
100 episodes

Franchise Secrets Podcast Erik Van Horn
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- Business
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4.8 • 49 Ratings
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Franchising specialist Erik Van Horn reveals the secrets he uses as a franchisee, consultant, investor and entrepreneur. Join us every Tuesday to learn tactical and practical tools that will help you buy, grow, and sell franchises like an expert.
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Designing Your Dream Life: Dave Allred's Path to Financial Freedom and Fulfillment
Imagine you're 17 years old, living with your little brother in a tiny house with no heaters, the roof leaking and caving in, and cockroaches everywhere. The only job you can get is a minimum-wage job at a flag pole factory, so you and your brother lived on fast food and ramen noodles. What will you do to reset the standards of your life? Do you even think you have a chance at a good life?
When you're down on your luck, it's easier to go on a downhill trajectory than try to get up, but not Dave Allred. Growing up in a dysfunctional and impoverished family, he knew deep down that he had unlimited potential and the power to uplevel his life as long as he was willing to do whatever it would take.
Fast forward to today, he's living the life he'd only dreamed of with his beautiful family. He built a real estate fund, Axia Partners, and created the Allred Family Foundation. He has multiple investments. Yet, Dave still wakes up every day to remind himself, “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can have what others can’t.”
In this episode, Dave shares his inspiring journey about creating a life of your design. Erik and Dave also discuss franchising, passive investing, real estate, tax advantage, and parenting. So stick around and be inspired by Dave's incredible adventures in life and business.
“The motto in our home is: Nothing is given. Everything is earned.” - Dave Allred
In This Episode:
- What pushed Dave to strive to change his life for the better?
- Valuable lessons Dave got from making door-to-door sales
- How Dave invested his money
- Why Dave allowed his 15-year-old daughter to buy a Tesla Model 3 (there's a huge lesson here)
- Does losing money on investments make you a bad investor?
- Dave talks about his investments in multiple brands as a franchisee and a franchisor
- What does Axia Partners do?
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Podcast Episode with Tom Wheelwright on Tax-Effective Investing Strategies - https://franchisesecrets.com/podcast/too-many-entrepreneurs-are-missing-out-on-these-tax-effective-investing-strategies-%f0%9f%a4%af/
- Tiger 21 - https://tiger21.com/
- Top 21 Books That Helped Dave Allred Achieve Financial Freedom at 36 - https://www.businessinsider.com/best-real-estate-investing-financial-freedom-books-money-building-wealth-2023-3?_gl=1*11oowny*_ga*NTAxOTU2NDkwLjE2NzY0MDU1NDk.*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY3ODEzMTI3Ni44LjEuMTY3ODEzMTI4OS4wLjAuMA
Connect with Dave Allred:
- Website - https://www.daveallred.com/ and https://www.axiapartners.com/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jdaveallred/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/dave.allred.7
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/daveallred/
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium
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Breaking Boundaries: Jeff Herr and Zack Fishman on the Rise of Young Entrepreneurs in the Franchising World
Are you ready to dive into the world of franchising and discover the next big thing?
In this episode, Erik and his guests, Jeff Herr and Zack Fishman, explore the exciting world of franchising and its evolution, focusing on emerging trends and brands. They also talk about the younger generation in franchising, labor issues and how to solve them, the importance of branding, and why consultants do what they do.
Jeff Herr is an entrepreneur with many interests including franchising, financial services, consulting, and administrative outsourcing. He is Erik's business partner at Front Street Equity Partners, so you'll hear his insights on private equity firms buying into brands.
Zack Fishman has been the face of Fishman PR’s business development efforts since 2019, leading the sales process, speaking at industry conferences, and co-hosting the podcast, Modrn Business. Additionally, Zack is the key contact for vendor relationships through Franchise Supplier Network, a supplier consultancy he is a partner in.
Tune in to gain valuable knowledge about the dynamic landscape of franchising and the role of the younger generation in shaping its future. Be part of the franchising revolution!
“I believe that consultants serve a really awesome purpose if they're used responsibly, and I think there are a lot of people that do that today.” - Zack Fishman
In This Episode:
- Millennials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha and the franchising industry
- Trends, emerging brands, and the evolution of the franchising industry
- Labor issues and how to solve them
- Franchisors bragging about the wrong stats
- Why is branding so important, especially for an emerging brand?
- Why are some private equity firms buying off on units sold?
