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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
How to Scale Your Franchise Without Burnout w/ Paul Preston
Are you building a franchise and wondering how to scale without sacrificing your values, sanity, or family time?
Want to hear how the co-founder of the world’s largest swim school grew from a single pool to 170 locations and still finds time to coach Little League and be with his family?
Today’s guest, Paul Preston serves as the Co-Founder and President of Aqua-Tots Swim School, where he oversees strategic planning, growth, and franchise development of all Aqua-Tots Swim School openings worldwide.
After the rapid international growth and success of Aqua-Tots Swim School into 165 locations throughout 14 countries, Paul has been fortunate to come alongside leaders in other industries, partnering with multiple brands to create franchise opportunities.
Today, Paul also serves as an owner and partner of KTR Indoor Action Sports Playground and Uncle Bear’s Grill and Tap franchises. He is also the co-founder of The Scuba Shop, a full service PADI Scuba Diving Training Center, and Legacy Adventures, a non-profit focused on connecting fathers with their children in the great outdoors.
In today’s episode, Paul shares the beginnings of Aqua-tots and how what started in a single Arizona pool exploded internationally and not because they set out to make it huge but because people kept calling asking for more!
Paul dives into building the right team, the importance of scaling thoughtfully, and why living on a lean personal budget in the early years can be the real secret to long-term growth. And Paul lets us in on what keeps Aqua-tots culture thriving and spoiler alert its genuine care, clear values and giving grace.
So, whether you are an established franchisor or just starting out, listen in and discover how intentional leadership creates not just successful franchisees but life-long legacies.
Connect with Paul
LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcpreston/
Website - https://www.aqua-tots.com/
Episode Highlights:
- Origins of Aqua-tots swim school
- Unexpected growth and early franchising decisions
- The transition from running a single location to scaling up
- Emphasis on staying humble and relatable as a leader
- The importance of authenti
Franchise Directory - https://www.sba.gov/document/support-sba-franchise-directory
Franchise Registry - https://www.franchiseregistry.com/
Current SBA SOP - https://www.sba.gov/document/sop-50-10-lender-development-company-loan-programs
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
Website - https://shineexecutivecoaching.com/
Email - shannon@shineexecutivecoaching.com