Franchise Empires The Wolf, A Workweek Friend

In this week’s ep, the Wolf’s chatting with Dan Giacomazzi and Artem Lopatchenko, two business partners in one of America’s fastest-growing home services franchises, Ace Handyman Services, about the benefits of having a franchising partner. 
Discover Dan and Artem’s journey in expanding their franchise territory and learn about their favorite strategies for attracting new customers. How do they divide and conquer tasks to maximize efficiency? From marketing tactics to building trust with clients, Dan and Artem share valuable insights for growing a home services franchise.
Plus, hear why beefing with your competition doesn’t always pay off—is it possible that your enemy may actually be your biggest ally?
 
00:01:04 - The Genesis of a Business Partnership
00:06:18 - Finding Complementary Ventures 
00:12:27 - From Four to Five Territories: How Marketing Led to Expansion
00:13:54 - Building Trust for Local Home Services Brands
00:17:32 - The Connection Between Physical Stores and Online Business
00:24:01 - The Benefits of Having a Business Partner
00:26:32 - Starting a Venture: Partner or Solo?
00:33:17 - The Truth About Franchise Ownership
00:36:15 - Are You at Capacity?
00:37:40 - Expanding Home Services Business Vertically
00:45:00 - Residential vs. Commercial Business Split
00:45:52 - Starting and Scaling a Home Service Franchise with Ace Handyman Services
 
Follow Dan: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dgiacomazzi/
 
Follow Artem: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/artemlopatchenko/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Magen Bynum, the founder of Magnolia Soap and Bath, drops by to chat with the Wolf about how she turned a plant-based alternative for sensitive skin into a franchise empire. Discover the inspiring story behind Magen’s creation of Magnolia Soap and how her daughter’s desire for a chemical-free solution led to her franchising journey. 
With plans to open 50+ locations in 2024, Magnolia’s rapid expansion makes it a formidable appointment in the plant-based alternative space. From eliminating harmful chemicals to using natural ingredients like mica for coloring, Magen describes why Magnolia Soap prioritizes the well-being of its customers from head to toe and how she turned a one-time passion project into franchise gold. 
Plus, how does Magnolia Soap balance its direct-to-consumer efforts with franchisee success? And how does its unique experiential marketing approach set it up for long-term franchise growth? Tune in to find out more!
 
00:00:07 - Creating a Plant-Based Alternative Soap
00:05:49 - Eliminating Red Dyes for Allergies
00:07:50 - From Local Retail to Nationwide E-commerce
00:11:17 - The Strategy Behind Magnolia Soap's Corporate Stores
00:14:54 - The Journey of Franchising Success
00:17:18 - Magnolia's Grassroots Marketing and Handmade Products
00:23:25 - Balancing Direct-to-Consumer and Franchising
00:28:36 - Franchise Store Count Doubles in a Year
00:32:04 - Magnolia Plans 50 New Locations in 2024
00:34:30 - Online Presence of Magnolia Soap
 
Learn More About Magnolia Soap and Bath:
Website: https://www.magnoliasoapandbath.com/pages/franchise
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/magnolia-soap-and-bath-company/
 
Follow Magen: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magenbynummagnoliasoap/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Aaron Harper, the CEO of Rolling Suds, one of the fastest-growing power-washing franchises in the country. 
Aaron reveals how Rolling Suds scaled to 59 units in 16 states since February of this year, and explains the game-changing strategies and systems that contributed to Rolling Suds’ overwhelming success. From their comprehensive training program to their early focus on customer satisfaction, learn about the key factors that have set Rolling Suds apart in the power washing industry.
Aaron also shares his insights on how to create responsible franchise growth, explains why aligning sales and operations is vital to franchise success, and details the unique opportunities the service franchise industry presents to entrepreneurs.
To learn how franchisors can create a better environment to support the growth of their franchisees, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!
 
00:02:59 - Uncovering Commonalities Among Successful Franchisees
00:03:45 - Scaling Secrets: Operations and Sales
00:07:35 - Aligning Expectations for New Franchisees
00:10:15 - Supporting Franchisees: When to Hire
00:13:14 - Franchise Success: Opening and Selling Units
00:18:35 - The Fastest Growing Power Washing Franchise
00:23:51 - The Risks of Buying Franchises
00:25:20 - Scaling Franchisees: Overcoming Employee Challenges
00:33:50 - Managing Expectations for Franchisees
00:38:52 - The Rise of Profitable Service Franchises
00:43:37 - Building the Biggest Franchise Power Washing Company
00:51:23 – Why Franchise Growth Requires High Capital
00:54:21 - The Core Tenets of Responsible Franchising
 
