Behind the Franchise

Paul Ehlinger
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Marketing
  • Updated Monthly

Welcome to "Behind the Franchise" by Flamel.ai, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of franchising and explore the marketing strategies that fuel the growth of the industry's most successful brands. Join us every other week as we sit down with the leading marketing minds behind top franchises, uncovering the secrets to their success and sharing insights that franchisors and franchisees can apply to their own businesses. "Behind the Franchise" is your go-to resource for the latest in growth marketing strategies for franchising.

  1. 1d ago

    Episode 71: Encouraging Creativity with Bryan Vohsing

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Bryan Vohsing, Franchise Marketing Manager at Oh Deer. Bryan shares how he unexpectedly found his way into franchising and grew from marketing coordinator to leading both local and national marketing initiatives for one of the fastest-growing all-natural deer, tick, and mosquito control brands. From building scalable marketing systems to balancing franchisee creativity with brand consistency, Bryan offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow an emerging franchise the right way. Listeners will hear: How Bryan went from event marketing to leading franchise marketing strategy at Oh Deer. Why Oh Deer built its brand around lifestyle marketing instead of fear-based messaging. The importance of creating systems that empower franchisees without limiting local creativity. How franchisee ideas become repeatable marketing playbooks across the system. Why emerging brands should expect systems to break—and how to prepare for it. Practical ways AI can improve marketing workflows while keeping local marketing authentic. His advice for anyone breaking into franchise marketing and why relationships are the industry's biggest advantage. 🎧 A must-listen if you're interested in franchise marketing, brand building, local marketing strategy, and scaling systems without losing what makes a brand unique. #BehindTheFranchise #OhDeer #FranchiseMarketing #LocalMarketing #EmergingBrands #BrandStrategy #AIInMarketing #Franchising #MarketingLeadership

  2. Aug 27

    Episode 70: Finding the Balance with AI with Paul Redman

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Paul Redman, President of Contractor Commerce. Paul shares how Contractor Commerce evolved from an online storefront for HVAC contractors into an AI-powered commerce platform that's reshaping how homeowners research, shop for, and purchase home services. From staying disciplined through years of product evolution to making bold bets on agentic AI, Paul offers an inside look at where contractor marketing and e-commerce are headed next. Listeners will hear: How Contractor Commerce stayed focused on one mission while continuously evolving its platform. Why saying "no" to customers is just as important as listening to customer feedback. What agentic commerce is and how AI is changing the way consumers buy home services. Why contractors need to prepare for AI agents, not just human website visitors. How AI-powered optimization is replacing traditional A/B testing and manual website improvements. Paul's thoughts on the future of home service pricing, consumer trust, and where AI can create better buying experiences. Why the companies that embrace technology today will be best positioned for the next wave of industry change. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders, contractors, marketers, and anyone curious about how AI is transforming the customer buying journey, and what businesses need to do to stay ahead. #BehindTheFranchise #ContractorCommerce #HomeServices #AgenticAI #Ecommerce #FranchiseTechnology #FranchiseAI #Entrepreneurship

  3. Aug 20

    Episode 69: Taking the Leap into Franchising with Doug Roberto

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Doug Roberto, owner and design consultant of Gotcha Covered Los Feliz. Doug shares his journey from decades in corporate medical sales to becoming a first-time franchise owner. He opens up about why he left corporate America, how franchising gave him the confidence to pursue entrepreneurship, and the lessons he's learned during his first year of business ownership. From building relationships through networking to discovering the power of listening in sales, Doug offers practical advice for anyone considering making the leap into franchising. Listeners will hear: Why Doug left a successful corporate career to become a franchise owner. How a franchise broker helped him find the right business opportunity. The sales skills that translated into entrepreneurship and the ones that didn't. Why listening is the most important skill every salesperson can develop. What surprised him most about owning a business, from HR to accounting and operations. The biggest lessons he's learned during his first year and why understanding your margins matters. His advice for anyone dreaming about leaving corporate America and starting a business. 🎧 A must-listen for corporate professionals, aspiring franchise owners, and anyone curious about what it really takes to trade the corporate ladder for entrepreneurship. #BehindTheFranchise #GotchaCovered #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #CorporateToEntrepreneur #SalesLeadership #SmallBusiness

  4. Aug 13

    Episode 68: Just Keep Going with Jimmy Speyer

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Jimmy Speyer, Founder and CEO of GlassHouse. Jimmy shares his journey from hospitality and SaaS leadership to launching a technology company that helps home service businesses generate demand through digital door knocking. Along the way, he explains why he and his wife bought a Pink's Window franchise while building Glasshouse, and how becoming operators themselves shaped the product they were creating. Listeners will hear: How Jimmy transitioned from restaurant technology into scaling SaaS companies before becoming a founder. Why buying and operating a franchise gave his team the real-world experience they needed to build better software. The biggest shifts happening in home services marketing, and why creating demand is becoming just as important as capturing it. How AI, data, and neighborhood-level targeting are changing the way local businesses connect with homeowners. His perspective on competing in an increasingly crowded market without relying solely on Google and Meta. Why resilience, embracing failure, and "just keep going" have become his guiding principles as an entrepreneur. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders, home service operators, and entrepreneurs looking to build smarter marketing systems, embrace calculated risk, and grow businesses that stand the test of time. #BehindTheFranchise #Glasshouse #FranchiseGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessGrowth

  5. Aug 6

    Episode 67: Promise Over Price with Jesse McBain

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Jesse McBain, Chief Operating Officer of Pvolve. With more than 30 years of franchise leadership experience spanning brands like Papa John's and The Joint Chiropractic, Jesse shares how Pvolve is redefining fitness through clinically backed movement, premium brand experiences, and operational excellence. He dives into what it takes to scale a franchise system while protecting brand integrity, building community, and creating consistent experiences across every location. Listeners will hear: How Jesse transitioned from scaling legacy franchise brands to leading the growth of Pvolve. Why Pvolve believes strength, mobility, and stability are the foundation of long-term health. How clinically backed fitness has become one of the brand's biggest competitive advantages. The systems and playbooks required to maintain a premium experience as a franchise grows. Why franchisees should be viewed as innovation partners, not just operators. How Pvolve connects digital memberships, e-commerce, and brick-and-mortar studios into one customer journey. Jesse's thoughts on community-building, hospitality, and where the future of fitness is headed. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders, fitness entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in building a premium brand that scales without sacrificing the customer experience. #BehindTheFranchise #Pvolve #Franchising #FitnessBusiness #BrandExperience #FranchiseGrowth #Leadership

  6. Jul 28

    Episode 66: 1% Better Every Day with Tony Hulbert

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Tony Hulbert, Managing Director at HorsePower Brands. Tony shares his unconventional journey through different franchising roles, explaining how a foundation in finance evolved into a passion for growth, leadership, and helping entrepreneurs build successful businesses. Listeners will hear: How Tony went from public accounting to leading growth initiatives in franchising and home services. Why mindset is the single most important trait he looks for in aspiring business owners. How HorsePower Brands is leveraging AI to support franchisees, unlock institutional knowledge, and improve business performance. His perspective on the future of AI in franchising and why human relationships will remain irreplaceable. Why culture, trust, hiring great people, and local leadership are still the foundation of franchise success. How the "1% better every day" philosophy helps franchisees and teams achieve sustainable growth. The personal framework Tony developed to balance entrepreneurship, leadership, health, family, and freedom. Why resilience, momentum, and the willingness to go all-in are essential for building a successful business. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone interested in the intersection of AI, leadership, and business ownership. #BehindTheFranchise  #HorsePowerBrands #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #Leadership #FranchisingAI #FranchiseGrowth

  7. Jul 23

    Episode 65: Finding Black Holes in Your Business with Rob Flanagan

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Rob Flanagan, CEO & Cultural Co Founder of Hounds Town USA. Rob shares his unconventional journey into franchising and the leadership philosophies that have helped guide Hounds Town past the 100-unit milestone. From building culture as a measurable system to using economic theory and predictive analytics to stay ahead of market shifts, Rob offers a unique perspective on growing franchise organizations with intention. Listeners will hear: Why Rob believes culture should be treated like any other business system with processes, accountability, and measurable outcomes. How psychological profiling and intentional onboarding help protect culture as organizations scale. Why hiring for culture fit is different from hiring people who simply think like you. The lessons Rob learned from leaders and organizations he admired and the mistakes he was determined not to repeat. How rate-of-change analysis helped him identify the end of the COVID pet industry boom months before it happened. His “Black Hole Theory” for leadership and why finding unseen forces inside your business is one of a CEO’s most important jobs. Why development, growth, and meaningful challenges matter more than titles, perks, or compensation alone. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders looking to build stronger cultures, develop great people, and create systems that scale beyond any one individual. #BehindTheFranchise #HoundstownUSA #Franchising #Leadership #CompanyCulture #FranchiseGrowth #BusinessStrategy #CultureDrivenLeadership #FranchiseSuccess

  8. Jul 16

    Episode 64: Adapting to Change with Ron Silberstein

    In this episode, host Paul Ehlinger sits down with Ron Silberstein, partner of Bud’s Place Franchising, to explore one of the most unique concepts emerging in franchising today, cannabis consumption lounges. Ron shares his journey from CPA and franchise executive in the golf industry to building a hospitality-focused cannabis lounge franchise designed to serve a rapidly growing market. From navigating complex regulations and industry skepticism to creating a brand-new franchise category, Ron reveals what it takes to pioneer a concept in an evolving industry. Listeners will hear: How Ron's career evolved from accounting and golf franchising into the cannabis industry. Why he believes franchisors are in the franchise support business, not just the product business. The opportunity he saw in cannabis consumption lounges and why the market remains largely untapped. How Bud’s Place is creating a hospitality-first experience focused on work, entertainment, food, and community. The challenges of operating in a highly regulated and rapidly evolving industry. Why staying adaptable and embracing change is critical for every franchise brand. His vision for building a category-defining franchise concept in the United States. 🎧 A must-listen for franchise leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators interested in category creation, emerging industries, and building brands that stay ahead of change. #BehindTheFranchise #BudsPlaceFranchising #Franchising #HospitalityBusiness #Entrepreneurship #FranchiseGrowth #BusinessInnovation #EmergingMarkets

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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

Welcome to "Behind the Franchise" by Flamel.ai, the podcast where we dive deep into the world of franchising and explore the marketing strategies that fuel the growth of the industry's most successful brands. Join us every other week as we sit down with the leading marketing minds behind top franchises, uncovering the secrets to their success and sharing insights that franchisors and franchisees can apply to their own businesses. "Behind the Franchise" is your go-to resource for the latest in growth marketing strategies for franchising.

Information

  • Creator
    Paul Ehlinger
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Paul Ehlinger
  • Show Website
    Behind the Franchise