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How Two First-Time Franchisees Built a Thriving Roofing Business — Without Construction Backgrounds

In this episode, the team sits down with Kevin and Kathy, first-time franchise owners of Action Exteriors, to unpack how two non-constructors turned a leap of faith into a fast-growing exterior restoration business.

They share how they mastered insurance claims, learned the trades on the fly, built a team-first culture, and turned single-scope roof jobs into multi-trade projects that scale. Expect a real conversation about cash flow, subs, support, and the realities of ownership—not a highlight reel.

You’ll learn:
• Why Kevin and Kathy chose Action Exteriors based on culture and coaching, not hype
• How they turned insurance roofs into profitable multi-trade projects
• The keys to hiring slow, firing fast, and protecting culture early
• How to manage 30–90 day insurance receivables without running dry
• The right way to use subcontractor networks for scale and quality
• What “selling outcomes over items” really looks like in home services
• How they planned funding with ROBS and HELOC backup
• The path from residential to commercial roofing (and licensing in Oklahoma)
• Why local relationship marketing beats vanity social posting
• How they’re already thinking about their exit strategy and unit acquisitions

This episode is packed with real franchise ownership lessons—from managing cash and crews to building a scalable, sellable business with no prior construction experience.

👉 Interested in exploring franchise ownership yourself?
Visit thefranchiseinsiders.com
, head to our Team page, and read our consultants’ stories.
Find the franchise owner whose journey resonates with you—and start your own.

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Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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Want a business that doesn’t just pay you—but can be sold for a multiple? We dive with Thomas Scott into the playbook behind low-investment, high-potential franchises and why home services are the quiet engine of real, sellable equity. From custom closets to dryer vents, Thomas breaks down how to “build the box”: modern marketing, a tight CRM stack, accessible SBA financing, and a category with durable demand. We talk strategy, not hype—how to win in crowded markets by studying the customer journey, undercutting legacy pricing, and delivering faster, cleaner experiences that today’s buyers expect.

We explore why closets deliver some of the highest ROI in home improvement, how Millennials and Gen Z are driving 24% industry growth, and what makes the business model so satisfying: one-hour design consults, clear proposals, and single-day installs that compound into referrals. Thomas opens the hood on support that actually moves the needle—intense onboarding, weekly group coaching, and specialist access with staff-to-owner ratios around 1:5 to 1:8. The message is simple: stop being the technician; step up as a small-business CEO. Track the right metrics, hire deliberately, and run the proven play.

We also map the path to liquidity. A top salary can’t be sold; a well-run franchise can. Learn how to structure territories around an EBITDA target, why month 18 is the turning point, and how resales move quickly—often inside the system—using creative structures like partial seller financing. You’ll hear the traits that define top performers (hint: they follow the system), why coachable Gen Z owners are surging, and the exact inputs for predictable growth: reps, consults, and disciplined marketing spend.

If you’re ready to trade rented income for real equity, press play, take notes, and choose one metric to own this week. Subscribe, share with a friend who needs this roadmap, and leave a review to help more builders find the show.

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Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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Looking for the real playbook behind franchise growth in a high-rate, AI-shaken market? We sat down with Aaron Harper—architect of Rolling Suds’ explosive rise—to unpack why niche, recurring service businesses are beating capital-heavy food brands and how honest expectations turn into better outcomes. From the Patch Boys turnaround during COVID to building the largest power washing brand by units nationwide, Aaron shares the decisions that mattered: targeting a service with commercial recurrence, claiming a category before an 800-pound gorilla forms, and funding support so franchisees can actually scale.

We get practical fast. Want to buy into an emerging brand? Ask about capitalization, headcount plans, field support ratios, and how much of your franchise fee funds support versus sales.

Hear why “hire a GM and keep your day job” is usually fantasy, how W-2 versus 1099 labor shapes resale value, and why private equity favors operators with predictable, commercial contracts.

We dig into fencing, roofing, and commercial cleaning as compelling categories, contrast execution advantage with first-mover advantage, and reveal the KPI mindset owners need to build real enterprise value.