- Why territory is the gold when it comes to franchising
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
Connect with Jeff Herr:
- Website - https://www.frontstreetep.com/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffrey-herr-606b74a/
Connect with Zack Fishman:
- Website - https://www.fishmanpr.com/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/zack-fishman/
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium -
Unleashing Success: Insights from Adam Lyons on Business Strategy With Solutions and Predictions
Who would have thought that a janitor could be responsible for boosting the revenue of over 2,100+ small businesses since the 2020 pandemic? Adam Lyons used his unique skillset to launch The S.M.A.R.T Blueprint to help companies thrive during these challenging times. And it's not just small businesses that have benefited from his expertise.
Some of the biggest brands in the world, including PepsiCo, Nike, Nescafé, and Discovery Digital Networks, have worked with Adam. In addition, his impressive achievements have caught the attention of major news outlets such as CNN, Forbes, the Today Show, and even the NY Post, cementing his status as one of the most sought-after business consultants in the game.
In this episode, Erik and Adam discuss business strategies, AI, raising your fees as a consultant, KPIs, building relationships, and when to stop chasing money, among other things.
If you're interested in learning from someone who knows what it's like to take businesses to new heights but values his family more than money, there's so much you can learn here today.
“I don't go into a business to make money. I go into a business to look at it.” - Adam Lyons
In This Episode:
- What can you learn from listening to Adam's podcast?
- Can you train AI to function as a business consultant (or any other role)?
- How do you lead with value as a business owner?
- What are some misconceptions about AI, and what is the biggest mistake people make when using AI?
- What sets smart people apart from AI?
- How do you raise your fee as a consultant?
- How does Adam apply prediction and solution as a business strategy?
- What is it like working with Adam?
- What The SMART Blueprint is all about
- How to make people care about the KPIs
- Adam shares his top takeaways from Roland Frasier, Ryan Stewman, Perry Belcher, and other mentors
- How Adam overcame his skepticism about the power of creating a vision (as taught by John Assaraf)
- How Adam builds genuine relationships
- When do you stop chasing more money?
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Grab some gifts from Adam Lyons - https://thesmartblueprint.com/gift/
Connect with Adam Lyons:
- Website - https://thesmartblueprint.com/
- Facebook Group - https://web.facebook.com/groups/smartbusinessesdothis
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/theadamlyons/
- Podcast - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/smart-businesses-do-this/id1606008411
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium -
Partnering for Success: Alex Yeater and Drew Brees' Secrets to Building a Thriving everbowl Franchise
Is it better to run a business alone or with a partner? Of course, there are pros and cons to both. However, partnerships certainly offer fantastic benefits. Take Alex Yeater, for example. He is an everbowl Area Representative who has partnered with people to build something bigger.
Alex is an Area Representative with everbowl in the Midwest, South, and Southeast. He and his wife of almost 20 years, Kelli, have four sons between the ages of 18 and 5. Before everbowl, Alex and his business partner Mitch grew a Wireless Zone franchise from 2 stores to 32 before exiting in 2021. In 2022, Alex and Mitch partnered with Drew Brees to form EB Masters, one of the largest Area Representative companies in the US.
By forming partnerships, major franchise investors can tap into the existing expertise of owners and operators, adopt proven best practices, and expand into new markets by leveraging their resources and complementing each other's skill sets.
But where can you find people who share your passion? How do you form genuine connections and build partnerships? Alex and Erik share valuable insights into this topic, so make sure to catch this episode!
“Long-term partnerships, they're like marriages, man. The first couple of years were hard, trying to figure out what was my role, what was his role. Now we've really gotten into this groove.” - Alex Yeater
In This Episode:
- A quick story on how Alex left the cellphone business and got into franchising
- What makes a partnership work well?
- What is it like being business partners with Drew Brees, and how do you manage expectations when partnering with someone with star power?
- Alex talks about the benefits of joining the Mastermind Group (other than meeting Erik)
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
Connect with Alex Yeater:
- Website - https://www.everbowl.com/
- Impact Vacation Rentals Website - https://impactvacations.co/
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/yeater.alex/
- Facebook - https://web.facebook.com/AlexYeater
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-yeater-67b66814/
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium
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How a Rookie Tropical Smoothie Franchisee Outperformed the Brand's Best: Clement Troutman's Story
The franchising business model is ideal for veterans because their discipline, work ethic, and mission-focused orientation translate well into business ownership.
Welcome to the latest episode of the Franchise Secrets podcast, where Erik Van Horn interviews Navy Veteran Clement Troutman, a top franchisee of Tropical Smoothie in Maryland.
Clement has found great success with Tropical Smoothie, garnering the 2018 Rookie of the Year award a year after they opened their first franchise in Maryland. Each year, he makes it his goal to surpass his previous year's success. His dedication to building strong core capabilities and staying focused on his mission has helped him to create a thriving business.
