Avoid These Mistakes as a New Franchise Owner Franchise Fridays with The Designery's Casey Ridley On this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, I sit down with Casey Ridley, President of The Designery, to talk about the journey from a mom-and-pop surplus store to building a fast-growing franchise brand with over 40 locations. We cover: Why franchising gives people time freedom and community impact The biggest mistakes new franchisees make (and how to avoid them) The key traits of successful franchise owners Misconceptions about franchising and what really matters The role of culture in making a franchisor great Trends shaping franchising: AI, automation, and the customer experience Whether you’re an aspiring business owner or just curious about franchising, this episode is packed with insight. 👉 Learn more about The Designery and Homefront Brands A FREE COPY OF JEFF'S Book Discernment Find Out More About Jeff Dudan 00:00 – Intro & welcome to Casey Ridley 01:12 – From surplus business to franchising 02:30 – Role as President of The Designery 04:05 – Why franchising gives people their time back 06:18 – Entrepreneurial background & Georgia Bulldogs banter 07:52 – Why people choose franchising today 09:03 – Competing in business: vendors & marketing advantages 11:05 – The ideal franchise candidate: team builders & fearless leaders 13:10 – Misconceptions about franchising 14:30 – Mindset shifts new owners need to make 15:45 – Culture: the difference between a good vs. great franchisor 17:10 – What people overlook when evaluating a franchise 18:25 – Biggest new owner mistake: “genius attacks” 20:12 – Success story: corporate escapee turned top franchisee 22:01 – Franchising trends: AI, automation & showroom experiences 23:45 – One big question for those on the fence 25:00 – Closing & CTA #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseSuccess #HomefrontBrands #UnemployablePodcast #JeffDudan #TheDesignery #WealthCreation #SmallBusiness

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Erin King joins Jeff Dudan on Unemployable to reveal why energy—not time or money—is the ultimate edge in business and life. From building a top social media agency to conducting the world’s largest research study on human energy, Erin shares how to unlock your “energy instinct,” lead with clarity, and avoid burnout while building a bold future. Erin is an award-winning entrepreneur, keynote speaker, and author of You’re Kind of a Big Deal. She created the Energy Exam to help leaders and teams discover their vibe and tap into peak performance. 👉 Take Erin’s Energy Exam 📖 Learn more about Erin’s work 📸 Follow Erin on Instagram 💼 Subscribe for More Business & Career Insights 📩 Follow me on Social Media for More: 👉 LinkedIn 👉 Instagram

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⏱ Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Who is Erin King? 00:41 – What lights you up? 01:27 – Lessons from dad and family values 03:32 – Simplicity, principles, and leadership energy 05:44 – Burnout, breakdowns, and discovering energy 07:19 – The Social Dilemma wake-up call 08:41 – Panic attack and resetting priorities 09:49 – The Energy Study: 10,000 people, one big insight 18:17 – The science of vibe 23:02 – The three boulders blocking energy 26:50 – Oprah’s big shift: from reporting to relating 31:24 – Five energy types and leadership 34:03 – Becoming a “bad listener” with intention 43:29 – Jealousy vs. healthy competition 47:28 – Knowing your summit and enoughness 52:07 – Disarming jealousy with compliments 53:12 – The Energy Exam and power words 59:15 – Too much energy? Compatibility and adjustment 1:02:40 – Calm abundance vs. pick-me energy 1:02:44 – Erin’s upcoming book The Energy Instinct 1:06:25 – One sentence to change a life 1:10:57 – Gratitude, service, and final thoughts #ErinKing #UnemployablePodcast #JeffDudan #LeadershipEnergy #HighPerformance #EntrepreneurMindset #EnergyManagement #BusinessGrowth #VibeMatters #FranchiseLeadership #PeakPerformance #MindsetShift #EntrepreneurLife #LeadershipDevelopment #PersonalGrowth #AvoidBurnout #LeadWithEnergy #BusinessLeadership #SuccessMindset #EnergyIsEverything

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Franchising works when franchisees are at the center. In this Franchise Friday, I sit down with Homefront Brands’ Chief Legal Officer to talk FDDs, legal guardrails, and the real reasons some owners scale while others stall. We cover the traits of top performers (intuition, smarts, grit), the biggest misconception (“it’s easy”), why private equity is moving to the franchisee side, and how culture and values beat shortcuts. If you’re on the fence, ask yourself one question: Do you trust who you’re going into business with? Learn more at HomefrontBrands.com. Grab my book Discernment: The Business Athlete’s Regimen for a Great Life Through Better Decisions to make your next move with confidence.

