.png)
The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast
Welcome to "The Franchise Leaders Forum," the ultimate podcast for entrepreneurs navigating the intricate world of franchising, brought to you by industry veterans Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn. This podcast is your go-to resource for franchise leadership insights, practical strategies to build and scale your franchise, and firsthand experiences from those who live and breathe franchising every day.
Leading the conversation is Tracy Panase, the dynamic force behind the Just Between Friends Franchise System. Tracy, who previously excelled as a top franchisee, took over the leadership reins in December 2022. Under her guidance, the brand is reaching new heights, emphasizing a strong culture, supporting franchisees, and ensuring families across the country can say “YES” to everything their kiddos need and want. Her fresh perspective and unwavering commitment to excellence make her a formidable voice in the franchising community.
By her side is Shannon Wilburn, the visionary co-founder of Just Between Friends. Starting from a simple idea in her living room in 1997, Shannon grew the company into a thriving network of over 150 locations. Her decision to pass the leadership to Tracy has infused the company with new energy and direction, and together, they bring a wealth of knowledge and passion to the podcast.
In "The Franchise Leaders Forum," Tracy and Shannon dive deep into the good, the bad, and sometimes the ugly aspects of franchising. Each episode features candid discussions, expert interviews, and real-life stories from successful franchise leaders who have faced and overcome challenges. Listeners will gain valuable insights into effective leadership, growth strategies, and the nuances of franchise operations.
Whether you're a franchisor, franchisee, or aspiring to enter the franchising world, this podcast addresses the pain points and challenges you face. From understanding franchise dynamics to learning how to support and grow your franchisees, Tracy and Shannon provide actionable advice and inspiration.
Tune in to learn from the experiences of others, gain new perspectives, and equip yourself with the tools to navigate your franchising journey with confidence.
Join us on "The Franchise Leaders Forum" and become part of a community dedicated to leadership, growth, and success in franchising.
This podcast will provide answers to questions and topics like:
- Tips for Franchisees, Franchisors and vendor partners
- How to scale a franchise business
- Why is leadership important in franchising?
- How do I grow my franchise business?
- What are the trends in franchising?
- What is the challenge of franchising?
- How do I get involved in a franchise business?
- Franchise success stories
- Franchise marketing strategies
The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast
Paul Blavin's Approach to Franchise Growth & Impact w/ Love, Leadership & Legacy
How can the intersection of franchise growth, impact and love create a powerful force for good?
Today’s guest, Paul Blavin, is sharing his journey from a conventional money-minded career into a mission-driven path focused on love, service and his venture into the franchising space. Paul shares his realization that business success is not just about money but about the character and passion of the people at the helm. Because at the end of the day it’s the grit, heart and a servant mindset who truly wins the day.
Paul also shares about his work with the Blavin Scholars where he helps change the lives of youth who’ve aged out of the foster care system, and then dives into Beloved Brands where his goal is to break down barriers to franchising and have business leaders who are not defined by their bank account but by their quest to make a difference.
Paul Blavin is a serial social venture entrepreneur. Most recently, he is the co-founder and Vice Chairman of Mercy BioAnalytics. He began his career in 1986 as an investment banker with Citibank and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He then served as the President of First Mercury Financial Corporation, a publicly traded insurance company. He also co-founded and managed a private investment partnership – PWB Value Partners, L.P. – which began in 1995 with three investors and $3.2 million under management. Over 14 years, the business grew to more than 80 investors and approximately $2.0 billion, consistently outperforming the S&P 500 Index, net of all fees and expenses.
Paul’s primary philanthropic focus is youth life transformation for those who need it the most and are least able to help themselves. Paul and Amy, his wife of 32+ years, have immersed themselves in the following programs: Blavin Scholars; Transformational Prison Project; Freehab; Thrive Scholars; Anti-Recidivism Coalition; and Mully Children’s Family.
So, if you are ready to discover how Paul is changing lives one franchise at a time, fostering a legacy of love, support and service and answering the question of what happens when love becomes the cornerstone of driving impact and success then this episode is for you!
Connect with Paul
Text at - (480 - 540 - 5566)
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-blavin-18833814/
Website - https://belovedbrands.com/
Episode Highlights:
- Paul Blavin's experience and philosophy
- Paul’s belief that character, dedication and service are key traits for successful entrepreneurs
- Paul’s personal turning point 16 years ago
- The inception of Blavin Scholars to support youth from foster care
- Paul’s entry into franchising
- The Beloved Brands concept
- Overview of the Beloved Brands portfolio of brands
- Long term goals for Beloved Brands
- The importance of character and perseverance fo
Connect with Tracy
Personal LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-panase/
JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale
JBF Franchise System - https://jbfsalefranchise.com/
Email: podcast@jbfsale.com
Connect with Shannon
Personal LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shannonwilburn/
JBF LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/jbfsale