Brooke Budke opens up about the real challenges of leading a franchise brand. She explains the pressure, the criticism, the emotional weight, and the constant responsibility that comes with supporting owners and their families.

This episode explores leadership at a deeper level. Brooke shares what she learned through rapid growth, identity shifts, becoming brand president during the most difficult season of her career, and rebuilding her life as a founder and parent.

You will hear her perspective on communication, culture, clarity, personal reinvention, and the internal noise that leaders face when everyone has an opinion about every decision. She explains her journey with honesty and experience, and the result is a conversation that leaves you with a clearer view of what leadership demands.

This episode is for anyone navigating growth, change, or a new season of responsibility. It is a conversation grounded in experience and focused on real lessons from a leader who has lived through both success and personal transformation.

0:00 In person introduction in Brentwood TN
00:47 Starting at Title Boxing at age 30
01:53 Early challenges stepping into a leadership role
03:55 Everyone disliked the marketing team
06:18 Rebranding and early operational chaos
08:25 Understanding the thirty five year old female consumer
10:06 Helping franchisees communicate with their audience
11:24 Why communication determines long term results
11:46 Handling criticism and internal pressure
12:19 Mindset structure and decision making
14:11 Human needs and franchisee conflict
16:25 Leading with clarity and kindness
17:40 The emotional weight of leading a brand
18:08 Why no one has your exact vantage point
18:39 Why franchising feels personal to every owner
19:15 Becoming brand president and navigating shutdowns
20:27 Solving problems with limited resources
22:09 Resetting identity after a company sale
23:14 Separating personal identity from the business
24:45 Removing yourself from roles that limit growth
27:16 Creating a personal operating structure
28:01 Using conviction to solve business problems
29:31 Evolving from founder to leader
30:25 Attracting the right partners
31:19 Selecting the right franchisees from the beginning
32:50 Moving from zero units to three hundred
37:01 Step parent life IVF and purpose
37:56 A one in a million pregnancy journey
40:09 Why people remain in familiar situations
41:28 Choosing yourself and choosing your family
43:24 Launching Momentum Brands during pregnancy
46:02 Coaching founders and emerging brands
47:46 Brand profiles and common challenges
50:08 The value of recurring revenue
51:12 Leadership habits that influence brand performance
54:28 How founders create their own barriers
59:04 Micro habits of successful operators
01:12:25 Training product and building alignment
01:29:01 Using content as leverage
01:42:13 Breaking limiting beliefs around social platforms
01:47:08 Closing thoughts and gratitude