Journey to Business Ownership - Freedom Friday Podcast

Patrice Miles
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Updated Weekly

Freedom Fridays is a weekly podcast everyday entrepreneurs share educational insights to help you explore what business ownership could look like for you. Hosted by Patrice Miles, Franchise Business Owner and Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, this series dives into real stories, practical resources, and clear guidance for anyone considering a transition from employee to entrepreneur. Whether you’re curious about starting a business, buying a business or investing in a franchise, this playlist will equip you with clarity & inspiration.

  1. Sep 10

    The FREE Small Business Resource Most Entrepreneurs Overlook

    The FREE Small Business Resource Most Entrepreneurs OverlookThinking about starting a business — or already own one and feel stuck?You may be overlooking one of the best FREE resources available to entrepreneurs: the Small Business Development Center, better known as the SBDC.In this episode of Freedom Friday on the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, I sit down with Dave Oetken, Director of the Louisville Small Business Development Center and an experienced entrepreneur who has owned both independent businesses and franchises.Dave breaks down exactly how the SBDC helps aspiring and current business owners — and why you should take advantage of these resources before trying to figure everything out on your own.In this episode, we talk about:✅ What the SBDC actually is and who it serves✅ How the SBDC can help you even if you only have a business idea✅ FREE business coaching and consulting resources✅ How to validate a business idea before investing significant money✅ Business plans and preparing for financing✅ What banks really want to see before approving a business loan✅ Why simply having ChatGPT create your business plan isn’t enough✅ How the SBDC can help established businesses that have hit a plateau✅ Training, education, market research, and networking resources✅ Resources available for women and veteran entrepreneurs✅ Why building a strong support network is critical to business successOne of Dave’s biggest reminders for entrepreneurs is simple: you do NOT have to build your business alone.Whether you're starting from scratch, buying an existing business, exploring franchise ownership, or trying to grow the business you already have, there are people and resources available to help you make smarter decisions.🔹 CONNECT WITH THE SBDCLearn more about the Louisville Small Business Development Center:https://www.KentuckySBDC.com/LouisvilleDave Oetken's Google Calendar: https://calendly.com/daveoetkenEmail: daveoetken@gmail.comYou can also search for your local SBDC to find business coaching, training, funding assistance, and other resources available in your area.🎯 THINKING ABOUT BUSINESS OWNERSHIP?If you're ready to explore entrepreneurship but aren't sure what path makes the most sense for you, I provide FREE career ownership coaching.We can explore:• Starting a business from scratch• Buying an existing business• Franchise ownership• What type of business ownership fits your goals, lifestyle, and income expectationsSchedule a conversation or learn more:JourneyToBusinessOwnership.com🔗 CONNECT WITH PATRICE MILESLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Schedule a Discovery call here: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🎙️ ABOUT JOURNEY TO BUSINESS OWNERSHIPFreedom Friday celebrates everyday people who have taken the leap from employee to entrepreneur and found freedom on the other side.Each week, we share real stories, practical advice, educational resources, and honest conversations about what it actually takes to become your own boss.If you're ready to stop simply chasing a paycheck and start exploring what business ownership could look like in your life, you're in the right place.👍 LIKE this episode if you found it helpful🔔 SUBSCRIBE for more business ownership stories and education↗️ SHARE this episode with someone thinking about entrepreneurshipKeep chasing purpose — not just a paycheck.#BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusiness #SBDC #BusinessStartup #Entrepreneur #BusinessFunding #BusinessPlan #SmallBusinessOwner #FranchiseOwnership #FreedomFriday #JourneyToBusinessOwnershipThe FREE Small Business Resource Most Entrepreneurs Overlook