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🔗 Homefront Brands

00:00 Cold open & intro 00:42 Why a career in franchise law – Taco Bell cube moment 02:06 What a CLO actually does – FDDs, field support, contracts 03:20 Walking with owners through challenges – building real relationships 05:40 Shared goal – franchisee success drives brand success 07:12 Community over solo – the advantage you can’t buy 07:47 Why franchising beats going alone 08:40 Who should franchise – intuition, smarts, grit 10:25 “Rooster” story – never judge the book 12:20 The hardest part to measure – heart and desire 13:58 Misconception – “franchising is easy” 15:21 Mindset shift – humility, engagement, follow the system 17:10 What great franchisors do differently – values → trust → outcomes 19:49 What candidates overlook – intangibles, integrity under pressure 21:44 #1 new-owner mistake – not trusting the system “genius attacks” 22:54 Homefront’s edge – coaching culture & the football mindset 24:40 Three-to-five year trends – consolidation, roll-ups, PE with franchisees 26:15 People plus math – scaling done right 27:19 The one question before you buy – trust #FranchiseFridays #UnemployableWithJeffDudan #Franchising #FranchiseBusiness #FranchiseOpportunities #FranchiseGrowth #FranchiseSuccess #FranchiseOwners #FranchiseLife #FranchiseTips #FranchiseInsights #Entrepreneurship #BusinessGrowth #BusinessOwners #SmallBusiness #StartYourBusiness #BusinessMindset #Leadership #Grit #Discipline #BusinessAthlete #MindsetMatters #SuccessMindset #EntrepreneurMindset #BusinessLeadership #GrowthMindset #HomefrontBrands #UnemployableWithJeffDudan #FranchiseFridays #JeffDudan #DiscernmentBook #BusinessAthleteLife #PrivateEquity #ScalingUp #BusinessExpansion #UnitEconomics #FranchiseFunding #FranchiseInvesting #BusinessStrategy #TeamCulture #BusinessCommunity #TrustedPartners #BusinessRelationships #BusinessSupport #BusinessCoaching

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What does it really take to push past every limit life throws at you? In this powerful episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, I sit down with world-record mountain climber, champion wrestler, and New York Times bestselling author Kyle Maynard. Born without arms and legs, Kyle has summited Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua, fought in jiu-jitsu world championships, built thriving businesses, and inspired millions. We talk about: Building grit and mental toughness when the odds say quit The hidden power of environment and who you choose to compete with Turning obstacles into opportunities—from sports to startups Lessons from extreme climbs, combat sports, and elite military friendships How to follow your bliss (and why real fulfillment requires struggle) Kyle’s story proves we all have invisible “disabilities”—and that greatness comes from the mindset we build, not the circumstances we’re born with. FREE COPY of Jeff's Book DISCERNMENT

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https://www.kyle-maynard.com

00:00 Welcome & episode overview 01:00 Kyle’s birth story and early family life 06:30 Growing up with a congenital amputation and choosing normalcy 11:05 Love of competition—football, wrestling, and early sports drive 17:30 Building a CrossFit gym during the 2008 market crash 23:30 Entrepreneurship lessons and delayed gratification 28:30 Wrestling journey—35 straight losses to state-level success 36:00 Wrestling style, technique adaptations, and breakthrough season 39:00 Discovering jiu-jitsu and competing in world championships 46:00 Facing brutal climbs on Kilimanjaro & Western Breach 51:00 Training, team dynamics, and summit emotions 57:00 Aconcagua expedition and being among the highest people in the world 1:01:00 Lessons from extreme challenges: mindset and environment 1:05:00 Life-changing encounters: Tim Ferriss, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and more 1:08:30 Universal challenges—we all have “invisible disabilities” 1:10:00 Building a global speaking career and inspiring audiences 1:12:00 What’s next—future climbs, projects, and teaching opportunities 1:16:00 Kyle’s one-sentence life advice: “Follow your bliss” #KyleMaynard, #JeffDudan, #UnemployablePodcast, #OvercomingAdversity, #EntrepreneurMindset, #MountainClimbing, #JiuJitsu, #Inspiration, #MentalToughness, #NoExcuses

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Franchise Friday goes inside the mindset of a decorated Army special-operations veteran turned franchise president. Jeff Dudan sits down with Keven Elwood, President of Window Hero, to explore how military discipline translates to business freedom and why franchising is a natural path for veterans and driven entrepreneurs. Keven shares: Lessons from 20 years in Army special operations How a single LinkedIn post led him to buy—and grow—a home services franchise Why systems, culture, and community separate great franchisors from good ones The mental shift veterans and career professionals must make to own a business How Homefront Brands supports owners with targeted marketing and hands-on coaching Whether you’re a veteran considering business ownership or an entrepreneur looking for proven systems, this episode shows how franchising can create wealth, freedom, and legacy.

