Episode 1161: Happy New Year!

Happy New Year, Geeks! Welcome to Season 16 of the Social Geek podcast. It’s our New Year’s Special with an all-star guest list of prominent Franchising professionals sharing trends they are seeing for 2025 along with their plans, goals, and resolutions for the new year. Pour yourself a hot coffee, Mimosa, or Bloody Mary and join in the conversations with Matt Haller, Brandi Kloostra, Kirk Allen, Rebecca Wright, Jerry Akers, Megan Center, Heather McLeod; Amanda Dempsey, Kelli Schroeder, Kristen Pechacek, Scott Greenberg, Ali Kraus, Derrick Ableman, and Danielle Wright joining host Jack Monson These thought leaders cover many ideas including the likely end of economic uncertainty, AI decision-making and practical uses, drones, X-Mail, Elon Musk, aliens, mentorship, IFA’s Franship, private equity investment in smaller brands and suppliers, being intentional, rising costs of acquisition for marketers, 1st party data, personas, short form videos, nano influencer marketing, the growth of franchise coaches, resales, Boomer retirement, sexy businesses, hyper-personalization, and of course IFA 2025 #francon. Whew! Cheers to a BIG 2025 to all our sponsors & partners including Northeast Color, Hughes, Citrin Cooperman, and Franzy. Thanks for your continued support. And thanks to YOU for joining us and staying connect on the Social Geek Radio Network. Special Guests: Ali Kraus, Amanda Dempsey, Brandi Kloostra, Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Heather McLeod, Jerry Akers, Kelli Schroeder, Kirk Allen, Kristen Pechacek, Matt Haller, Megan Center, Rebecca Wright, and Scott Greenberg.

Hello Geeks! Extra test episode here today – running some tests as we switch over to a new, more robust platform behind the scenes for the upcoming year. I hope you’re having a great holiday season and thanks for staying connected. We will be back Jan 1, 2025 for Season 16 of Social Geek with a BIG show to kick off a BIG year!

“The are two types of businesses in the future: those who are closed and those who are using AI.”    The AI Sherpa, Robert Mitchell, takes a brief look back at 2024 and a big look ahead to 2025 for Franchise systems adopting AI.  The quick wins for franchisors implementing AI in their day to day operations are occurring more and more. As brands see more efficiencies and more team members are doubling down using AI, and therefore creating even more efficiencies, we will start seeing the true impact on our businesses.  Robert also gives advice on proving ROI for your CEO, Board, and Private Equity.  Thanks to WSI!

The Franchise News Podcast with Jack Monson for December 11, 2024   Thanks to Text Request and Promotex!

Sunglasses on.  The Franchise Rock Stars are back.     Mission Statements: Are they Necessary or Nonsense?   Do we need them? If so, can they be improved? Or do we send them to the corporate lingo dumpster of the past   Our Rock Star panel is back! Ali Kraus, Danielle Wright, Derrick Ableman, Kristen Pechacek, and Scott Greenberg share their views and examples of good and bad mission statements.   Thanks to Northeast Color, Hughes, Citrin Cooperman, and Tsource.

Welcome to Just Jania, the podcast hosted by Jania Bailey and powered by FranNet. “If you’re achieving your goals by yourself, you’re not thinking BIG enough.” Ryan Parsons is the CEO of Evive Brands, a franchisor that includes services such as Executive Home Care, Assisted Living Locators, Grasons Co., and Brothers That Just Do Gutters.  Ryan shares stories about the evolution from working in the trades, to starting a home services franchise, to expanding into a multi-brand platform. Jania and Ryan also have advice for aspiring entrepreneurs!

The Franchise News Podcast with Jack Monson for December 4, 2024     Thanks to Text Request and Promotex!

Why Franchising? We spoke with many entrepreneurs and franchisors LIVE at this year’s Franchise Expo Austin about why they decided to franchise their concept. And, why are franchisee partners finding success with their brand? What’s in it for them? In part 2, you'll hear from these extraordinary Franchisors: Alex Wright, Pups Pub Natalie Hansen, Perkins Ken Baker, Sun Stoppers Jorge Campos, Movita Juice Bar Jack Hall, Cici’s Pizza JJ and Traci, Get A Haircut And then we’ll wrap this year’s MVF Podcast Zone shows with a special conversation with Rafael Alvarez, CEO of The Latino Franchise Association.  Rafael shares some challenges potential franchisees are currently facing, how the LFA can help, and trends with franchise brands from Latin America.   Thanks Northeast Color, Source, Citrin Cooperman, and Hughes!

Why Franchising? We spoke with many entrepreneurs and franchisors LIVE at this year’s Franchise Expo Austin about why they decided to franchise their concept. And, why are franchisee partners finding success with their brand? What’s in it for them? Today you'll hear from these extraordinary Franchisors: Ken Phipps, Eggs Up Grill Brandon Wilhem, Hangry Joe’s Lauri White, Pizza Drop James Carey, Preservan Kerri Da Silva, Rapid Hose Dan Bish, Eat Gather Love But first, we start with a conversation with SMB Franchise Advisers’ Dawn Abbamondi and Shannon Wilburn about the state of franching!  #itsallabouttherelationship And then we’ll wrap the show with an update from Dr John Hayes, who teaches The A to Zs at the Expos and is once again hosting the Selling Franchises Summit, coming up January 23-24 in West Palm Beach with the Titus Center for Franchising. Thanks to Citrin Cooperman, Hughes, Northeast Color, and Tsource. And thank YOU for listening and staying connected on the Social Geek Radio Network!

The Franchise News Podcast with Jack Monson for November 20, 2024 thoughtleadershipawards franchisethoughtleadership Thanks to Text Request and Promotex!