There’s also a bridge for ETA searchers who’ve spent 12–18 months chasing unicorn acquisitions. High-quality franchises deliver speed to cash flow, proven systems, and full ownership without surrendering equity to a fund. The throughline is simple and strong: pick a focused niche, commit to active ownership early, and build recurring revenue that compounds. If you’re ready to stop hunting for “absentee” myths and start constructing a business worth buying—and one day, worth selling—this conversation lays out the path.

Enjoy the episode, then subscribe, share with a friend who’s exploring franchises, and leave a quick review so more builders can find this show.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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What does it take to build a successful children's hair salon franchise? Lacy Altenhofen, owner of multiple Sharkey's Cuts for Kids locations in Texas, reveals the unexpected journey that transformed her from marketing professional to thriving entrepreneur.

Driven by a desire to bring valuable services to her hometown communities, Lacy discovered Sharkey's Cuts for Kids through what she calls "serendipity" – receiving an email from the co-founder himself while simultaneously having the franchise recommended by her consultant. This perfect alignment confirmed she was on the right path, despite having no prior salon industry experience.

Her timing, however, couldn't have been more challenging. Just three and a half months after opening her first location, COVID forced temporary closures. Yet through strategic marketing, community partnerships, and unwavering dedication to company culture, her business not only survived but began thriving shortly after reopening.

What makes Sharkey's Cuts for Kids unique in the competitive landscape is their commitment to inclusivity and age-appropriate experiences. From fun cars for toddlers to Xbox stations for tweens, they've created an environment where children of all ages and neurodiversity levels feel comfortable. As Lacy explains, "We grow with the family," serving children from their first haircut through their teenage years.

For aspiring franchise owners, Lacy offers this golden nugget: "I would rather be understaffed with the right people than appropriately staffed with the wrong ones." Her focus on creating a teamwork-oriented culture stands in contrast to the traditionally competitive salon industry, where stylists often work against rather than with each other.

Ready to explore if franchise ownership might be right for you? Text us at 305-710-0050 for honest advice and guidance from experienced franchise owners who can help you navigate the process with confidence.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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When searching for a franchise opportunity, are you immediately drawn to the newest concepts with the flashiest marketing?

In this eye-opening discussion with Voda Restoration CEO Dan Claps and a powerhouse panel of successful franchise owners, we unpack the surprising truth about franchise selection that most prospective buyers miss.

"90% of being an entrepreneur is picking the right industry," shares Dan, who sold his previous franchise company to private equity before age 30. This candid conversation reveals why established industries with proven demand often present better opportunities than novel concepts, and how something as simple as updated technology can create market-leading advantages in traditional service sectors.

Our expert panel tackles the counterintuitive reality about competition – why seeing multiple competitors in your target market might actually validate your franchise choice rather than discourage it. "You don't know about the other brands that maybe someone bought in a neighboring territory, that they have a development schedule," Dan explains, highlighting why industry size matters more than competitor count.

We also explore the challenging journey of growing a franchise system from both the franchisor and franchisee perspectives. From the critical "two-year mark" when franchisees question their royalty value to innovative approaches for supporting veteran owners, this conversation offers rare insights into sustainable franchise growth.

Whether you're considering your first franchise purchase or expanding your portfolio, this discussion provides a framework for evaluating opportunities beyond the hype. Visit thefranchiseinsiders.com to connect with our consultant team and find your perfect franchise match.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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What happens when you gather six successful franchise owners in one room and ask them to share their unfiltered insights? You get a masterclass in franchise reality that cuts through the noise and marketing hype.

The Franchise Insiders team brings decades of combined experience as both franchise owners and consultants to deliver a refreshingly honest look at what's actually working in franchising today. This special roundtable episode features Jack and Jill alongside their expert consultant team: David San Juan (Pinks franchise owner), Brian Gross (former Art of Drawers owner with financial expertise), Morgan Noller and Kathryn Allen (both award-winning Soccer Stars franchisees).

From the beginning, the conversation dives deep into which franchise categories are genuinely overrated versus those flying under the radar with exceptional returns. The team unanimously warns against common pitfalls like overvaluing existing business purchases on BizBuySell ("most of what's on there is junk") and chasing trendy fitness or food concepts with razor-thin margins. Instead, they highlight the remarkable opportunities in "unsexy" sectors like home services, B2B facility solutions, and senior care – where average revenues reach 7 figures on investments as low as $150K.