In this episode, Clement shares how he got started in the franchising industry and his strategies to achieve success. He also talks about the importance of building solid relationships with his team, developing their skills and capabilities, and allowing them to share his vision for the company.
This episode is a must-listen if you're interested in franchising or looking to improve your franchise. Tune in to hear Clement's expert insights and advice.
“Winners only compete with themselves.” - Clement Troutman
In This Episode:
- A brief background on Clement, how he got into the military, traveled to different parts of the world, worked in Cyber Security, then became a Tropical Smoothie franchisee
- How living in other countries impacted Clement's view of the American culture
- What was it like teaching cultural diversity to his children?
- Clement shares the challenges he experienced being a Tropical Smoothie franchisee and how he made it to the top of the brand's best of the best
- How Clement develops leaders out of his team members and how he deals with someone who's not a good fit
- The secret to Clement's robust business infrastructure
- What's next for Clement Troutman?
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Dreams Never Die by Mr. Clement T. Troutman - https://www.amazon.com/Dreams-Never-Die-Clement-Troutman/dp/1737376709/
Connect with Clement Troutman:
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/clement-troutman-861543228/
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium -
The Multiples Approach: Navigating Business Valuation and Acquisition with Luke Andrus
Are you a business owner looking to maximize the value of your business? Do you want to understand how cash flow is critical in business valuation?
In this episode of the Franchise Secrets Podcast, host Erik Van Horn and his guest, Luke Andrus, share valuable insights on the multiples approach to business valuation and helpful tips for navigating the complexities of buying or selling a business.
Luke is the founder and CEO of Blue Star Investments, a private equity firm based in the United States that focuses on investing in and growing small to mid-sized companies. He also co-owns multiple Anytime Fitness franchises in the United States, which makes him understand firsthand what makes a business valuable to buyers.
Whether you're a business owner looking to sell or a buyer interested in acquiring a business, this episode is packed with valuable insights you will want to take advantage of!
“No matter how good you are, it's still a gamble. Maybe the location's terrible, you know. I'd rather have a bad product in a great location than a great product in a bad location.” - Luke Andrus
In This Episode:
- A brief background on Luke, how he became a co-owner of multiple Anytime Fitness franchises, the value he brought to the business, and what sets him apart from other franchisees
- The three significant KPIs to monitor in the gym industry and how to monitor reviews
- Why it's crucial to teach employees how to solve problems and understand P&L statements
- Understanding company valuation using the multiples approach
- How do you avoid the usual mistakes sellers make?
- Why you should avoid buying into companies where the owner is too involved
- How to negotiate the terms of the sale and the benefits to seller and buyer for certain sale agreements
- When should you inform your employees that a new owner is taking over the company?
- Buying healthy assets vs. distressed assets
And more!
Resources:
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisee mastermind here - www.franchisetribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s franchisor mastermind here - www.franchisortribe.com
- Learn more about Erik’s passive investing mastermind here - www.tribeofinvestors.com
- Want to buy a franchise? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- Want to franchise your business? Connect with Erik here - https://forms.gle/n4JedEuU5p7asE617
- The Accidental CEO by Thomas Voccola - https://www.amazon.com/Accidental-CEO-Leaders-Journey-Purpose/dp/1411688570
- Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss and Tahl Raz - https://www.amazon.com/Never-Split-Difference-Negotiating-Depended/dp/0062407805
- The Messy Marketplace by Brent Beshore - https://www.amazon.com/Messy-Marketplace-Selling-Business-Imperfect/dp/0998030007
Connect with Luke Andrus:
- Anytime Fitness Website - https://www.anytimefitness.com/
- LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/lukeandrus/
Connect with Erik Van Horn:
- Website
- Instagram
- Facebook
- Facebook Group
- LinkedIn
- YouTube
- Medium
Customer Reviews
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Erik’s podcast is the most helpful podcast for anyone in franchising or wants to get into franchising. Best guests with phenomenal teachings. High, highly recommend!
Great content for Franchisees
This podcast is one that I look forward to each week. As a Mathnasium franchisee, it’s given me motivation to continue growing and reminded me to look for new ways to be even better.
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Erik has done an outstanding job with curating an impressive list of guests to interview on his podcast. The Franchise Secrets podcast not only provides insights into topics that are relevant to today’s franchisees, but also to anyone who is thinking about being a business owner. Doesn’t matter where you are on your entrepreneurial path...this podcast will change, shape and influence your journey in a very positive way!