The Franchise Woman

Jenna Law on Brand Growth, Leadership & Scaling Keke's Breakfast Cafe

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jenna Law, Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications at Keke's Breakfast Cafe. Jenna is a powerhouse marketing leader who built Keke's marketing function from the ground up—transforming a beloved regional brand into a scalable, high-growth franchise system. With experience spanning creative agencies, Fortune 500 brands, and restaurant marketing, Jenna brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build a brand that resonates—and scales. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to build a brand from scratch (without losing its authenticity) ✔️ Why "generalists" often make the best leaders ✔️ The secret to turning a brand voice into a brand megaphone ✔️ How to lead through uncertainty and constant change ✔️ Why people-first thinking drives better marketing decisions ✔️ How strong teams are built through complementary strengths Jenna also shares powerful insights on leadership, confidence, and what it means to "bedazzle your own box"—a reminder to embrace your unique strengths rather than trying to fit into someone else's mold. If you're a franchisor, marketer, or leader navigating growth and change, this episode is packed with practical insights you can apply immediately. 🎧 Watch now and discover how to build a brand—and a team—that truly stands out.

Jamie Cecil & Elizabeth Brasch: Scaling Mellow Mushroom Without Losing Its Identity

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jamie Cecil, VP of Franchise Development, and Elizabeth Brasch, EVP of Marketing at Mellow Mushroom—one of the most iconic and unconventional brands in the restaurant franchise space. With over 50 years of history and 160+ locations, Mellow Mushroom has built a brand that thrives on individuality, creativity, and consistency where it matters most. So how do you scale a franchise without becoming cookie-cutter? In this conversation, Jamie and Elizabeth break down what they call "freedom within a framework"—a model that allows each location to be unique while maintaining brand standards in food quality, service, and operations. 🔑 In this episode, you'll learn: * How Mellow Mushroom balances brand consistency with local creativity * Why food quality and core systems remain non-negotiable * The concept of "freedom within a framework" in franchising * How a 50+ year brand stays relevant in a rapidly changing market * The challenges of scaling a brand that was built on individuality * How modern marketing cuts through noise in today's saturated environment You'll also hear how their rebrand strategy helped strengthen recognition while preserving the brand's unique identity—and why not every part of a franchise should be standardized. If you're a franchisor, franchisee, or entrepreneur thinking about growth, brand identity, and long-term scalability, this episode is a must-watch. 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations on franchising, leadership, and growth. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #MellowMushroom #BusinessGrowth #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #RestaurantIndustry #BrandStrategy

Dominique Main: Why Franchise Growth Depends on Hiring Right

In this powerful episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Dominique Main, President of HireNetix and a 20-year franchise industry veteran. Dominique has seen franchising from every angle — franchise development, operations, sales, and executive leadership. But one defining moment changed her trajectory forever: A franchisee's family was devastated by financial stress tied to business struggles — and Dominique realized something profound: Franchisors can't grow if franchisees can't hire. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What "responsible franchising" really means ✔️ The two biggest objections franchise candidates have ✔️ How conversational AI reduces hiring time from 12 days to 4 ✔️ Why traditional applicant tracking systems are failing Gen Z ✔️ How franchisors can support hiring without crossing joint employer lines ✔️ Why mindset, humility, and grit are essential in leadership HireNetix uses conversational AI to screen and schedule job candidates in minutes — saving operators 5–15 hours per week and giving multi-unit franchisees a true competitive edge. If you're a franchisor or multi-unit franchisee concerned about staffing, retention, and scalability, this conversation is a must-watch. #TheFranchiseWoman #ResponsibleFranchising #AIHiring #FranchiseGrowth #WomenInFranchising #Leadership #MultiUnit

Angela Olea & Liberty Bernal: AI, Influencers & the Future of Franchise Marketing

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with powerhouse leaders Angela Olea and Liberty Bernal, the visionary team behind Sweet Influencers. Angela, former founder and CEO of Assisted Living Locators, shares how a chance airplane conversation sparked a bold pivot into AI-powered influencer marketing for franchising. Liberty, President & COO, explains how their partnership blends strategy, operations, and innovation to disrupt local marketing at scale. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ What influencer marketing really means (and what it's not) ✔️ Why franchisees are the most powerful local influencers ✔️ How AI + human strategy create scalable, measurable campaigns ✔️ The biggest misconceptions franchisors have about influencer marketing ✔️ How to match the right influencer to the right audience ✔️ Why evolving as a leader is essential for growth Sweet Influencers is the first AI-powered influencer marketing platform built by franchisors for franchisors — helping brands scale authentic, measurable local marketing through trusted voices. If you're a franchisor looking to drive franchisee revenue and strengthen brand alignment, this episode is a must-watch. #TheFranchiseWoman #Franchising #InfluencerMarketing #AIinMarketing #WomenInBusiness #MarketingStrategy #FranchiseGrowth

From Military Service to Franchise Success: Felice Parker on Why Support Drives Growth

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Felice Parker — U.S. Air Force veteran, entrepreneur, and franchise owner of PostNet in the Philadelphia area. After 27 years in the military and more than 16 years running her own childcare business, Felice transitioned into franchising — bringing with her a systems-driven mindset, servant leadership, and a deep commitment to supporting others. In this powerful conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ Why veterans thrive in franchising ✔️ How military systems translate seamlessly into franchise ownership ✔️ The surprising key to business growth (hint: it's not profit-focused) ✔️ Why "just be nice" is a competitive advantage ✔️ How modeling leadership shapes team culture ✔️ The power of asking for support — not just giving it Felice shares how her people-first mindset fuels word-of-mouth growth and creates loyal customers who feel known, valued, and supported. If you're a veteran exploring business ownership — or a woman considering franchising — this episode is a must-listen. #TheFranchiseWoman #WomenInBusiness #VeteranEntrepreneur #Franchising #PostNet #Leadership #ServantLeadership #CustomerService