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On this week's episode, Stacey talks to our biggest awards winner from 2025 and judge for the 2026 Disruptive Franchise Awards, Katie Bullon.

Katie is franchisor of Activ Marketing Group and a shining light in the franchise world. She champions franchising from Excel London to the muddy fields of Ideas Fest whilst running one of the top 100 franchises in the UK.

Listen to her story and how she made the change from franchisee to franchisor after a complicated exit from her corporate career.

Key Takeaways:

• Activ Marketing Franchise provides a comprehensive support system for franchisees.
• Katie Bullon's journey from franchisee to franchisor showcases resilience and adaptability.
• The importance of fun in business can enhance brand identity and customer engagement.
• Franchising offers a viable path for self-employment and business ownership.
• There is significant potential for growth in the UK franchise industry.
• Innovative franchise models can cater to diverse demographics and skill sets.
• Education about franchising is crucial for aspiring entrepreneurs.
• Franchising is not just about location; it's about building a brand and community.
• The balance between fun and structure is essential for a successful franchise.
• Katie's vision includes promoting franchising in schools to inspire future entrepreneurs.

Contact Katie:

• Website: https://www.themarketingagencyfranchise.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/activmarketingfranchise/

Keywords: 

franchising, marketing, business growth, franchisee, franchisor, innovation, entrepreneurship, industry champion, awards, self-employment

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A Thank You To Our Sponsors:

Our headline sponsor, Bookwhen makes event booking beautifully simple.

Bookwhen is a powerful, intuitive booking system that helps businesses grow by taking the hassle out of scheduling. From classes and appointments to workshops and franchise-run events, we support thousands of organisers across the UK and beyond saving time, reducing admin, and delivering a seamless experience for their customers.
Whether you're running your first event or scaling a nationwide franchise, Bookwhen gives you everything you need to manage bookings in one place. 

Our exclusive podcast sponsor, Make Your Mark Podcast Agency are passionate about helping franchise brands and awards bodies alike amplify their visibility, build deeper connections, and stay ahead of the curve—and podcasting is a game-changing tool to do just that.

This partnership is about backing a movement we both believe in—and sparking a conversation that franchisors and event organisers can’t afford to ignore.

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