The Franchise Woman

09/09/2026

Growth isn't just about opening more locations.

It's about becoming the kind of leader your people want to follow.

This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Komal Kumar, multi-unit Pearle Vision franchise owner and Chair of the National Franchise Advisory Council.

Komal shares her inspiring journey from growing up in a family of eye care entrepreneurs in Myanmar to becoming one of Pearle Vision's leading franchise owners in Southern California.

Our conversation explores:

• The mindset required to scale from one location to five
• Why "showing up" became her leadership philosophy
• Building teams that truly believe in your vision
• Balancing profitability with exceptional customer care
• The power of franchising to accelerate entrepreneurial dreams

One of my favorite takeaways from Komal's interview:

"If I'm going to show up for the profits, I also have to show up for the challenges."

Whether you're a business owner, franchisee, or aspiring entrepreneur, Komal's story is filled with practical wisdom about leadership, resilience, and sustainable growth.

https://hubs.ly/Q04sTrTD0

What does it take to grow from one location to five while maintaini...

09/07/2026

Komal Kumar, multi-unit Pearl Vision franchise owner and Chair of the National Franchise Advisory Council, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

What if the key to building a successful multi-unit franchise isn't opening more locations... but showing up every single day?

From immigrating to the United States with an entrepreneurial dream to owning five Pearl Vision locations, Komal shares how resilience, servant leadership, and an unwavering commitment to people have fueled her remarkable journey. Discover why "showing up" for your team, your customers, and your challenges is the foundation of lasting success.

🎧 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.

09/02/2026

The franchise development process should become more human as a candidate moves closer to a decision, not less.

That idea sits at the center of Rebecca Monet’s conversation with Dave Hansen, CEO of ClientTether, on The Franchise Woman Podcast.

Dave describes a practical approach to automation across the franchise sales funnel:

At the top of the funnel, use technology to manage the repeatable work. Respond quickly. Nurture consistently. Qualify thoughtfully. Schedule efficiently.

As the candidate moves forward, reduce the automation and increase the personal connection.

Why?

Because a franchise agreement is not simply the conclusion of a sales process. It is the beginning of a relationship that may last 10, 20, or even 30 years.

Rebecca and Dave also discuss why the industry’s perceived “lead quality problem” may actually be something more complex: a shift in buyer psychology. Today’s candidates may need more information, greater transparency, stronger social proof, and a process that reflects how they evaluate risk.

That does not make them poor candidates. It means franchisors must understand who they are, determine whether they fit the brand, and engage them accordingly.

In this episode, they explore:

•Lead quality versus lead quantity
•Automation without losing the human element
•Adapting communication to the individual candidate
•Using psychographic insight to improve engagement
•Recognizing when a candidate’s natural tendencies fit the demands of the business
•Building systems that support the next generation of franchise owners

Watch the full interview: https://hubs.ly/Q04wfDNY0

Then join Dave and Rebecca live on Thursday, September 10 at 12:30 PM ET for FranDev 2.0: Upgrade Your Strategy for a New Kind of Buyer. The webinar will take this conversation further with practical ways to adapt your franchise development strategy for changing candidate expectations.

Register here: https://hubs.ly/Q04wfF6y0

Franchise development needs structure, speed, and consistency. But ...

08/31/2026

Dave Hansen, CEO of ClientTether, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

What if the biggest obstacle to growing your business isn't your sales process... but the way you're leading it?

Dave shares how intentional leadership, proven sales systems, and automation can help franchise organizations scale without losing the personal connections that drive long-term success. From coaching franchise systems to helping sales teams perform at a higher level, he explains why the best growth strategies combine technology with genuine human relationships.

🎧 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.

08/26/2026

Great marketing isn't about selling.

It's about making people feel something.

This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Lynsay Flynt, Director of Marketing for Workout Anytime.

From her experience as a Division I athlete to leading marketing for more than 190 fitness locations, Lynsay shares how authentic leadership, strategic thinking, and community-driven branding have fueled her success.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The leadership lessons learned through competitive sports
• Why authenticity matters more than ever in today's marketing
• Building communities instead of simply growing customer lists
• Creating memorable brand experiences
• Balancing AI with genuine human connection
• The power of values-driven leadership

One of my favorite takeaways:

"People may forget what you said or what you did, but they'll never forget how you made them feel."

