cunningham: Chief Development Officer, Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay

    “Your role is to build the business… You can have any conversation with a franchisee if you have a solid relationship. That’s the foundation of everything I’ve learned in the franchise business.” — Patrick Cunningham  In this episode of Stars of Franchising, hosts Ab Igram and Vinnie Onyemah sit down with veteran franchise executive Patrick Cunningham, whose nearly 30‑year career spans Domino’s, Dunkin’, Baskin Robbins, Little Caesars, and now Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay.  Patrick shares how he went from selling molecular sieves to becoming one of franchising’s most respected development leaders, discussing the power of relationship‑driven franchising, the realities of operational challenges today, and what makes Bobby Flay’s brand such an exciting emerging concept.  He offers candid insights on:  Building trust between franchisors and franchisees How ownership changes (private equity, public companies) affect systems What great operators look like — and why they matter more than markets The biggest myths about franchising Growth challenges around labor, capital, and real estate Leadership lessons, mentorship, and why “family comes first” Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, operator, or aspiring leader in multi‑unit retail, this conversation is loaded with wisdom, honesty, and practical takeaways.

    40 min

  8. 12/17/2025

    Ruzanna Queenan: Building Wealth Beyond the Franchise

    Learn how successful franchise owners build wealth, protect their financial future, and scale with confidence in this powerful episode of Stars of Franchising. Ab sits down with financial strategist and franchise‑focused advisor Ruzanna Queenan to explore the essential financial habits every franchisee needs—whether you're opening your first unit or running a fast‑growing multi‑unit operation. Ruzanna shares her journey from early financial hardship to becoming a trusted advisor for entrepreneurs, revealing why money mindset matters more than math and how personal financial patterns can impact franchise performance. She breaks down the biggest mistakes new franchisees make, including relying solely on business growth for retirement, underestimating cash‑flow pressures, and neglecting long‑term planning. Listeners will discover: • How to build a strong financial foundation for franchising • The critical difference between corporate careers and entrepreneurship • Why cash flow, budgeting, and disciplined distributions determine long‑term success • How a Virtual Family Office can support franchise owners with CPAs, attorneys, lending experts, and more • When to start building your franchise exit strategy (spoiler: day one) • The rise of women in franchising and the challenges they’re overcoming • How AI and emerging tech are reshaping franchise operations and financial decision‑making Whether you're exploring franchise ownership, preparing to scale, or looking to strengthen your financial systems, this episode delivers actionable insights to help you grow smarter—not just bigger. Perfect for franchisees, franchisors, small‑business owners, and anyone seeking long‑term wealth through franchising.

    36 min
See All (51)

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

“How do I find and choose the right franchise opportunity?” “How do I overcome the obstacles and bounce back from the setbacks?” “How do I achieve the scale I’m after?”   Join hosts Ab Igram and Vini Onyemah to learn from the global pioneers, innovators, and visionaries who are realizing their entrepreneurial dreams through the franchise business model.New episodes every other week. 

Information

  • Creator
    Tariq Farid Franchise Institute at Babson College
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    51
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Stars of Franchising
  • Show Website
    Stars of Franchising