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

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

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