ZorCast

On this episode of ZorCast, we're joined by Geoff Seiber, CEO of FranFund. Mr. Seiber will be helping us take a deeper look into the many funding products offered by FranFund, and what the funding climate of the franchise industry today is. He'll offer inside tips and tricks for people looking to fund a new business venture, as well as share some insights you can only get from an industry professional. You won't want to miss this show! About Our Guest Mr. Seiber’s extensive experience within the franchise community led to his contention that the franchise industry was lacking a financial partner that truly understood the funding needs of franchisors and their franchisees. This was the genesis of FranFund, which was formed in 2006. Mr. Seiber’s prior franchise experience includes co-founding FranChoice, a franchise consultation service for prospective franchisees, in 1999. Before that he served as Regional Director for Great Clips, Inc. where he assisted franchisees with critical functions in real estate, store construction, recruiting, operations, marketing and financing. Mr. Seiber began his franchise career with Domino's Pizza Inc. at the height of the company's expansion in 1981. By 1985, he was responsible for the system operations, growth and performance of over 200 Domino's Pizza corporate and franchise units in the Midwest. Mr. Seiber now serves on several corporate and advisory boards in the franchise industry.  He and his wife Sherri live in Fort Worth, TX.

This week we're joined by Madeline Ross, founder and CEO of SuperSlow Zone. Madeline will be taking us inside the unique wellness and exercise franchise, including a snapshot of the services they offer and why their unique methods have meant success for so many. She'll also talk about the types of people this franchise attracts, and what the ideal franchise owner looks like at SuperSlow Zone. About Our Guest Madeline Ross, founder and CEO of SuperSlow Zone for 10 years, is a unique wellness and exercise franchise in the USA, Turkey and Colombia. Feature articles about SSZ has been in Time, New York Times, Vogue, Cosmopolitan, Men’s Health, NBC, CNN, and others. SuperSlow Zone’s core services include a 20 minute, two times a week personal strength training exercise program, healthy eating, and weight loss systems. Positioned as a professional premier personal wellness service, clients achieve maximum results in minimum time. SuperSlow Zone’s competitive advantage is grounded in committed and professional staff and global franchise owners, years of research and continuous improvements driven by our clients. 68% of clients stay 3 to 10 years, 71% of new clients are from referrals and of referrals, 21% are from physicians. Clients come, stay and refer because it works. Madeline is also President of SuperSlow Zone Institute, our the continuing education division. Accredited by the prestigious International Association For Continuing Education and Training [IACET.org], it also accredits the American Physical Therapy Association, National Institute of Health, Centers for Disease Control and, Duke University Medical Center, GE Healthcare, etc. SSZ achieved and maintains this accreditation to ensure the highest standards of operations, service and care for its clients.

Join us for an episode of ZorCast where we'll be talking to three member of the International Franchise Association (IFA) about their exciting new initiative, the Franchise Action Network (FAN). FAN is a new program from the IFA helping to combat the current legislative and regulatory threats facing the franchise industry. You'll hear all about the network, learn about how and why you should get involved, and more. About Out Guests Erica Farage, Senior Director of Political Affairs & Grassroots Advocacy, manages IFA’s PAC and directs their grassroots strategy. Chris Krueger, Director of Grassroots Advocacy, manages IFA’s grassroots network, the Franchise Action Network (FAN). Riley Titus, Coordinator of Government Relations & Public Policy, supports the state and grassroots efforts of IFA.

Joining us on this week's episode of ZorCast is Karen Powell, CEO & Founder of Decor & You, Inc. Karen is a passionate businesswoman, and member of the International Franchise Association's Women's Franchise Committee, the Entrepreneurial Women's Network, the National Association of Women Business Owners and many more professional associations that center around women, franchising, and decor. Karen uses the proven Kolbe assessment program to identify the way that people take action, so that she can use the results to create rite-fit teams inside her organization. Karen will discuss this method and how she uses it to ensure that each member of her team is working to their capacity, and leaves work each day feeling energized and excited, not drained and disheartened. About Our Guest Few understand the significance of the phrase “If it’s not on the calendar, it doesn’t get done!” better than Karen Powell, CEO of the national interior decorating franchise, Decor&You. Karen is part of a team of women who launched the business from the ground up in 1998.  Karen views Decor&You as the ideal opportunity for businesspeople with extraordinary spirit who want to be their own boss and can find the courage to be master of their own success. Today, Decor&You is composed of 98 percent women franchisees who work hard to balance their time among the demands of career, family, health and hobbies. She cautions that it’s not easy to run your own business profitably, particularly a home-based business, while balancing competing interests. Yet she and many of the 30 franchisees who make up Decor&You will attest that when it’s done right, it’s profoundly rewarding.

This week we're joined by Stan Friedman, veteran franchising executive and advocate for diversity in the industry. Stan will talk about the steps taken by the International Franchise Association to diversify the industry, as well as what he has done personally to benefit this cause. We'll also talk about the IFA's Pro Athlete Franchise Initiative (PAFI), and some of the other ways that the franchise industry has become more diversified than ever before. About Our Guest A twenty five year franchising veteran, Stan Friedman has held executive positions at several franchise systems, including Blimpie, WSI, Wing Zone and Tutor Doctor. Currently, Stan is President of FRM Solutions, providing out of the box, “franchise-centric,” relationship management software to franchisors. Stan is a CFE and board member of the Southeast Franchise Forum. He is also the co-founder of IFA’s Pro Athlete Franchise Initiative, (PAFI) and has chaired its Advisory Board, since inception. PAFI works with twilight year pro athletes, helping them transition from the court or field, to the worlds of business and franchising. In 2011, Stan received the IFA’s Ronald E. Harrison Award for his ongoing work in diversity. Stan has been a frequent contributor to Franchising World Magazine and a speaker at franchise industry events nationwide.