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Window Hero

00:00 Welcome & Introduction 02:05 Keven Elwood’s Military Journey and Leadership Foundations 06:18 Discovering Franchising through a Viral LinkedIn Post 10:42 From Franchisee to Franchise President: Lessons Learned 14:36 Overcoming the Mental Block of Business Ownership 18:30 Culture, Community & What Makes a Great Franchisor 21:40 One Question Every Future Franchise Owner Must Ask #FranchiseFriday #VeteransInBusiness #HomefrontBrands #WindowHero #JeffDudan #Franchising #BusinessOwnership #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Veterans

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On today’s Unemployable, we tackle the hard stuff: why cancer remains our biggest health challenge, why water quality may define the next global conflict, how outbreaks re-enter the U.S. (measles, dengue, bioterror), what COVID actually taught us, and where AI and genomics help—or create new risks. Along the way we talk access to care, compounding vs. brand-name drugs, GLP-1s (Ozempic/Wegovy), and the habits that really move the needle: sleep, strength, hydration, and walking with purpose. My guest is a former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Health and four-star admiral in the U.S. Public Health Service with leadership roles spanning MD Anderson’s Moon Shots, WHO, and federal response teams for anthrax and Ebola. It’s a masterclass in population health, plain talk, and what leaders should actually do next. Timestamps below. If this helps you think clearer and lead better, hit subscribe and share it with one person who needs it today. Disclaimers: This show is educational only. Nothing here is medical advice. Talk to your doctor before making decisions about screening, vaccines, medications, or treatment.

Resources mentioned: • Joxel Garcia's books on Amazon • St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital • MD Anderson Moon Shots • CDC/WHO resources on vaccines & outbreaks

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00:00 Welcome and setup: cancer, water, and real risk 02:08 Biggest current U.S. health challenge 03:35 Inside MD Anderson’s Moon Shots 05:26 Childhood cancer progress vs. rising exposures 07:19 What’s in our water? Plastics, fluoride, pipes, reality 08:13 How water is regulated—and where it fails 11:39 Desalination, waste, and global scarcity 14:45 Anthrax and Ebola: lessons from the front lines 17:44 Borders, measles comeback, and dengue risk in the South 20:10 WHO, politics vs. real public health 22:28 AI, bio-risk, and lab evolution concerns 24:36 Ferronia Life: AI for women’s hormones (and men next) 26:00 Melanoma breakthroughs and how medicine learns 27:22 Genomics, privacy, and national security 30:06 COVID five years later: what worked, what didn’t 36:14 Vaccines, herd immunity, and flu trade-offs 39:53 GLP-1s (Ozempic/Wegovy) + behavior change that sticks 43:50 Daily fundamentals: walk fast, lift something, sleep 44:27 Why write children’s books about health? 48:40 “Golden Palms & Blue Skies” and leadership values 50:30 Culture notes: El Coquí and farm memories 50:42 Pharma, compounding, and access to life-saving meds 52:34 Cash-only cancer centers, fairness, and ethics 55:41 Organ trade realities and a hard ethical line 01:01:17 Ferronia details, contact, and scope 01:05:09 If I had to start a business in 30 days… 01:08:19 Fastball: one sentence to change a life 01:09:51 Closing #Unemployable #JeffDudan #PublicHealth #Cancer #Water #Biosecurity #Vaccines #Outbreaks #AIinHealth #Genomics #GLP1 #HealthLeadership #PreventiveHealth

