From Operator to Owner: Mike DeJong's Formula for Business Freedom

From Operator to Owner: Mike DeJong's Formula for Business Freedom

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with entrepreneur, franchise owner, author, and business strategist Mike DeJong. Mike shares how a vacation gone wrong became the catalyst for a complete transformation in how he led his businesses. After realizing that everything depended on him, he began building systems, processes, and teams that allowed his companies to grow without sacrificing his freedom. Today, he helps franchisees and business owners transition from overwhelmed operators into true business owners. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why many entrepreneurs accidentally become the bottleneck in their businesses ✔️ How to build systems that create freedom and scalability ✔️ The difference between operators and owners ✔️ Mike's three business archetypes: Hunters, Architects, and GSDs ✔️ How to identify the right people for your team ✔️ Why fear often disguises itself as stress ✔️ Practical ways to delegate and document processes without becoming overwhelmed ✔️ How failure can become your greatest teacher If you've ever felt trapped by your business instead of empowered by it, this conversation offers practical strategies to help you regain control and create lasting freedom. #TheFranchiseWoman #MikeDeJong #Franchising #Leadership #BusinessGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SystemsAndProcesses #BusinessOwner #FranchiseSuccess #SmallBusiness

Everyone Is an Onion: Melissa Davis on Curiosity, Leadership & Franchise Success

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Melissa Davis, Vice President of Franchising for Express Employment International. Melissa shares her unexpected journey from aspiring journalist to franchise development leader, revealing how curiosity, emotional intelligence, and a genuine love for people have shaped her career. Along the way, she discusses what makes successful franchise owners, the future of the staffing industry, and why leadership is about helping others achieve their goals. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ Why curiosity is one of the most valuable leadership skills ✔️ How great franchise development is built on relationships, not transactions ✔️ The difference between being a top performer and leading a high-performing team ✔️ What Express Employment looks for in franchise owners ✔️ Why emotional intelligence matters more than ever in business ✔️ The future of staffing, skilled trades, and AI in the workforce ✔️ How asking better questions leads to better decisions Melissa's insight that "everyone is an onion" becomes a powerful theme throughout this conversation, reminding us that every person has a story worth understanding. #TheFranchiseWoman #MelissaDavis #ExpressEmploymentInternational #Franchising #Leadership #EmotionalIntelligence #WomenInBusiness #FranchiseOwnership #Entrepreneurship #StaffingIndustry

From DIY Childhood Lessons to Franchise Success with Kim Collier

What happens when a childhood built on responsibility, resilience, and "figuring it out" turns into a thriving franchise brand focused on early childhood education? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Kim Collier, Chief Development Officer of Ducklings Early Learning Center, to discuss how empowering children, embracing messes, and fostering independence can shape stronger families, communities, and businesses. Kim shares the incredible story behind Ducklings Early Learning Center — from her mother launching the first center in 1994 after a local childcare program closed, to franchising the concept and growing toward 22 locations. She opens up about leadership, mindset, working alongside family, and balancing heart-centered purpose with business profitability. This episode explores: * Why children learn best through sensory play and exploration * The long-term impact of overprotective parenting * Building confidence by teaching responsibility early * How purpose-driven franchise brands can still prioritize profitability * What Ducklings looks for in ideal franchise owners * The importance of honesty, trust, and family dynamics in leadership * Creating meaningful community connections through childcare Kim's passion for early childhood education and franchise leadership shines throughout this heartfelt and inspiring conversation. Subscribe for more conversations where passion and purpose collide, profits are made, and relationships are forged. #FranchiseWoman #Franchising #WomenInBusiness #EarlyChildhoodEducation #Leadership #Entrepreneurship #Ducklings #FranchiseLeadership #PurposeDrivenBusiness

How Jodi Elliot Built Purpose-Driven Franchises & Gave Back in Extraordinary Ways

What if success wasn't just about profit—but about purpose? This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Jodi Elliot shares an incredible journey of building businesses rooted in impact, integrity, and service. From donating a kidney to a complete stranger to building and scaling two franchise businesses—Mosquito Joe and Wonderly Lights—Jodi exemplifies what it means to lead with purpose. Her philosophy is simple: if you're in a position to help, you should. In this episode, we explore: ✔️ How purpose-driven leadership creates stronger teams and better results ✔️ The power of aligning business decisions with personal integrity ✔️ Building a loyal, engaged workforce through shared ownership and trust ✔️ Why giving back can fuel both personal fulfillment and business success ✔️ Opportunities for women in home services and franchising With 27+ years in corporate finance and operations, Jodi now blends business acumen with compassion—proving that success and impact can go hand in hand. EndKidneyDeathsAct.org [https://www.endkidneydeathsact.org/] Becoming a Living Donor | National Kidney Foundation [https://www.kidney.org/kidney-topics/becoming-living-donor] Volunteer in Panama: Empower Communities with Give and Surf [https://giveandsurf.org/] 🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share. #JodiElliot #MosquitoJoe #WonderlyLights #FranchiseLeadership #WomenInFranchising #TheFranchiseWoman #ZorakleProfiles

From Employee to Franchise Owner: Sofia Bongard's Journey to Freedom & Purpose

What does it really take to go from employee to business owner—and build a life around freedom, purpose, and passion? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and co-host Tracy Kawa sit down with Sofia Bongard, franchise owner of Bookskeeping San Diego East, to explore her inspiring journey from Mexico City to entrepreneurship in the U.S. Sofia shares how she went from being the very first employee of her company to becoming a successful franchise owner—and why she initially said no to the opportunity before realizing it was exactly what she needed. In this conversation, you'll discover: ✔️ The mindset shift from employee to entrepreneur ✔️ Why franchising can be the perfect fit for highly skilled professionals ✔️ How freedom and discipline coexist in business ownership ✔️ The power of mentorship and unconditional support ✔️ Why passion—not money—is Sofia's driving force ✔️ A refreshing perspective on success, failure, and "just doing it" Sofia's story is honest, relatable, and filled with real-world insights for anyone considering business ownership—especially women looking for flexibility, autonomy, and purpose. 🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, watch, download, and share. #TheFranchiseWoman #FranchiseOwnership #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #ZorakleProfiles #SmallBusiness #WorkLifeBalance #FranchiseLife