  2. Sep 3

    A LinkedIn Message and a Leap of Faith: Starting Over in Their 60s

    A LinkedIn Message and a Leap of Faith: Starting Over in Their 60sApproaching their 60s, Elizabeth Terry Crowe and her husband John were ready for a change. After years in corporate America (John was an automotive and EV battery executive) and a career built on marketing, real estate, and even helping open a brewery, Elizabeth never expected a LinkedIn message to change the course of their lives — but that's exactly what happened.In this episode of Freedom Friday, Elizabeth shares how a persistent franchise coach reached out to her husband on LinkedIn, and how that one message led them to move back home to Louisville and become franchise owners of The Glass Guru of East Louisville. She opens up about:- Why they were skeptical at first — and what changed their minds- How a franchise coach narrowed down 6 franchise options to 1- Why they chose glass repair over a more expensive retail concept- The business model behind Glass Guru: repairing glass instead of replacing entire windows, at half the cost and in a fraction of the time- How they financed the business using savings (and why they explored — then paused — an SBA loan)- Growing so fast in their first year that they're already adding a truck and another team member- What it's really like starting a business with your spouse after decades of marriage- Why joining the Chamber of Commerce (and actually showing up) has been one of their biggest keys to growth- Elizabeth's advice for anyone sitting on the fence about business ownership: know your finances, get good advisors, and get outside the door and networkConnect with Elizabeth & The Glass Guru of East Louisville:🌐 https://www.theglassguru.com/locations/east-louisville-ky/📞 502-575-0075👤 https://www.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-tarry-crowe-864074173/🏢 https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-glass-guru-of-louisville-ky/📘 https://www.facebook.com/TheGlassGuruofEastLouisvilleKY---Ready to explore what business ownership could look like for you? Connect with Patrice Miles, Career Ownership Coach:🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/📅 Book a free discovery call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/#FreedomFriday #JourneyToBusinessOwnership #FranchiseOwner #GlassGuru #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #FranchiseLife #CareerOwnershipCoachA LinkedIn Message and a Leap of Faith: Starting Over in Their 60s

  3. Aug 27

    Why 90% of Business Owners Waste Their Chamber Membership

    Why 90% of Business Owners Waste Their Chamber MembershipMost business owners join a Chamber of Commerce, show up once or twice, and quietly decide it "isn't working." In this episode of Freedom Friday, I sit down with Jennifer Williams, CEO of The East Louisville Chamber, to talk about what separates the members who actually get value out of their membership from the ones who don't.We cover:- What to do in your first 30-90 days after joining a chamber to actually get plugged in.- How the ambassador program works and how new members get paired with someone to guide them.- The real reason some members never see results (hint: it starts with not showing up).- Chamber resources most people never use — health benefits, advertising, ribbon cuttings, sponsorships.- Whether you should join one chamber or several.- Why chambers are business associations, not government entities.Connect with Jennifer Williams / The East Louisville Chamber:📧 jennifer@eastlouisvillechamber.com🌐 https://eastlouisvillechamber.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifercwilliamsbroker/Ready to explore what business ownership could look like in your life? All coaching is 100% free.📅 Book a free call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect with Patrice on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs it. New episodes every Friday!#JourneyToBusinessOwnership #FreedomFriday #ChamberOfCommerce #BusinessNetworking #SmallBusiness #Entrepreneurship

  4. Aug 20

    From Blue-Collar Worker to Beard Oil Entrepreneur | David Blevins’ Faith Over Fear Journey

    From Blue-Collar Worker to Beard Oil Entrepreneur | David Blevins’ Faith Over Fear JourneyWhat happens when you stop letting fear make your decisions and finally take the risk on yourself?In this episode of Freedom Friday | Journey to Business Ownership, I sit down with David Blevins, founder of Bearded Enterprises, to talk about his journey from construction, heavy equipment, sales, and climbing the corporate ladder to building a business of his own.David is a husband, father of five, and entrepreneur who knew the corporate world wasn’t where he was meant to stay. After years of thinking about business ownership, he finally reached the point where he told his wife, “I’m doing it.”The finances weren’t perfect. The timing wasn’t perfect. And there were plenty of questions about whether people would even buy the product.But David chose faith over fear.What started with his own frustration trying beard products eventually became Bearded Enterprises and the launch of his first beard oil, Barrel Reserve. And in just a few months, his products were already reaching customers across multiple states.But this conversation is about much more than beard oil.David shares how entrepreneurship has allowed him to:✅ Spend more mornings and meaningful time with his five children✅ Show his oldest son firsthand what entrepreneurship looks like✅ Build relationships with other business owners and entrepreneurs✅ Grow personally, professionally, and spiritually✅ Build a faith-based company centered around purpose✅ Take a risk on himself instead of spending his life building someone else’s dreamOne of my favorite takeaways from David:We take risks every single day. Why not take a risk on yourself?If you have been feeling called toward something bigger but fear, finances, or uncertainty keep holding you back, David’s story is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to have everything figured out before you take the first step.CONNECT WITH DAVID & BEARDED ENTERPRISES🌐 Website: https://www.BeardedEnterprises.com📱 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@bearded_enterprises📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bearded_enterprises_llc/Check out Barrel Reserve beard oil, apparel, hats, and the growing mission behind Bearded Enterprises.READY TO EXPLORE BUSINESS OWNERSHIP?If David’s story has you wondering what entrepreneurship could look like in your life, I would love to help you explore your options.As a Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, I provide completely FREE coaching and consulting to help people explore business ownership—from starting a business to buying an existing business or investing in a franchise.You don’t have to know exactly what you want. You just have to be willing to explore what’s possible.🌐 Learn more or schedule a discovery call:https://www.JourneyToBusinessOwnership.com🔗 Connect with Patrice Miles on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/🎧 Find Journey to Business Ownership on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.👍 If David’s story inspired you, LIKE this episode, SUBSCRIBE to the channel, and SHARE it with someone who needs the encouragement to take a risk on themselves.Until next time, keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck.#JourneyToBusinessOwnership #FreedomFriday #Entrepreneurship #BusinessOwnership #FaithOverFear #SmallBusiness #BeardedEnterprises #EntrepreneurStory #BlueCollarEntrepreneur #PurposeOverPaycheck #FaithBasedBusiness #CareerChange #BecomeYourOwnBoss