Learn More About Rolling Suds:
Website: https://rollingsudsfranchise.com

Follow Aaron: 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-harper-998140125/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RollingSudsCEO
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/  
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises   
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf  
Website: https://www.krokit.com  
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Meet the first person to mass-market a factory-finished painting solution at the convenience of your home.
Join The Wolf as he sits down with Carmelo Marsala, Founder and CEO of Spray-Net, to discuss the ins and outs of franchising and scaling a business. Carmelo shares his experiences and insights on the challenges of scaling a territory model, onboarding new franchisees, and the realities of making a franchise profitable.
Carmelo explains how his Quebec-based business prepared for territory expansion in the United States and how Canadian franchise ownership differs from Stateside operations. Then, he breaks down how Spray-Net has managed to gain lasting traction by differentiating itself in the painting industry through its unique approach and proprietary software. 
And stay tuned as the Wolf and Carmelo also discuss the benefits of partnering with franchise sales organizations and the importance of data in unlocking new possibilities for franchisees.
 
00:00:34 - From Soccer to Painting: The Transition and Motivation
00:02:03 - From Student Painting to Revolutionary Spray-Net
00:06:42 - Creating a Franchise with Patented Technology
00:14:32 - Expanding Franchise Opportunities in the US
00:18:04 - From Operations to Franchising
00:23:05 - Creating Custom Software for Home Services
00:27:12 - Outsourcing Digital Marketing for Franchisees
00:30:18 - Challenges of Scaling Franchise Territories
00:31:23 - Unlocking Franchisee Growth with Real-Time Data
00:40:39 - SprayNet Aims for 100 Million Dollars in 5 Years
 
Learn More About Spray-Net:
Franchise Website: https://www.spraynetfranchise.com/launch-a-franchise
Website: https://www.spray-net.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/spray-net-inc/
 
Follow Carmelo:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carmelomarsala/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!
 

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Dave Wood, the mastermind behind Mahana Fresh, a healthy bowl concept that’s taken the restaurant industry by storm. Discover the challenges and triumphs of opening three restaurants during the midst of a global pandemic, and how Mahana Fresh has adapted and thrived in the face of adversity.
Dave discusses his journey from being a student at the University of North Carolina to managing a local Domino's store and how his experiences in the pizza industry shaped his approach to building Mahana Fresh.
From the origins of the name Mahana Fresh to the brand's online presence and celebrity endorsement with NBA star Kyle Kuzma, Dave shares insights into the vision and values that drive his business. Tune in to learn why restaurants are a great opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs, and how Dave's experience as a Domino's franchisee prepared him for success. 
 
00:00:29 - From Pizza Delivery to Franchise Success
00:08:57 - From Manager to Owner: The Path to Franchise Success
00:15:08 - Domino's Expansion: Managing Employee Headcount
00:19:06 - The Story Behind Domino's Rolex
00:23:25 - Healthy Bowl Concept Thrives Amidst Pandemic
00:30:24 - NBA Star Balances Basketball and Business
00:36:40 - The Growing Opportunity in Restaurants
00:43:57 - Where to Find Mahana Fresh Online
 
Learn More About Mahana Fresh: 
Website: https://www.mahanafresh.com/franchise
 
Follow Dave:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-wood-9975a38/
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!

Join The Wolf as he sits down with Erik van Horn, host of "The Franchise Secrets Podcast," for a special crossover episode. In this lively conversation, they dish out some hot takes on the franchise industry and discuss the importance of transparency and financial literacy for franchisees.
From the value of item 19s to the power of content marketing, Erick and The Wolf share their insights and experiences in the world of franchising. Discover why building a strong brand and providing valuable resources to franchisees are crucial for success.
Plus, get a glimpse into Erik's journey as a media entrepreneur, and find out how he has grown his Twitter audience and newsletter following. Learn why content creation is addictive and how it can help elevate your franchise brand.
 
00:01:20 - Franchise Growth Through Media Strategies
00:09:08 - The Power of Partnering with Work Week
00:15:58 - Are Franchises Worth the Investment?
00:17:43 - The Value of Research in Content Creation
00:21:21 - Why Brands Hide Franchise Information
00:24:02 - The Importance of Profitability in Franchising
00:28:02 - Franchisors Use Regulation as Excuse
00:33:42 - How to Evaluate a Franchise Brand
00:38:47 - Finding Outliers in Your First Year
00:44:51 - Franchisors Neglecting Financial Education for Franchisees
00:51:02 - Where to Focus Your Energy in Social Media
 
Follow Erik’s Pod, “The Franchise Secrets Podcast” here.
 
Follow The Wolf: 
Newsletter: https://workweek.com/brand/the-wolf-of-franchises/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@thewolfoffranchises
Twitter: https://twitter.com/franchisewolf
Website: https://www.krokit.com
 
Are you a future franchise entrepreneur? Find all of the tools you need to launch, operate, and expand your franchise empire with the platform created by The Wolf himself, Krokit.com.
 
And if you’ve enjoyed listening to Franchise Empires, I’d be so grateful if you could drop me a 5-star review on Rate My Podcast. Thank you so much!