The Franchise Woman

06/10/2026

What if the key to building confident future leaders starts with letting kids make messes, solve problems, and “figure it out”?

This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Kim Collier of Ducklings Early Learning Center for an inspiring conversation about childhood development, entrepreneurship, franchising, and purpose-driven leadership.

Kim shares how her upbringing taught her that “everything is figureoutable,” and how those lessons shaped the growth of Ducklings from a single childcare center into a rapidly expanding franchise brand.

The conversation dives into:

✔ Empowering children through independence and sensory learning
✔ Why community matters in childcare
✔ Balancing heart-centered leadership with profitability
✔ Building the right franchise culture and franchisee mindset
✔ Working successfully with family in business

This episode is full of wisdom for entrepreneurs, educators, franchise leaders, and parents alike.

🎧 Watch/listen now and let us know your biggest takeaway!

What happens when a childhood built on responsibility, resilience, ...

06/08/2026

Kim Collier, Chief Development Officer with Ducklings Early Learning Centers, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Discover how purpose-driven leadership and a passion for early childhood education are helping shape the future of franchising. Kim shares insights on growth, leadership, and building a brand that makes a lasting impact on children, families, and communities.

🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share.

06/03/2026

What if the key to business success isn’t just strategy…
…but service?

In our latest episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, we sat down with Jodi Elliot—a multi-unit franchise owner whose approach to business is rooted in something deeper than profit.

Jodi doesn’t just talk about making a difference—she lives it.

➡️ She donated a kidney to a complete stranger
➡️ She built two franchise businesses designed to serve and protect others
➡️ She created a workplace where employees feel like partners—not just staff

What stood out most wasn’t just her success—it was her philosophy:

👉 “If you’re in a position to help, you should.”

In this conversation, we explore:

• How aligning business with personal values drives long-term success
• Why employee engagement starts with trust and shared ownership
• The importance of integrity in decision-making
• How purpose fuels both retention and growth

Jodi’s story is a powerful reminder that success and fulfillment don’t have to be separate—they can reinforce each other.

🎧 Listen now and be inspired to rethink how you lead, grow, and give back.
https://hubs.ly/Q04dsPMB0

What if success wasn’t just about profit—but about purpose?This w...

06/01/2026

Scaling one franchise is a challenge—what about two?

Jodi Elliot, Multi-Unit Franchisee with Mosquito Joe and Wonderly Lights, shares her journey on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Don’t miss this insightful conversation!

🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share.

05/27/2026

What if the key to business ownership isn’t doing everything yourself…
…but knowing what you don’t want to do?

In this week’s episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, we sat down with Sofia Bongard, franchise owner of BooXkeeping San Diego East—and her journey is one many professionals will relate to.

Sofia didn’t start out wanting to be a business owner.
In fact… she said no the first time the opportunity came her way.

But after taking a step back, she realized something powerful:

👉 She loved her craft—but not the marketing
👉 She wanted flexibility—but not burnout
👉 She valued independence—but also support

That’s where franchising became the perfect fit.

In this conversation, Sofia shares:

✔️ Why technical experts often thrive in franchise systems
✔️ How freedom and discipline coexist in entrepreneurship
✔️ The importance of mentorship (and having both “soft” and “tough” voices)
✔️ Why success isn’t about chasing money—but finding purpose
✔️ A refreshing take on failure: “You did it—you just didn’t like the outcome.”

One of the biggest takeaways?

You don’t need to have it all figured out.
You just need to take action.

🎧 Watch the full episode here: https://hubs.ly/Q04dsKVn0

What’s something you’ve said “no” to… that later turned into a “yes”?

What does it really take to go from employee to business owner—and ...

05/25/2026

Sofia Bongard, Franchisee with BooXkeeping, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Don’t miss this powerful and insightful conversation!

🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share.

05/20/2026

What if your biggest strength isn’t specialization…
…but your ability to see the whole picture?

In our latest episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, we sat down with Jenna Law, Senior Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe.

Jenna didn’t just join a brand—she helped amplify it.

As the first marketing hire, she built the function from the ground up, helping drive:
• 200%+ growth in off-premise sales
• Expansion across multiple states
• A brand voice that truly connects

But what stood out most wasn’t just strategy—it was mindset.

👉 You don’t need to fit into someone else’s box.
👉 You need to *“bedazzle your own box.”*

In this conversation, we explore:
✔️ Why generalists often make the best leaders
✔️ How to grow a brand without losing authenticity
✔️ The power of people-first marketing
✔️ Leading with confidence—even in uncertainty

🎧 Watch the full episode:

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jenna Law, Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications a...

05/18/2026

Jenna Law, Sr. Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at Keke’s Breakfast Cafe, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

Don’t miss this powerful and insightful conversation on brand building, leadership, and growth.

🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode. New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube—ready to listen, download, and share.

05/13/2026

What if scaling your franchise didn’t mean becoming cookie-cutter?

In our latest episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, we sat down with Jamie Cecil and Elizabeth Brasch of Mellow Mushroom to explore how a 50+ year-old brand continues to grow—without losing what makes it unique.

Their approach?

“Freedom within a framework.”

While many franchise systems prioritize uniformity above all else, Mellow Mushroom has found a way to balance:

✔ Creative, one-of-a-kind locations
✔ Strong operational systems
✔ Non-negotiable standards for food quality and service

Each restaurant reflects its local community—while still delivering a consistent brand experience where it matters most.

👉 What do you think—should franchises prioritize consistency, or is there room for creativity within the model?

In this episode of The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Jamie Cecil, VP of Franchise Development, and Elizabeth Brasch, EV...

05/11/2026

Jamie Cecil and Elizabeth Brasch of Mellow Mushroom join us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

In this episode, we explore their insights and experiences in franchising and leadership.

Don’t miss this thoughtful and engaging conversation.

🎧 Subscribe today and never miss an episode.
New episodes drop every Wednesday at 4:00 PM CT on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and YouTube — ready to listen, download, and share.