Everyday Extraordinary: How Maggie Harlow Used Fear as Fuel to Build Franchise Freedom

Everyday Extraordinary: How Maggie Harlow Used Fear as Fuel to Build Franchise Freedom

Everyday Extraordinary: How Maggie Harlow Used Fear as Fuel to Build Franchise FreedomWhat if fear is not a sign that you should stop—but fuel that can push you toward the life you are meant to build?In this episode of the Freedom Friday: Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, Patrice Miles sits down with Maggie Harlow, a 23-year franchise business owner, professional speaker, and author of Everyday Extraordinary: How Giving Yourself Permission Changes Everything.Maggie’s entrepreneurial journey began after spending 12 years working in her family’s automotive business. When the company was sold, she quickly discovered that she did not want to remain an employee. She wanted the opportunity to build something of her own.Maggie and her husband explored several franchise opportunities before opening Signarama Downtown in Louisville, Kentucky. Although Maggie had years of business experience, starting over in a completely different industry was terrifying. Instead of allowing that fear to stop her, she used it as fuel.She followed the franchise system, committed herself to cold-calling for two hours a day, and personally went out to find her first customers. That discipline helped her build a business that has now operated successfully for more than 23 years.Today, Maggie has created a strong management team that gives her the freedom to step away from the daily operations of the business, travel, pursue professional speaking, and become an author.Her book, Everyday Extraordinary: How Giving Yourself Permission Changes Everything, encourages readers to stop waiting for someone else’s approval and begin giving themselves permission to pursue the opportunities, changes, and experiences they truly want.In this episode, Maggie and Patrice discuss:• Why Maggie chose franchising instead of starting a business alone• How she used fear as fuel during her first years in business• Why new franchise owners should follow the proven system• The financial and emotional realities of entrepreneurship• Why business owners need a community of people who understand the journey• How building a strong team can create greater freedom• Why everyone is the leader of their own life• How other people’s opinions can keep us from pursuing our goals• Why not knowing what you are doing is often the first step toward learning• How the systems in your life create the results you experience• Why giving yourself a “permission slip” can change everythingMaggie reminds us that business ownership is not only about creating income. It can also provide the freedom and space to explore new dreams.Whether you are considering buying a franchise, starting a business, writing a book, changing careers, or pursuing something completely new, this conversation will inspire you to stop waiting for permission.As Maggie says, you are the captain of your ship—and you get to decide where it goes.Get Maggie Harlow’s BookEveryday Extraordinary: How Giving Yourself Permission Changes Everything is available on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats.https://a.co/d/06Ijb4ceThe book offers short, relatable lessons about leadership, mindset, decision-making, overcoming setbacks, and finding extraordinary moments—even during difficult seasons of life.Connect With Maggie HarlowProfessional speaking and book information:https://www.maggieharlow.comSignarama Downtown:https://www.signaramadowntown.comConnect With Patrice MilesAre you ready to explore what business ownership could look like in your life?Whether you are interested in starting a business, buying an existing company, or investing in a franchise, Patrice provides complimentary coaching, tools, and resources to help you explore your options.Learn more:https://www.journeytobusinessownership.comConnect with Patrice on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Until next time, keep chasing purpose—not just a paycheck.

You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business Ownership

You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business OwnershipIn this episode of Freedom Friday at the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, I sit down with Joe Hulsey, owner of Best in Show Branded Products, to talk about his journey from banking to entrepreneurship — and the mindset shift that got him there.Joe was working as a lender at Fifth Third Bank when the 2008 financial crisis hit and he was laid off. After taking a year to figure out his next move, he turned a photography hobby into a full-time business and ran it successfully for 16 years. Then an opportunity came along to buy an existing, profitable promotional products company — and Joe took the leap, eventually rebranding it into Best in Show Branded Products.We cover:✅ Why Joe chose to buy an existing business instead of starting from scratch✅ How he evaluated whether client relationships would transfer to a new owner✅ Financing the purchase through a traditional bank loan and line of credit✅ Why "get a banker, not just a bank" is some of the best advice for business owners✅ How entrepreneurship gave him the flexibility to be present for his kids✅ His advice for anyone waiting for the "perfect time" to make the leap: don't wait for all the stars to align — jump in at 70% and figure out the rest along the way✅ Why memorable, useful promotional gifts keep your business top of mind with clientsWhether you're considering starting a business, buying one, or exploring franchises, Joe's story is proof that you don't need everything figured out to make the leap.Connect with Joe Hulsey / Best in Show Branded Products:🌐 Website: https//:www.bestinshowbranded.com📧 Email: joe@bestinshowbranded.com📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BestInShowBranded📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bestinshowbranded/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/best-in-show-branded-products/posts/?feedView=allReady to explore what business ownership could look like in your life? My coaching is completely free!📅 Schedule a call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/ You'll Never Feel 100% Ready — Joe Hulsey on Taking the Leap Into Business Ownership