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If you’re on the fence about franchising—or expanding your portfolio—this one’s for you. We break down who actually wins in franchising, the real traits of top owners, why “required service” beats “sexy concept,” and how to play the long game with guardrails, data, and community. Michael Wagner, president of Roof Scientist at Homefront Brands, joins me to unpack (kidding 😉) the practical stuff: following the model, being the local face of your brand, building teams without drowning in tasks, and picking categories that are resilient, high-margin, and Amazon-proof. We also talk AI/tech in the customer journey, what great franchisors do differently, and the one question to ask yourself before you jump. What you’ll learn Owner traits that beat résumé bullets Why required services + high margins matter more than “sexy” Year-one focus (brand, local presence, customer flow) The mistake new owners make (trying to do it all) How great franchisors lead: people first, candor, numbers AI & tech: where it actually helps the customer journey The question every fence-sitter must answer

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🔗 Homefront Brands

00:00 Cold open & setup 00:32 Welcome + why this conversation matters 01:35 Background — 10+ years in franchising, launching Roof Scientist 02:40 Role at Homefront Brands — building brand number five 03:40 Why first-time owners win — bet on yourself 04:45 Problems franchising actually solves 06:05 Ideal owner profile 07:35 Misconceptions — beyond fast food, required services win 08:50 Mindset shifts for first-time owners 10:10 What great franchisors actually do 11:35 Common early mistakes — and the fix 12:55 The platform edge at Homefront Brands 14:05 Trends — AI, tech, and Amazon-proof categories 15:20 Success story — first franchisee to 3.5M revenue 16:25 On the fence — the one question to ask 17:15 Wrap and next steps 18:10 Key takeaways 19:05 Closing — links and book

#FranchiseFridays, #Franchising, #BusinessOwnership, #HomefrontBrands, #RoofScientist, #SmallBusiness, #Entrepreneurship, #UnitEconomics, #AmazonProof, #AIforBusiness

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Family-First Wealth Through Franchising : Franchise Secrets with Erik Van Horn Franchising from the ranch. 🌾 In this episode of Unemployable with Jeff Dudan, Erik Van Horn—multi-unit franchisee, franchisor, advisor at Front Street Equity Partners, and host of Franchise Secrets—shares the real playbook: building wealth as a franchisee and franchisor, timing exits, avoiding emerging-brand pitfalls, and why AI in franchising is the next unfair advantage. We cover family-first living in rural Spearfish, South Dakota, mastermind leverage, KPIs that actually move revenue, and the categories poised to surge (pets, health & wellness, voice agents, and more). Whether you’re exploring your first territory or scaling a portfolio, this conversation is packed with practical strategy—people + math, how to pick the right brand, how to become a top performer in your system, and what buyers really value when it’s time to sell. 👉 If you’re serious about franchise ownership or scaling an emerging brand, subscribe and tap the bell. 👉 Want to explore opportunities with Jeff’s team? Visit Homefront Brands (link in description). 👉 Connect with Erik: FranchiseSecrets.com and FrontStreetEP.com. What you’ll learn How to build family-first wealth through franchising—without chasing the Joneses The exact behaviors that separate top franchisees from average operators Multiples, buyers, white space, and how real exits happen The AI stack every franchisor/franchisee should implement now FREE COPY of Jeff's Book DISCERNMENT

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00:00 | Intro: Franchising from the ranch 01:19 | Life on 80 acres: choosing family first 04:01 | Small-town values, big-time focus 08:59 | Is franchising the greatest wealth engine? 10:47 | Private equity, multiples & real exit stories 14:24 | How portfolios get built (and bought) 19:12 | What Erik actually does (Front Street Equity Partners) 21:32 | Why most emerging franchisors struggle 25:46 | People + math: the operator’s edge 32:58 | Outcomes over opinions: the franchisee experience 35:21 | Approving candidates: who really wins (and why) 37:44 | From “I’m doing it” to level-10 execution 40:03 | Masterminds, humility & getting in bigger rooms 55:21 | Education businesses, groups & sustainable value 1:04:11 | AI that saves money and boosts performance 1:10:23 | Category trends: pets, health & wellness, more 1:22:05 | Will franchising keep accelerating? 1:28:26 | Where to find Erik (Franchise Secrets / Front Street) 1:29:59 | Curveball: business Erik would start in 30 days 1:30:10 | One sentence that changes your life 1:31:27 | Closing: subscribe for more franchising strategy #Franchising #ErikVanHorn #JeffDudan #FranchiseSecrets #HomefrontBrands #FranchiseOwnership #EmergingBrands #AIinFranchising #MultiUnit #PrivateEquity #WealthBuilding #Entrepreneurship

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