Franchise Frontier

The Entrepreneur Reality Check You Need To Hear.

What if the biggest lie about business ownership… is that it's passive? In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave sits down with Trevor Rapoli, owner of Franchise Filming, to unpack the real highs, lows, risks, and rewards of building a business. From filming weddings as a teenager to building a storytelling company in the franchise space, Trevor shares a brutally honest look at entrepreneurship, self-doubt, leadership, hiring, relationships, and the mindset it takes to survive in business ownership. They dive into: * Why business ownership is harder than people think * How Trevor turned insecurity into fuel * The lessons learned from early failures and pricing mistakes * Why relationships drive long-term success * The importance of hiring talented people early This episode is packed with real talk for aspiring entrepreneurs and business owners trying to build something meaningful.

Most business owners think they need more leads… but what if the real answer is your network?

In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave sits down with Gina Harreld, Senior Director of Learning and Business Growth at BNI, to break down how networking—when done right—can become your most powerful growth engine. From building a $10B brand on word-of-mouth to helping entrepreneurs scale globally, Gina shares how BNI transforms simple connections into consistent revenue, trusted relationships, and long-term business success.

Inside A Fast-Growing Lawn Care Franchise

You think lawn care is simple… until you actually run the business. In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave sits down with Zac Lowder, owner of Heroes Lawn Care of The Woodlands, to break down what it really takes to build a service-based business from the ground up. From scaling a startup to $300M in revenue to launching a franchise in his own community, Zac shares the real lessons behind growth, hiring, leadership, and building a customer base that actually lasts. They dive into: * Why recurring revenue is powerful—but slow to build * The reality of hiring the right General Manager * How to balance a full-time job while owning a business * The importance of data-driven decisions * Why communication and resilience are critical traits If you're considering business ownership or already in the trenches, this episode gives you a raw, honest look at what it takes to succeed.

Business is not passive… Especially if you Want to Win.

Is business ownership really passive… or is that just what people want to believe? In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave sits down with JT and Michelle Thompson,owners of Stand Strong Fencing in San Antonio to break down the real truth behind building and scaling multiple businesses. From military service to real estate, retail, and now home services, JT and Michelle share the lessons they've learned about leadership, hiring, growth, and what it actually takes to succeed. They dive into: * Why "passive business" is a myth * The realities of hiring and leading people * How to scale multiple businesses the right way * Why grit matters more than talent * The power of building in your local community If you're considering business ownership or already in the game, this episode will challenge your mindset and give you a clearer picture of what success really demands.

Why Doing 'The Right Thing' Wins in Business

What happens when you decide to reinvent yourself… instead of slowing down? In this episode of the Franchise Frontier Podcast, Dave sits down with Cheryl Alker, owner of Blingle Premier Lighting of Fort Myers, Florida, to unpack her journey from lifelong entrepreneur to building a thriving home services business later in life. Cheryl shares what it really takes to start and grow a business from early struggles and first wins to scaling through strategic partnerships, customer experience, and community impact. This episode is packed with real-world insight on: * Building trust in a "trust recession" * Creating standout customer experiences * Scaling through relationships and reputation * Navigating seasonality and growth challenges If you're thinking about business ownership or already in it his is a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and doing things the right way.