Franchise Friday

On today's episode of Franchise Friday, we're joined by Linnore Gonzales, serial entrepreneur and Decor & You franchise owner. About Our Guest Linnore grew up with her family being entrepreneurs so she always knew that she will own and operate her own business. In 1999, Linnore and her husband bought a paint-your-own-ceramics studio in Englewood,CO and converted this independent business to a Color Me Mine franchise. In a span of 10 years they owned and operated three Color Me Mine retail locations in Park Meadows, Boulder and Cherry Creek. In 2003, Linnore joined with the Decor & You® Franchise and opened a Decor & You® decorating firm in Highlands Ranch. Linnore employs a talented team of designers and design assistants who provide design services to the Denver Metro Area and Front Range communities. Since opening the Highlands Ranch office, Decor & You® has been a phenomenal success winning numerous awards and accolades from “Best of the Best” in Littleton, Highlands Ranch, Castle Rock and Englewood to winning the “Award of Excellence” at the Colorado Decorating and Remodeling Show. In 2011, Decor & You® was chosen as an Interior Design finalist by the Homebuilders Association (HBA) Bar and CARE Awards committee for a sustainable home they designed and decorated in Elizabeth, CO. Decor & You® also participated in numerous successful TV promotion campaigns:9News Rescue My Ugly Family Room makeover promotion, the local ABC station’s D&Y Makeover contest and Fox 31 Space Lift. Linnore has also done twice a month segments as a design expert sharing her decorating and lifestyle tips and expertise on Channel 2’s Colorado’s Best television program.Décor & You was recognized in April 2014 as Small Business of the Year by the Chamber of Commerce of Highlands Ranch.

Today's Franchise Friday guest is Frank Soccorsi, President at Driven Brands Mobile services. He'll be joining us to talk about the ins and outs of his franchised business, diving into a profile of the ideal franchisee, exaimining the lifestyle choices afforded to franchisees, and much more. About Our Guest Frank Soccorsi joined Driven Brands as President and COO of Mobile Services in 2008 with over 27 years of experience in the automotive aftermarket and franchising industries. Mobile Services is comprised of AutoQual, AeroColours and Drive N Style, each of which provide a variety of services and profit opportunities to primarily new and used car dealers. Prior to joining the Driven Brand'steam, Soccorsi evolved his leadership skills, holding a number of positions with Ziebart International Corporation including Executive VP and COO. Soccorsialso served on Ziebart's Board of Directors from 2003 to 2006. In November of 2006 Soccorsi joined Automotive Franchise Systems where he served as COO forAutoQual and Drive N Style which were acquired by Driven Brands in early 2008.

This week on Franchise Friday, host Brendan Major is joined by Gus Iurillo of The Entrepreneur's Source. Gus will be joining us to talk about exploring semi-absentee franchise ownership as a means of diversification, including the definition of a semi-absentee business, what makes someone a good candidate to explore this avenue, some examples of semi-absentee business models, and much more! About Our Guest Gus Iurillo has been an Entrepreneur's Source coach and multi-unit franchise owner for the last 12 years. During that time, he has assisted nearly 250 people to realize their aspiration, to own their own business. Prior to that, he spent 15 years in Corporate America, working in marketing roles of increasing responsibility for 4 different Fortune 500 companies.

This week on Franchise Friday, Brendan Major is joined by Susan Scotts of The Entrepreneur's Source. Susan will talk about some of the joys of business ownership, and how anyone can achieve this goal. She'll also cover the benefits of building wealth and equity for yourself, but not by yourself. Be sure to tune in! About Our Guest Susan Scotts is devoted to motivating, providing direction, and inspiring others to manifest their best. A highly respected coach, author, speaker and trainer, Susan enjoys being part of her clients' journey of self-discovery. She helps guide clients towards self-sufficiency by exploring alternate career options in a safe environment. With over 20 years of experience in the franchising industry, and enjoys helping others invest in themselves and educates them about the possibilities and options that exist to become self-sufficient. She’s committed to empowering others to achieve their income, lifestyle wealth and equity goals. She believes everyone has a right to manifesting the life they want, and uses her unique style to help clients design their dream lives, and help them foster a new way of thinking.

This week on Franchise Friday Brendan Major is joined by Susan Strong, an Area Developer in Northern California for The Entrepreneur's Source and Advicoach self-employment and business coaching franchise organizations. Susan has a strong background in corporate human resources, and brings many qualities and skills that she has learned over the years into her current endeavors. Susan will discuss some of those skills, and why they have been helpful in making her Entrepreneur's Source and AdviCoach franchises so successful. She'll also talk about the difference between consulting and coaching, and why it's important to know the difference between the two. About Our Guest Susan is an Area Developer in Northern California for The Entrepreneur's Source and Advicoach self-employment and business coaching franchise organizations.  Prior to becoming a franchisee almost 5 years ago, Susan worked for 20+ years with Fortune 500, Growth and Start-Up companies as a Senior Human Resources professional, coaching executives in all things that had to do with the development and success of their people. Susan has also coached thousands of employees to set career goals and identify long term career plans.  Some of the best known companies Susan has worked for include Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo Bank, Pacific Gas & Electric, Genentech, Adaptec and Logitech.  Susan has a BA from the University of California, Berkeley.