Is Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before Selling

Is Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before SellingIn this episode of Freedom Friday on the Journey to Business Ownership podcast, Patrice Miles sits down with Phil Eleson, franchise owner of Murphy Business Sales and Director of Corporate Brokerage Services, to talk about one of the biggest questions business owners should be asking long before they are ready to exit:Is your business actually sellable?Phil shares what makes buyers interested, what causes them to walk away, and why so many owners misunderstand what their business is truly worth. He also breaks down the importance of clean financials, reducing owner dependence, documenting processes, preparing for due diligence, and understanding what deal structures really look like.Whether you are thinking about selling your business soon or you are years away from an exit, this conversation will help you understand how to build a stronger, cleaner, more valuable business that someone else would actually want to own.In this episode, we discuss:• What makes a business sellable• Why buyers walk away before making an offer• How business valuation really works• The top things owners should do now to prepare for a future sale• Why owner dependence can hurt business value• What buyers want to see in your financials• What happens during due diligence• Common deal structures when selling a business• The emotional side of selling your business• Why preparation is key, even if you never sellConnect with Phil Eleson:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/phileleson-lowermiddlemarketadvisor/Email: p.eleson@murphybusiness.comPrevious Podcast episode: https://youtu.be/ExvOPMKpOLYConnect with Patrice Miles:Website: https://www.journeytobusinessownership.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/If you are ready to explore business ownership, buying a business, starting a business, or investing in a franchise, Patrice provides free coaching, tools, education, and resources to help you explore your options.Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with a business owner who needs to hear this.#FreedomFriday #JourneyToBusinessOwnership #BusinessOwnership #SellYourBusiness #BusinessBroker #MurphyBusinessSales #BusinessValuation #Entrepreneurship #ExitStrategy #SmallBusinessOwner #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseOwnershipIs Your Business Actually Sellable? What Owners Need to Know Before Selling

My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a Franchise

My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a FranchiseAre you exploring franchise ownership but not sure if the numbers really work for you? Or maybe you're already a franchise owner trying to keep more of what you earn? Either way, this episode is packed with the financial education you didn't know you needed!This week on Freedom Friday at the Journey to Business Ownership Podcast, I sit down with John Mollica, Founder of My Franchise CPAs — a CPA firm that specializes exclusively in franchise owners from the very beginning of their journey all the way through operations and growth.In this episode, we cover:- Why you should connect with a franchise CPA before you sign your franchise agreement- How to review your FDD from a financial lens so you truly understand what you're getting into- The difference between affording to buy a franchise vs. affording to operate* it until it's profitable- Common financial mistakes new franchise owners make and how to avoid them- What pro formas, cash flow analysis, and proper capitalization really mean for your success- The truth about franchise financial myths — it's not always a goldmine, but it's not impossible either- How the right CPA helped one client reduce a $500K tax bill to under $100K- Why ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) requires a CPA who actually knows the franchise space- Services My Franchise CPAs offers: bookkeeping, tax strategy, outsourced CFO, and more💡 Whether you're still in discovery mode or already operating, this episode will change how you think about your finances and your future.---Connect with My Franchise CPAs:🌐 Website: https://myfranchisecpas.com/▶️ YouTube/Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@myfranchisecpas---Ready to explore what franchise or business ownership could look like for YOUR life?Let's talk — my coaching is completely FREE!📅 Schedule a Discovery Call: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/---Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs to hear it! You can find us on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple at Journey to Business Ownership.Keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck.🎯My Franchise CPAs: Your Secret Weapon Before, During, and After Buying a Franchise

He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS Story

He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS StoryWhat happens when a serial entrepreneur sells their business, tries the corporate world, and realizes the entrepreneurial bug just won't quit? Seth Pennington found out the hard way — and it led him straight to EOS.Seth, Franchise Business owner with EOS, spent 15 years building and scaling a business from the ground up with his wife, sold it right before COVID, and thought he was ready for something different. But after a short and eye-opening stint at a $70 million company, he knew exactly what he had to do — go back to entrepreneurship, this time with a proven system behind him.In this episode, Seth breaks down the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS), based on the bestselling book Traction by Gino Wickman, and how it helps business owners stop running on chaos and start running with clarity.In this episode we cover:-What EOS is and how it helps businesses gain Vision, Traction, and Health-Why a proven playbook matters more than starting from scratch-What happens when a leader resists letting go of control (and why it tanks the system)-The honest truth about entrepreneurship — it's a lifestyle, not just a career-Book recommendations for anyone thinking about making the leapWhy Seth says the entrepreneurial bug is both a blessing and a curseBooks mentioned:Traction by Gino WickmanThe Entrepreneurial Leap by Gino WickmanConnect with Seth Pennington:🌐 https://www.eosworldwide.com (search Seth Pennington)📧 seth.pennington@eosworldwide.comReady to explore if business ownership could be your next chapter?🗓️ Book a free discovery call with Patrice: https://pmiles.esourcecoach.com/schedule-a-call/🔗 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patricemiles/Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with someone who needs a little inspiration today. We're on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.Keep chasing purpose, not just a paycheck. 💡He Tried Corporate After Selling His Business — The Entrepreneurial Bug Had Other Plans - EOS Story