How Faith, Friendship, and Purpose Led Valencia Hagos to BODYBAR Pilates

How Faith, Friendship, and Purpose Led Valencia Hagos to BODYBAR Pilates

What happens when faith, friendship, and purpose intersect with entrepreneurship? In this heartfelt episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Valencia Hagos, owner of BODYBAR Pilates Shadow Creek, veteran, mother, and first-time business owner. Valencia shares her inspiring journey from military service and federal government work to becoming a successful franchise owner. Along the way, she opens up about navigating profound personal loss, raising a family, leaning on faith, and finding the courage to build a business that centers on wellness, connection, and community. This conversation goes far beyond entrepreneurship. It's about resilience, relationships, purpose, and the importance of making every moment count. In this episode, you'll discover: ✔ How Valencia transitioned from military service to franchise ownership ✔ Why friendship has been one of the most important themes in her life ✔ The role faith played in her entrepreneurial journey ✔ How personal loss reshaped her perspective on time and relationships ✔ Why community is at the heart of her BODYBAR Pilates studio ✔ Lessons learned as a first-time business owner ✔ How she builds a culture of belonging for both members and employees ✔ Why she's pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration One of Valencia's most powerful reminders: "Time is something you never get back. If there's a conversation you need to have, a business decision you want to make, or something you want to do—do it. Tomorrow isn't promised." Whether you're a business owner, franchise leader, parent, or someone navigating life's unexpected challenges, Valencia's story will inspire you to lead with faith, purpose, and compassion. #TheFranchiseWoman #BODYBARPilates #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Franchising #Pilates #VeteranOwnedBusiness #WomenEntrepreneurs #CommunityLeadership #FaithInBusiness

How Haley Haar Turned a Struggling Franchise into a Thriving Business | AlphaGraphics Franchise Owner

What does it take to transform a struggling business into a thriving, respected brand? In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Haley Haar, owner of AlphaGraphics Kansas City, to discuss her remarkable journey of purchasing a franchise with a damaged reputation and rebuilding it into a successful, community-trusted business. Haley shares the challenges she faced as a young female business owner in a traditionally male-dominated industry, the lessons she learned about leadership, and why honesty, transparency, and kindness have become the foundation of her success. You'll discover: ✔ How Haley rebuilt trust with customers and the community ✔ Why saying "yes" to everything can hold your business back ✔ The power of mentorship and business coaching ✔ The difference between being kind and being nice ✔ Leadership lessons for franchisees and entrepreneurs ✔ Common branding mistakes businesses make ✔ How technology is transforming the printing industry ✔ Why determination and resilience are essential for long-term success Whether you're a franchise owner, entrepreneur, business leader, or aspiring business owner, Haley's story offers valuable lessons on perseverance, leadership, and building a business with purpose. #TheFranchiseWoman #Franchising #WomenInBusiness #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #AlphaGraphics #SmallBusiness #BusinessGrowth #WomenEntrepreneurs #FranchiseOwner

From Corporate Success to Purpose-Driven Entrepreneurship | Sabrina Martin

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Sabrina Martin, owner of Gotcha Covered in Walnut Creek, California, and a former corporate healthcare executive who made the bold decision to leave a successful corporate career in pursuit of greater purpose, creativity, and community impact. After years of promotions, leadership roles, and financial success, Sabrina realized that something important was missing. Her journey from corporate executive to franchise owner offers valuable lessons for anyone considering entrepreneurship, franchising, or a career change. In this episode, you'll learn: ✔️ How to recognize when it's time for a career change ✔️ Why fear often prevents people from pursuing entrepreneurship ✔️ The transferable skills corporate professionals bring to business ownership ✔️ How franchising provides a proven roadmap for entrepreneurs ✔️ Why community involvement became a priority for Sabrina ✔️ Current trends in home design and custom window treatments ✔️ The importance of balancing purpose, relationships, and profitability ✔️ Advice for women considering business ownership Whether you're feeling stuck in your current role or exploring entrepreneurship for the first time, Sabrina's story will inspire you to evaluate what truly matters and pursue a path aligned with your values. #TheFranchiseWoman #SabrinaMartin #Entrepreneurship #Franchising #WomenInBusiness #CareerChange #BusinessOwnership #GotYouCovered #Leadership #PurposeDriven

From Independence to Community: Carolyn Williams on Women's Health, Leadership & The Bar Method

In this inspiring episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Carolyn Williams, owner of three Bar Method studios in Vancouver and a passionate advocate for women's health, longevity, and community. Carolyn shares her journey from a successful retail career to franchise ownership, revealing how a single Bar Method class with her mother sparked a lifelong passion for fitness, personal growth, and helping women thrive at every stage of life. Together, they explore: ✔️ Why independence doesn't have to mean doing everything alone ✔️ The power of asking for help and building your village ✔️ How community impacts both physical and mental well-being ✔️ The connection between fitness, longevity, and quality of life ✔️ Lessons learned from entrepreneurship, motherhood, and leadership ✔️ Why women must prioritize their health before they're forced to This heartfelt conversation is packed with wisdom for entrepreneurs, franchise leaders, parents, and anyone seeking a more balanced, fulfilling life. #TheFranchiseWoman #CarolynWilliams #TheBarMethod #WomenInBusiness #FranchiseLeadership #HealthAndWellness #WomenEntrepreneurs #Community #Longevity #FitnessJourney

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