  5. Aug 13

    Corporate Isn't the Only Path: Non Traditional Career Paths for Veterans Webinar

    Corporate Isn't the Only Path: Non Traditional Career Paths for Veterans Webinar The best career move after military service may not be another employer. It may be business ownership.Have you heard about the Veteran2Entrepreneur Program?If you're a veteran or military family member exploring what's next, join me on Wednesday, August 12 for a complimentary educational webinar to learn how the Veteran2Entrepreneur Program helps participants explore business ownership as a realistic career option.During this webinar, you'll learn:• What the Veteran2Entrepreneur Program is and how it works• Whether business ownership aligns with your goals, lifestyle, and financial objectives• The many types of businesses available, far beyond restaurants and retail• How established business models can reduce many of the challenges of starting from scratch• How my complimentary coaching process can help you evaluate your options with confidenceWhether you're transitioning from the military, considering a career change, or simply want to learn what's possible, this webinar is designed to help you discover if business ownership could be the right next mission.Your next mission could be building a future that's truly your own.Set up a Discovery call with me at: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/Connect with me on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Corporate Isn't the Only Path: Non Traditional Career Paths for Veterans#veterans #veteranentrepreneurs #veteranresources #veteransupport #veterancareers #Entrepreneur’s Source

  6. Aug 13

    Starting a Business at 50 With Just $1,100: The Carte Charcuterie story

    Starting a Business at 50 With Just $1,100: The Carte Charcuterie storyStarting a business at 50? Melissa Brown did exactly that — with just $1,100 and a whole lot of courage.In this episode of Freedom Friday, part of the Journey to Business Ownership podcast, I sit down with Melissa Brown, owner of Carte Charcuterie, to talk about her leap from a career in pharmaceuticals, nonprofit work, and Texas Roadhouse into full-time business ownership.Melissa shares how she built her business around a $1,100 cart she found on Etsy, why staying home-based kept her startup costs low, and how she made the move to full-time just three and a half to four months ago. We also talk about the fear that comes with leaving a steady paycheck, the role her local Chamber and networking community played in giving her the courage to take the leap, and how business ownership has given her the freedom to spend more time with her daughter before she heads off to college.If you're on the fence about starting a business — no matter your age or where you're starting from — this episode is proof that it's never too late to bet on yourself.Connect with Melissa Brown / Carte Charcuterie:📱 Text: 502-718-8480 (she responds fast!)📧 Email: cartemobilelouisville@gmail.com📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581701961723📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cartemobile/Ready to explore business ownership for yourself?Whether you want to start a business, buy a business, or invest in a franchise, I offer free coaching and consulting to help you figure out what's possible.👉 Book a free discovery call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/👉 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/👉 Learn more: https://www.journeytobusinessownership.comDon't forget to like and subscribe — we're on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts. Until next time, keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck.Starting a Business at 50 With Just $1,100: The Carte Charcuterie story

  7. Aug 5

    AI Anxious to AI Ready: Holly Hartman on Building Future Workforce Systems and the WO Network

