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Escape and Empower Podcast | Buy Your First Franchise
Learn everything you need to know about buying your first franchise.
If you are ready to escape the corporate grind and empower your future with franchise ownership, join the top 2 franchise consultants in the USA on the Escape and Empower Podcast.
Join franchise experts Pete Gilfillan and Dave Greenberg on The Escape and Empower Podcast, your definitive guide to successfully transitioning from corporate employee to thriving franchise owner. Each episode provides honest, actionable insights tailored specifically for busy executives eager to achieve financial stability, build lasting wealth, and gain control over their destiny.
Whether you're exploring franchise ownership for the first time or ready to take the next step toward entrepreneurship, Pete and Dave offer straightforward, no-fluff discussions covering essential topics such as:
- Navigating the franchise buying process step-by-step
- Overcoming common fears and barriers
- Strategies for building wealth through franchising
- Insider advice on choosing the right franchise for your lifestyle
- Real stories and practical wisdom from successful franchisees
- Detailed explanations of franchise disclosure documents (FDD)
- Guidance on financing options and understanding investment costs
- Steps to confidently evaluate franchise opportunities
Empower your entrepreneurial journey today—subscribe and begin building your path to financial freedom and personal fulfillment.
Hosted by franchise industry leaders Pete Gilfillan (HireYourself.com) and Dave Greenberg (EmpoweredFranchisee.com).
Escape and Empower Podcast | Buy Your First Franchise
“Don’t Be Ashamed of Starting Small” — Building a Strong Foundation for Growth
In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave walk through the real-world roadmap for first-time franchise owners—especially those leaving behind long, successful corporate careers. They share lessons from their own transitions, showing how leadership, budgeting, team-building, and decision-making translate directly into business ownership success.
Whether you're ex-military, ex-corporate, or just done with being a number, this episode delivers clarity and confidence. It's not about starting from scratch—it’s about starting from strength. If you’ve led people, managed complexity, and built careers for others, this episode proves: you already have what it takes.
In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss:
- Your Corporate Experience Is Your Competitive Edge
From managing teams to handling P&Ls—those boardroom skills transfer directly to business ownership. - Mentorship Makes the Difference
Franchising isn’t a solo journey. Tap into systems, fellow franchisees, and personal mentors to stay on track and move faster. - Start Small, Build Strong
Success isn’t about launching big—it’s about building a stable base, growing intentionally, and scaling smart. - Involve Your Family From Day One
Support at home fuels success in business. Pete shares how he gave his kids titles—and taught them the entrepreneurial mindset early. - Fit is Everything
Not every franchise is right for you. Pete and Dave explain how they help executives find a business model that matches lifestyle, skills, and goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Corporate leadership skills are highly transferable to franchise ownership
- Franchising offers built-in mentorship and support
- Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small—it’s a smart path to scale
- Family support transforms the journey into a team mission
- Finding the right franchise fit is essential to long-term success
“You have a wonderful opportunity to take all that experience from the corporate world and finally build something for you. Don't sell yourself short—you’ve already got the skills. Now’s the time to use them.” — Pete Gilfillan
CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN
Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/
CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG
Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/