What if hiring the right assistant could completely change the way you run your business?

In this episode, Erik Van Horn sits down with Kasim Aslam to talk about why most entrepreneurs hire virtual assistants the wrong way—and how elite executive assistants can unlock massive leverage inside a company.

Instead of hiring cheap offshore labor, Kasim explains the process his company uses to find world-class executive assistants from around the world. With a hiring funnel that can take over 1,000 applicants to find one elite EA, the result is talent capable of running projects, managing teams, and freeing entrepreneurs to focus on growth.

They discuss how one EA helped build an entire research operation, manage a thriving community, and even contribute to writing a bestselling book.

If you're an entrepreneur, franchise owner, or operator looking to reclaim your time and scale your business, this conversation will change how you think about hiring.

Timestamps:

00:00 Technology EA Running Circles Around In-House Teams

01:16 "This Changed My Life" — Entrepreneurs Getting Out of Their Inbox

02:35 Why Kasim Says: Don't Hire a VA, Hire an EA

03:27 The Wild Hiring Funnel: 1,000 Applicants for One Assistant

04:00 Why Paying More Gets You 10x Better Talent

05:30 The EA Who Built an Entire Business (Including a Book)

06:27 From Executive Assistant to Millionaire Business Partner

10:34 Why a Trained EA Outperforms Most Tech Teams

12:08 The "Navy SEAL" Bootcamp That Produces Elite Assistants

19:08 The 2-6-2 Delegation Rule Every Entrepreneur Should Know

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#VirtualAssistants #KasimAslam #Business #Franchising

Everyone sees the explosive growth stories.

No one sees the infrastructure behind them.

Franchise growth isn't luck. It's systems, process, lead flow, speed-to-lead, territory checks, CRM automation, discovery frameworks, and disciplined scaling.

Most brands try to scale before they build the foundation, and that's where things break.

In this episode, Bobby Brennan and I break down:

• Why 90% of entrepreneurs fail

• Why "slow is fast" in franchising

• The hidden backend systems that separate scalable brands from hype

• The dangerous mistake emerging franchisors make

• What buyers should be watching for

If you're building a franchise brand...or thinking about buying one...this is the episode most people skip.

Timestamps:

0:00 – 90% of Entrepreneurs Fail. Why?

2:00 – Everyone Wants Instant Results (That's the Problem)

3:26 – "Success Comes Before Work" (Except in One Place)

4:02 – If I Can't Scare You Off, I Don't Want You

5:57 – Business Ownership Is Harder Than You Think

7:42 – Why "Hot" Franchise Brands Eventually Struggle

9:55 – The #1 Mistake in Franchise Development

12:14 – Slow Is Fast. Fast Is Slow.

16:49 – Could We Sell Hundreds Right Now? Yes. Should We? No.

21:15 – The Invisible Infrastructure Most Brands Don't Have

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Franchise #Growth #BrandBuilding

Most entrepreneurs think wealth is about making more money.

But that's not the real game.

In this episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik and Justin break down:

* Why some deals sell for massive multiples

* What private equity actually looks at

* Why embedded (future) EBITDA changes everything

* How high-level investors think differently

* The difference between playing small and playing bigger

* Why critics often miss what sophisticated buyers see

* And the real decision behind building wealth

This conversation goes deeper than valuation strategy. It's about mindset, access, and understanding the level of the game you're playing.

If you're building a franchise brand, planning an exit, or thinking about long-term wealth creation, this episode will shift how you see value.

Timestamps:

00:02:10 – Inside Closed-Door Conversations With the Fed & Wall Street

00:05:10 – Curiosity vs. Criticism: How High-Level Operators Think

00:08:11 – The 30X EBITDA Deal That Sparked Debate

00:09:13 – Why Future EBITDA Changes Everything

00:10:38 – Don't Judge the Game From the Sidelines

00:11:47 – Different Levels. Different Rules.

00:13:57 – Why Smart Investors Pay a Premium

00:16:15 – The Wealth Gap Most Entrepreneurs Don't Understand

00:20:14 – The Real Tradeoff: Time vs. More Money

00:23:12 – "You're Doing It for Your Ego"

Connect with Justin here:

https://lifestyleinvestor.com/

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Wealth #Franchise #LifestyleInvestor

At a recent franchise event, two brands presented nearly identical revenue numbers.

One claimed 15% EBITDA margins.

The other claimed 35% EBITDA margins.

That's a massive difference.

So who's right?

In this episode of Franchise Secrets, I sit down with Kristin Brindley, multi-unit franchisee and seasoned entrepreneur, to break down:

-Why EBITDA claims can be misleading

-How franchisors actually make money

-The retail vs wholesale pricing trap

-Why industry research matters more than brand research

-How to validate margins before investing

-What serious buyers do that amateurs skip

If you're evaluating a franchise opportunity, this conversation could save you six figures — or more.

👉 Before you buy a franchise, do your homework on the industry, not just the brand.

Timestamps:

00:00 Why Industry Research Is So Important

02:04 Kristin Brindley's Origin Story (Cutco → 7 Franchises)

06:38 Built vs. Acquired: Growing to 7 Units Fast

13:22 AI, Automation & Virtual Assistants at Scale

20:17 Buying Criteria: What Makes a Business Attractive

31:29 "Systems, Not Heroics" — The Roll-Up Philosophy

39:05 15% vs 35% EBITDA — Who's Right?

40:44 The Retail vs Wholesale Margin Trap

49:44 Saving Hundreds of Thousands (Tax Strategy Breakdown)

54:16 From Franchisee to Portfolio CEO

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Franchising #EBITDA #Acquisitions

For 20 years businesses fought to win Google search. Billions were invested in SEO, backlinks, and ranking tactics. Now that entire system is being replaced.

In this conversation, Kasim Aslam explains why Answer Engine Optimization (AEO)—how AI tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Gemini, and Claude choose answers—will replace traditional SEO, and why Google will eventually "set its own search graph on fire."

This isn't theory.

* Over 90% of AI citations come from just 12% of websites

* AI prefers people over brands

* Schema matters more than content

* Category kings can be dethroned overnight

If you're an entrepreneur, franchisor, creator, or business owner, this is the biggest opportunity since social media—and most people don't even know it's happening.

We cover:

* Why SEO is becoming irrelevant

* How AI chooses authorities

* The difference between SEO vs AEO

* Why brands will lose to personal authority

* The exact first steps to rank in AI

* How to future-proof your business

Timestamps:

0:00 – 0:47 — SEO Is About to Be Wiped Off the Map

13:10 – 14:17 — The Day AEO Replaced SEO

15:18 – 16:38 — AI Traffic Is 100x More Valuable Than Google

20:12 – 21:09 — AI Trusts People, Not Brands

26:12 – 27:58 — The Schema Secret 88% of Websites Miss

22:06 – 23:24 — Why Google Rankings Won't Matter Soon

28:23 – 29:32 — Give for 3 Years, Monetize Once

7:01 – 8:41 — Exits Don't Fix Entrepreneurs

24:02 – 24:43 — Micro Authorities Will Beat Mega Brands

4:44 – 5:36 — My Billion-Dollar Moonshot Strategy

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#AI #Business #AEO #SEO

Most people think becoming a business owner means going "all in," risking your family, your savings, and your sanity. Scott did the opposite.

In this episode we break down how he moved from a high-paying W-2 career into ownership—step by step—by buying existing businesses, using smart tax strategy, and leveraging real estate instead of blind risk.

We cover:

• Why buying existing beats starting from zero

• How a long-term lease became a real estate power play

• The tax planning most entrepreneurs never hear about

• Building wealth without blowing up cash flow

• What it actually takes to leave a W-2 safely

This isn't theory—it's a real roadmap for employees who want to become owners without gambling it all.