Perhaps most valuable is their candid discussion about misconceptions plaguing new franchise owners. The myth of "passive" franchise ownership gets thoroughly debunked as Catherine shares how her MVP status required "working 80-hour weeks... seven days a week" initially. David adds a recent lesson from covering for his general manager: "I made a mistake putting too much on one person and not learning the business ins and outs."

The conversation explores AI's transformative impact on franchising, 2025 trends including private equity's growing interest in successful franchisees, and practical wisdom about financial runways and proper validation techniques. The team even shares a lightning round of which franchises they'd personally invest $250K in right now.

Ready to cut through the franchise marketing noise and hear what really works? Text 305-710-0050 to access our franchise financial planning tools and find out which consultant can guide your journey toward successful business ownership.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

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Childhood best friends turned successful franchise owners Kathryn Allen and Morgan Noller reveal their remarkable journey from selling scrunchies as kids to becoming top-performing Soccer Stars franchisees in this captivating conversation.

These dynamic entrepreneurs speak candidly about their transitions from corporate careers to business ownership, sharing how they've managed to double growth rates, achieve system-wide recognition, and create thriving businesses while balancing the demands of motherhood. Their contrasting approaches—Kathryn focusing on B2C enrollment while Morgan excels at B2B partnerships—demonstrate the flexibility within franchise systems.

What truly stands out is their strategic approach to business building. Initially focused on revenue growth and establishing quality programs, they've evolved to carefully analyzing profit margins and optimizing operations. Both credit their success to thoughtful delegation, identifying their strengths, and building strong team cultures that minimize turnover. As Kathryn explains, "The coaches are the heart and soul of our company," which is why investing in their development and creating meaningful work environments has been crucial to their success.

Perhaps most valuable is their honest assessment of the franchise model's advantages. While acknowledging they could have built independent soccer coaching businesses, both agree franchising accelerated their growth timeline by years. The systems, support, and lessons learned from other franchisees allowed them to avoid common pitfalls and scale rapidly. Now, they're expanding their entrepreneurial portfolios as franchise consultants with The Franchise Insiders, particularly passionate about helping more women discover the opportunities in franchise ownership.

Ready to explore how franchise ownership might transform your life? Visit thefranchiseinsiders.com to learn more and connect with Kathryn or Morgan directly. And stay tuned for their upcoming podcast, "BFFs: Best Friends in Franchising," where they'll continue sharing insights from their entrepreneurial journey.

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.

Send us a text

What makes some franchise owners wildly successful while others struggle? Scott Greenberg, acclaimed author and former top-performing franchisee, unlocks the secrets of "wealthy franchisees" in this eye-opening conversation.

Scott's journey began unexpectedly when he spotted an Edible Arrangements ad in an airline magazine. As a motivational speaker seeking both real-world business experience and additional income, he took the plunge into franchise ownership. What followed was a decade of powerful lessons as he built multiple top-performing locations while continuing his speaking career.

The mindset difference between successful and struggling franchisees became immediately apparent. While struggling owners focus on external factors—location, market conditions, franchisor support—top performers understand they are the biggest variable in their business success. They approach their first 18 months with a "farming mentality," planting seeds rather than expecting immediate harvest.

One of Scott's most powerful insights is his formula for how franchise owners should spend their time. Take your desired annual income, divide by 2,000 work hours, and you'll get your effective hourly rate. Would you pay someone that amount to sweep floors or answer phones? If not, you shouldn't be doing those tasks either. The most successful franchisees work ON their business (marketing, culture, strategy) rather than IN it (day-to-day operations).

Perhaps most revealing is the stark contrast between franchisees in identical systems. Jack and Jill share the story of two owners in the same franchise—one recently had a successful exit after just two years, while another is calling it "the worst franchise on earth." This perfectly illustrates how personal mindset and approach create dramatically different outcomes.

Ready to explore franchise ownership or improve your existing franchise's performance? Visit scottgreenberg.com for resources, or schedule a free consultation at thefranchiseinsiders.com to receive a complimentary copy of Scott's must-read books: "The Wealthy Franchisee" or "Stop the Shift Now."

Visit www.weboughtafranchise.com to subscribe.
Send us your questions for an upcoming episode at 305-710-0050.
From your pals in franchise ownership, Jack and Jill Johnson.