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FranchiseU!

FranchiseU!

By: Dr. Kathy Gosser Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville
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 FranchiseU! is your inside track to the franchise world—whether you’re a franchisee, franchisor, investor, entrepreneur, corporate exec, or just franchise-curious. Hosted by Dr. Kathy Gosser, a leading voice in franchise education, the podcast features insightful interviews with industry pros and rising stars, from franchise owners to C-suite leaders, support specialists, scholars, and students. Each episode dives into real stories, lessons learned, and strategies that shape the franchise industry. Dr. Gosser brings her expertise and energy to every conversation, unpacking key takeaways and offering personal insights that connect the dots between theory and practice. It’s part conversation, part classroom, and all about helping you understand and thrive in franchising.Copyright 2025 FranchiseU! Economics Leadership Management Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • From BrightStar to Founder to Founder: Shelly Berkowitz's Journey of Resilience and Passion in Franchising

    From BrightStar to Founder to Founder: Shelly Berkowitz's Journey of Resilience and Passion in Franchising
    Sep 2 2025

    In this episode of FranchiseU!, host Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Shelly Berkowitz, the esteemed founder of BrightStar Care. Berkowitz shares her inspiring journey from her early days working in corporate jobs to founding BrightStar, a premier medical and non-medical home healthcare and medical staffing service franchise. She recounts the challenges and successes she faced while growing BrightStar into a nationally recognized brand, her strategic decision to franchise, and her recent transition to starting a new venture called Founder to Founder. This venture aims to support and empower other founders in scaling their businesses. Berkowitz offers deep insights into her decision-making processes, the importance of resilience, and how the COVID-19 pandemic influenced her decision to sell BrightStar. The episode is a testament to Berkowitz's passion for franchising and her commitment to supporting other entrepreneurs.

    Shelly Berkowitz is the founder and CEO of Founder 2 Founder, offering objective, founder-aligned guidance from someone who’s been there. She is also the founder of BrightStar Care and the Executive Chairwoman of BrightStar Holdings Parent, LLC, the parent company of BrightStar Care and BrightStar Care Homes. Founder 2 Founder offers personalized, objective guidance to help founders with businesses that will be above $10million in EBITDA within 24 months scale or sell their company with confidence.

    Shelly Berkowitz’s journey as a founder began in 2002 with BrightStar Care, a national home healthcare and medical staffing company dedicated to delivering compassionate, high-quality care to families across the country. What began as a personal mission grew into a franchise system with more than 400 locations, employing over 20,000 professionals and generating $750 million in system-wide revenue.

    After more than 20 years as CEO, Berkowitz made the decision to transition from an active operational CEO role to a strategic Chairperson role, selling a majority stake in BrightStar to Peak Rock Capital while remaining a material shareholder and active board member.

    Today, Berkowitz is dedicated to helping other founders prepare for and navigate the complexities of scaling, selling, and stewarding their business legacies. Having lived the founder journey from start-up to successful exit, She brings a rare combination of operational insight and emotional understanding to one of the most personal and high-stakes decisions a founder can make.

    Berkowitz is also a mom of two, published author, keynote speaker and longtime advocate for women in business, home healthcare innovation and franchising excellence.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Breaking Records & Building Brands: Ron Taylor’s Franchise Story

    Breaking Records & Building Brands: Ron Taylor’s Franchise Story
    Aug 19 2025

    I have an opportunity, in my line of work, to talk to a lot of franchisees and a lot of franchisors. It's always enlightening, but it's very rare to be able to talk to someone who has been a franchisee of multiple brands and continues to give back even now with consulting. So join me in this episode of FranchiseU! when I talk with Ron Taylor. Ron has been a very successful franchisee of Edible Brands, and now is a franchisee of Nothing Bundt Cakes and SweatHouz and has his own consulting business. He has some wonderful insights to share with us.

    Taylor is the founder of Franchise Authentic, a brand rooted in real-world franchise experience and proven results. With a background as a top-performing franchisee and operator, he helps align aspiring entrepreneurs with the right franchise brand.

    Topics discussed include:

    • Introduction and Guest Overview
    • Ron Taylor's Franchise Journey Begins
    • Scaling Edible Arrangements
    • The SweatHouz Experience
    • Insights on Franchising
    • Evaluating Franchisors
    • Advice for Multi-Brand and Multi-Unit Owners
    • Misconceptions About Franchising
    • The Importance of Creativity and Following Rules
    • Advice for Aspiring Franchisees

    Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:

    Website: FranchiseU!

    Instagram: @franchiseu_podcast

    Facebook: @FranchiseU Podcast

    Twitter: @franchiseupod

    TikTok: @franchiseupod

    Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn.

    This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.
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    Less than 1 minute
  • Inside Magnolia Bakery: Success, Expansion, and the Art of Baking with Bobbie Lloyd and Jason Mattes

    Inside Magnolia Bakery: Success, Expansion, and the Art of Baking with Bobbie Lloyd and Jason Mattes
    Aug 5 2025
    So many of us have heard about Magnolia Bakery. It's been famous from TV shows like Sex in the City; and Only Murders in the Building. They have delicious cupcakes and banana pudding, just all the wonderful things. But what's really exciting is… Magnolia Bakery has just announced that they are going to start franchising here in the US and there are so many opportunities available.In this episode of FranchiseU!, host Dr. Kathy Gosser welcomes Bobbie Lloyd and Jason Mattes from Magnolia Bakery as they walk us through the Magnolia Bakery story and where they're headed.

    Topics discussed include:
    • Bobbie Lloyd's Culinary Journey
    • Jason Mattes' Franchise Development Story
    • Magnolia Bakery's Global Expansion
    • The Hub and Spoke Model: Flagship and No-Bake Stores
    • Qualities of a Successful Franchisee
    • Training and Support for Franchisees
    • Choosing Franchise Locations and Partners
    • Advice for Aspiring Franchisees
    Don’t miss out on all things FranchiseU!:

    Website: FranchiseU!

    Instagram: @franchiseu_podcast

    Facebook: @FranchiseU Podcast

    Twitter: @franchiseupod

    TikTok: @franchiseupod

    Reach out directly to Dr. Kathy Gosser via LinkedIn.

    This episode proudly brought to you by the Yum! Center for Global Franchise Excellence at the University of Louisville College of Business.
    Show More Show Less
    Less than 1 minute
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