    AI Anxious to AI Ready: Holly Hartman on Building Future Workforce Systems and the WO NetworkIn this episode of Freedom Friday, Patrice sits down with Holly Hartman — founder of Future Workforce Systems and the WO Network (Women Leaders of Kentuckiana) — to talk about how she went from a six-figure medical sales and marketing career to building multiple businesses completely bootstrapped.Holly opens up about losing her job during COVID after the chiropractic practice she worked for closed, navigating single motherhood after leaving an abusive marriage, and how she built everything with what she calls "duct tape and a prayer" — no outside funding, just sweat equity and marketing know-how.She shares how that same resourcefulness led her into an unexpected niche: AI governance and workforce readiness. Holly breaks down why less than 50% of organizations using AI today have any kind of policy in place, why insurance requirements around AI compliance are coming in 2026, and how she helps business leaders move from "AI anxious" to "AI ready" through an ethical, human-centered lens.Along the way, Holly also talks about founding the WO Network, now a 4,000+ member nonprofit community supporting women leaders in Louisville and Southern Indiana, why she believes entrepreneurship is especially powerful for women navigating caregiving and other demands, and the power of getting clear on your core values as a "North Star" before making big decisions.In this episode, you'll hear about:Going from a six-figure job loss to building two businesses from scratchWhy she calls her approach "duct tape and a prayer"The real risk businesses face by not having an AI governance policyHow to know if your organization is "AI ready"Founding the WO Network and growing it to 4,000+ membersWhy entrepreneurship can be a path to freedom, especially for womenFinding your "North Star" core values before taking the leapConnect with Holly Hartman:🔗 Future Workforce Systems (free AI readiness assessment): https://www.futureworkforcesystems.com/🔗 WO Network: https://www.thewonetwork.com/📱 Follow Holly Facebook:   / thehollyhartman  Instagram:   / the_holly_hartman  LinkedIn:   / thehollyhartman  Connect with Patrice Miles:📅 Book a free discovery call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/sched...🔗 LinkedIn:   / patricemiles  🌐 Learn more: https://www.journeytobusinessownershi...If you're ready to explore what business ownership could look like in your life, my coaching is completely free — there's no reason not to take advantage of it. Don't forget to like, subscribe, or share this episode with someone who needs some encouragement today.Keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck. AI Anxious to AI Ready: Holly Hartman on Building Future Workforce Systems and the WO Network

  8. Jul 30

    Is Your Baby Ugly? Here's the Handyman Who Can Fix It

    Is Your Baby Ugly? Here's the Handyman Who Can Fix ItWelcome back to Freedom Friday at the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast! Today I'm joined by John Jennings, a franchise business owner with Focal Point Coaching, who spent 24 years in corporate IT before a severance package pushed him into entrepreneurship — a day he now calls the best of his life.John shares his journey from corporate leadership into business and leadership coaching, and we dive deep into his VATA role (Value Acceleration and Transition Advisor), where he partners with the Exit Planning Institute to help business owners get truly ready to sell.We talk about:✅ Why it takes 18-24 months to properly prepare a business for sale✅ The difference between a business broker (your realtor) and John's role (your handyman) — fixing what's broken before you ever list✅ Why 80% of owners regret selling their business within a year✅ Why only 20% of businesses are actually ready to sell when he first evaluates them✅ The secret to increasing your business's value: making yourself completely dispensable✅ Real client stories — including one owner who changed his mind about selling and fell back in love with his business, and another whose readiness assessment convinced him to finally accept a life-changing offerJohn also shares about his book, "Your Baby Is Ugly" (10 truths business owners need to hear), and his podcast, "Simply Business."If you're ready to explore what business ownership could look like in your life, I offer free coaching and consulting — no strings attached. Schedule your free discovery call here: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/sched...Connect with me on LinkedIn:   / patricemiles  Connect with John Jennings:LinkedIn: John K. Jennings https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnkjenn...Website: https://www.johnkjennings.comBook: "Your Baby Is Ugly" https://a.co/d/00bnokd4Podcast: "Simply Business"    • Simply Business Podcast  Don't forget to like and subscribe — we're on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple. Until next time, keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck.Is Your Baby Ugly? Here's the Handyman Who Can Fix It

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Freedom Fridays is a weekly podcast everyday entrepreneurs share educational insights to help you explore what business ownership could look like for you. Hosted by Patrice Miles, Franchise Business Owner and Career Ownership Coach with The Entrepreneur’s Source, this series dives into real stories, practical resources, and clear guidance for anyone considering a transition from employee to entrepreneur. Whether you’re curious about starting a business, buying a business or investing in a franchise, this playlist will equip you with clarity & inspiration.

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