Whether you're leading a franchise, managing a brand, or building your own business, this conversation is packed with practical insights on leadership, marketing, and creating meaningful connections.

https://hubs.ly/Q04rzsYn0

What does it take to build a fitness brand that people don't just j...

08/24/2026

Lynsay Flynt, Director of Marketing for Workout Anytime, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

What if the best marketing strategy isn't about selling... but about making people feel like they belong?

From her days as a Division I athlete to leading marketing for one of the nation's fastest-growing fitness franchises, Lynsay shares how authenticity, community, and values-driven leadership have helped build lasting connections with members and franchisees alike. Discover why trust, human connection, and genuine experiences remain the most powerful tools in today's marketing landscape.

🎧 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.

08/19/2026

Great businesses aren't built by systems alone—they're built by leaders who genuinely care about people.

This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa welcome Kamille McCollum, President and Chief Branding Officer of BODYBAR Pilates.

Kamille shares how her background in social work and education shaped her leadership philosophy and helped transform BODYBAR Pilates into one of the nation's fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises.

Our conversation explores:

• Leading with encouragement and trust
• Scaling without losing your company culture
• Why intentional reflection leads to better decisions
• Building support systems that help franchisees thrive
• Creating a workplace people genuinely love being part of

Whether you're leading a franchise system, growing a business, or developing your leadership skills, Kamille's perspective is both practical and inspiring.

Watch the full episode and discover why culture, consistency, and people-first leadership remain competitive advantages in today's business landscape.

https://hubs.ly/Q04rzCF00

What does it take to grow one of the country's fastest-growing bout...

08/17/2026

Kamille McCollum, President and Chief Branding Officer of BODYBAR Pilates, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

What if the secret to scaling a fast-growing franchise isn't opening more locations... but protecting your culture?

Kamille shares how a people-first leadership philosophy helped transform BODYBAR Pilates into one of the nation's fastest-growing boutique fitness franchises. From her beginnings in social work and education to leading a nationally recognized brand, she reveals why encouragement, intentional leadership, and investing in people are the foundation of sustainable 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.

08/12/2026

What if every closed door was actually pointing you toward something better?

That's exactly what happened to Kayla Curtis.

This week on The Franchise Woman Podcast, Rebecca Monet and Tracy Kawa sit down with Kayla, a former collegiate athlete, coach's wife, mother, entrepreneur, real estate investor, and multi-unit Orangetheory Fitness franchise owner.

When coaching opportunities disappeared and uncertainty set in, Kayla and her husband made a bold decision: instead of waiting for another opportunity, they would create one.

Today, they operate seven Orangetheory studios and lead a growing team built on servant leadership, strong culture, and a commitment to helping others succeed.

Some of my favorite takeaways from this conversation:

🏆 Get comfortable being uncomfortable
🏆 Rejection is often redirection
🏆 The right mentor can change your trajectory
🏆 Leadership begins with service
🏆 Motherhood can be one of the greatest leadership training grounds
🏆 There is never a "perfect" time to start

Kayla's story is a reminder that confidence doesn't come before action—it grows because of action.

If you've been waiting for the perfect moment to pursue a dream, this episode may be exactly what you need to hear.

https://hubs.ly/Q04rhlcg0

What do you do when every door closes?For Kayla Curtis, the answe...

08/10/2026

Kayla Curtis, multi-unit Orangetheory Fitness franchise owner, joins us this week on The Franchise Woman Podcast: Where Passion & Purpose Collide.

What if every closed door was actually leading you to something greater?

After years of supporting her husband's college football coaching career, Kayla found herself at an unexpected crossroads when coaching opportunities disappeared. Instead of waiting for the next opportunity, she and her husband chose to bet on themselves—acquiring seven Orangetheory Fitness studios and building a thriving business rooted in leadership, resilience, and purpose.

🎧 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.