The Franchise Woman

Join us for a powerful conversation with Dawn Kane, CEO of Hot Dish Advertising, as she shares her 30+ year journey from the skyscrapers of Manhattan to the heart of franchise marketing. What you’ll learn: * What franchisors should know before choosing a vendor or agency * How due diligence and culture fit make or break a marketing partnership * Why “agency” isn’t just a title—it’s a responsibility * The role of B2E marketing in employee recruitment for franchisees * How mentorship and connection fuel business (and personal) growth With warmth, wit, and wisdom, Dawn reflects on the lessons she’s learned—and how she’s helping brands grow stronger through strategy, integrity, and relationships. #FranchiseMarketing #HotDishAdvertising #FranchiseGrowth #WomenInFranchising #AgencyLeadership #TheFranchiseWomanPodcast

🎙️ On this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, we welcome Toni Calderone, Founder and CEO of PastaNito, a fast-casual concept redefining the pasta experience. Toni’s journey is packed with resilience, reinvention, and a whole lot of heart. Raised in a multi-generational Sicilian-American family steeped in hospitality, Toni was born into the restaurant business. But her path was anything but conventional. After launching over a dozen restaurant concepts, navigating a public divorce, and mentoring other food entrepreneurs through her own incubator, she’s now building PastaNito into a scalable franchise that brings fresh pasta to the fast lane. You’ll hear: * How a failed high school business plan became fuel for future success * Why “disruption” is her mission * What her grandmother told her that changed everything * How she built PastaNito for simplicity, efficiency, and community connection * The importance of women owning their success and getting their “flowers” Toni is bold, brilliant, and brutally honest. This episode is for anyone who’s ever questioned if they could pull off the impossible. 🔗 Learn more about PastaNito: https://www.ownapastanito.com [https://www.ownapastanito.com] 📩 Reach Toni: toni@pastanito.com [toni@pastanito.com] 🔔 Like, comment & subscribe for more inspiring interviews! #PastaNito #FranchisePodcast #WomenEntrepreneurs #ToniCalderone #DisruptiveLeadership #FranchiseWoman

From the treatment room to the boardroom—this week’s guest Kristi Levig shares her journey from waxing specialist to multi-unit Waxing the City franchise owner. You’ll hear: ✔️ How she transitioned from manager to owner ✔️ What it’s like to buy an existing studio vs. open one from scratch ✔️ The power of mentorship and building future franchisees ✔️ Why franchise support gave her the confidence to keep growing ✔️ How relationships—not money—drive her success Kristi’s story is packed with optimism, grit, and inspiration for any woman considering entrepreneurship. 🎧 Listen now and get ready to be inspired! #FranchiseLife #WomenInFranchising #FranchiseWomanPodcast #WaxingTheCity #FranchiseLeadership #MentorshipMatters

This week, we sit down with Loana Perez, founder and CEO of TeaCupFuls, to talk about how she turned a troubled past into a purpose-driven brand. 🧋 In this powerful episode: * How Loana went from sleeping in her car to selling a 7-figure business * Why she created TeaCupFuls as a safe space for teens * What it means to franchise with heart, not just hustle * The lessons she’s learning as a franchisor and leader * Why her legacy matters more than anything Loana is real, raw, and ridiculously inspiring. #FranchiseLife #TeaCupFuls #FranchiseWomanPodcast #WomenInBusiness #FranchiseLeadership #BobaBusiness #LegacyMinded

From condo property management to poolside entrepreneur, Carrie Waltman is one of only a handful of female franchise owners in the America’s Swimming Pool Company system—and her story is all about resilience, relationships, and the power of heart-led leadership. 💡 In this episode: * How she grew ASP Knoxville from $300K to $1.4M in just two years * Why her “we’ll figure it out” mindset is her superpower * How being a mama to her team makes her a better boss * Why she believes franchising offers peace of mind AND growth * The balance she’s built between work, life, and lake days 📣 Listen, share, and get inspired! #FranchiseLeadership #WomenInFranchising #FranchiseWomanPodcast #PoolBusiness #MomBoss #AuthorityBrands #CleanWaterMatters