👉 Want help finding the right franchise or business? Visit: ScalableFranchise.com

👉 Join the free community: FranchiseSecrets.com/facebook

Timestamps:

00:00 – "I Was Hoping You'd Be a 3/10 Guest"

04:18 – Why Buy an Existing Business Instead of Starting One

07:46 – The Gradual Exit from a High-Paying W-2

12:55 – How Real Estate Makes You More Bankable

14:37 – The Tax Strategy Most Entrepreneurs Never Use

22:51 – Saving 70–80% in Taxes After Leaving W-2

31:32 – The Franchise That Nearly Took Us Out

35:46 – The Lease Trick That Bought a Building for Less

40:48 – Thinking Bigger Than Just Cash Flow

48:22 – Quitting the $200k W-2: The Emotional Reality

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Franchise #Business #FranchiseSecrets

On today's episode of Franchise Secrets, Erik Van Horn sits down with Nick Najjar—Cutco alum, Real Producers franchisee, multi-business owner, mobile home park investor, and all-around deal maker.

Nick breaks down the real roadmap from franchise operator… to entrepreneur… to true wealth builder.

You'll hear:

• How Cutco shaped some of the greatest operators in franchising

• How Nick launched multiple Real Producers markets

• Why his entire wealth journey changed the day he hired the right operator

• The truth about "passive investing" (and why it still takes work)

• How he bought a roofing company at a great multiple

• Why masterminds outperform mentors

• How to evaluate ANY home-services business—franchise or not

• What franchise buyers MUST compare: industry vs. franchisor

• His mobile-home-park deal flow (and how he wholesaled for massive assignment fees)

• Why your exit plan should be the FIRST question you ask

This episode is packed with strategy that applies whether you're a franchisee, an entrepreneur, or looking to acquire your first company.

📌 Join the FREE Franchise Secrets Facebook Group

https://franchisesecrets.com/facebook

📌 Join the Franchisee Mastermind

https://scalablefranchise.com

Timestamps:

00:00 – Why You Shouldn't Invest Too Early

06:06 – How a Franchise Became His Wealth Vehicle

08:40 – Hiring the Operator That Changed Everything

11:06 – Nick's Superpower: Deal Making

14:56 – Leveraging Offshore Talent to Scale Faster

18:37 – When True Mental Freedom Finally Clicked

22:03 – Why Masterminds Beat Mentors

25:46 – The Home-Services Deep Dive

33:32 – Operator Alignment vs. Industry Choice

47:27 – Your Exit Strategy Must Come First

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Entrepreneurship #Franchising #Wealth

Most franchise owners don't fail because of the business model—they fail because they optimize for the wrong thing.

In today's episode, Hunter Mitchem breaks down the profit-first mindset that traps thousands of single-unit franchisees…and how multi-unit owners think completely differently.

You'll learn:

– Why your first location's "perfect margins" might be costing you long-term freedom

– The mindset shift Hunter made to scale aggressively

– How he opened 16 locations in 24 months

– Why building a team early beats running lean

– How real estate, franchising, and home services all compound

– The real difference between owners who stay stuck…and owners who scale

Whether you're a new franchisee or already dreaming about multi-unit ownership, this episode gives you the clarity, frameworks, and mental models to finally break through.

Timestamps:

0:29:54 — The Profit-First Trap That Almost Held Us Back

0:30:45 — The Fundamental Reset Every Multi-Unit Owner Must Make

0:31:15 — Why We Stopped Optimizing for Day-One Profit

0:32:15 — When Opening More Units Makes You Worse…Before It Makes You Better

0:31:44 — How We Built a Team That Could Open Studios Without Us

0:14:18 — The ADHD + Anxiety Advantage in Entrepreneurship

0:09:12 — The Banking Strategy Behind Opening 16 Locations in 24 Months

0:07:14 — How Real Estate Became the Fuel for Every New Franchise We Opened

0:22:58 — Why We Built a Multi-Brand Wellness Platform Instead of Staying Small

0:18:21 — The Moment I Realized I Couldn't Scale Until I Learned to Delegate

Connect with Erik Van Horn:

🌐 Website - https://franchisesecrets.com/

📷 Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/erikvanhorn/

👍 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/erik.v.horn/

💼 LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/evanhorn/

Best Franchise Starter Playlist:

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMlgRgsBAo4LWNCMSOthnK0r&si=TD1z25-ie2d23rGm

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMle5_OUXiuLbc_UPBtz1vTE&si=uCOgDya1VnnCarDf

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEEithd54kMk2Kw07KwZGWgF8UTx9N5_T&si=ZldjBOqFanGE-JUL

#Entrepreneurship

#Scaling

#Mindset