What Most Franchise Founders Get Wrong (& What Cathy Deano Did Instead) Artwork

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

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The Franchise Leaders Forum Podcast

What Most Franchise Founders Get Wrong (& What Cathy Deano Did Instead)

July 23, 2025 • Franchise Consultant and Franchise Coach - Tracy Panase and Shannon Wilburn • Episode 32

What does it take to turn a simple idea born in a barn into a nationally recognized franchise empire?

Cathy Deano, the visionary behind Painting with a Twist and co-founder of Twist Brands, takes us back to post-Katrina Louisiana, where a desire to bring joy to her community led to a business that now spans 400+ locations. But her journey wasn’t linear and it definitely wasn’t typical!

From scrappy startup beginnings to rapid-fire franchise growth (think 40 units in under a year), Cathy shares how she navigated the crazy ride of expansion, recession and reinvention, all while staying rooted in her values.

In this episode, Cathy opens up about the common mistakes most new franchise founders make and the mindset shifts that helped her avoid (and survive) the ones she made herself. She also reveals how prioritizing people over profits, leading with empathy and saying “I don’t know” when needed have all become strengths, not setbacks.

We also dig into why mentorship, especially throughout the IFA, changed her trajectory, the surprising upside of giving back (and how it helped grow the brand), and what it’s really like to go from founder to multi-brand CEO.

Cathy Deano is a certified franchise executive, a Forbes 50 over 50 honoree and the visionary behind Painting with a Twist, the largest Paint and Sip brand in the country. She’s also the co-founder of Twist Brands and represents over 400 franchises nationwide.

Whether you’re launching, scaling, or just trying to lead with more intention, this episode is a masterclass in doing it the right way!

Connect with Cathy

Website: https://www.paintingwithatwist.com/

Resources

Scott Greenberg - Episode 21 Elevating Employee Experiences for Franchise Growth

Dustin Hansen - Episode 14 How Radical Transparency Turned a Franchise Around

Episode Highlights: