Unpredicted Entrepreneur

Welcome to Episode 122 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske sit down with Mark Cunningham, a veteran business owner who left behind a 38-year insurance career to reinvent himself through franchising and entrepreneurship. Mark shares his inspiring journey, his experience with owning the top laundromat in Dallas/Fort Worth, and building a new legacy with Black Optix Tint. In this episode, you'll hear about: - Transitioning from a long-standing corporate career to entrepreneurship - Key lessons learned from owning a laundromat franchise - How to build a family legacy in business - Importance of company culture and leadership support - Tips for aspiring franchise owners and building confidence Contact Information and Free Resources: Connect with our hosts: Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/ Chapters for this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction: Redefining Success 00:00:32 Mark Cunningham’s New Chapter 00:01:14 Mark’s Background and Early Career 00:05:15 Transition to Entrepreneurship 00:06:21 Choosing and Building the Laundromat Franchise 00:08:26 Laundromat Success and Exit 00:10:03 Motivation for a New Venture at 71 00:12:04 Building a Family Legacy 00:13:24 Introduction to Black Optix Tint 00:15:29 Why Black Optix Tint? Culture and Opportunity 00:17:25 Passion, Purpose, and Impact 00:18:57 Family and Resilience in Business 00:19:54 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Franchisees 00:22:29 How to Connect With Mark & Black Optix Tint 00:23:31 Closing Remarks #entrepreneurship #franchising #careertransition #businessownership #franchisepodcast

Welcome to episode 121 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll learn how leaving corporate franchise leadership can lead to a successful entrepreneurial journey. Discover the realities of building your own business from the ground up. Craig and Kristen Jooste share the raw details behind their decision to quit their corporate roles. This conversation explores the actual risks, the long hours required, and the trade-offs they made to gain control over their professional lives. If you’re considering starting a business or currently feel stuck in a corporate environment, their story offers a realistic look at the transition. We discuss the specific challenges of business ownership and how the initial struggle paved the way for more autonomy. By examining their entrepreneurial journey, you will gain perspective on whether the path of an entrepreneurial life aligns with your own goals. Understanding the sacrifice needed to leave corporate franchise leadership is essential for anyone weighing a similar career pivot. Subscribe for weekly business strategy breakdowns and share in the comments: What is the biggest challenge holding you back from starting your own venture? Contact Information and Free Resources: Connect with our guests: Craig Jooste - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjooste/ Kristen Jooste - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-jooste-1a6bb939/ Follow: Genie Senior Services - https://www.linkedin.com/company/genie-senior-services-north-america/ Connect with our hosts: Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/ Chapters for this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction: Building a Life, Not Just a Business 00:01:02 Meet the Guests: Craig and Kristen Joost 00:01:56 Early Careers and Jumping into Entrepreneurship 00:03:19 Building and Franchising the Handyman Business 00:05:08 What is Genie Senior Services? 00:06:48 Lessons Learned from Franchise and Ownership 00:10:23 Expanding from Canada to the U.S. 00:13:07 Who Makes the Ideal Genie Franchisee? 00:16:19 Multi-Territory and Scaling Opportunities 00:19:35 Advice for Prospective Franchisees 00:23:24 Culture, Fit, and Contact Information 00:24:30 Closing Remarks and Thanks #entrepreneurship #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseconsulting #unpredictedentrepreneur

Welcome to Episode 120 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll hear how our special guest, Joseph Gozlan, approached commercial real estate after leaving a career in software engineering. See the critical factors for business success. Joseph shares his experience moving from software engineering into the world of commercial real estate. If you’re considering a career change or looking to build a business outside of corporate America, this conversation highlights the practical realities of the transition. We focus on the foundational decisions that determine the long-term viability of new businesses. This session breaks down why location and financial planning are the most significant variables in commercial real estate. By analyzing these core elements, you’ll gain a clearer perspective on how to structure your own business success. We discuss the mindset shift required when moving away from a traditional role and how to evaluate risks effectively. Subscribe for weekly career and investment breakdowns, and comment on what industry you are considering moving into next. Contact Information and Free Resources: Connect with Joseph Gozlan - https://www.linkedin.com/in/gozlan/ Eureka Business Group https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebgtx/ Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/ Chapters for this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction: The Importance of Location and Leases 00:00:13 Guest Introduction: Joseph Gosselin’s Background 00:01:06 Episode Welcome and Guest’s Full Title 00:02:16 Joseph Gosselin’s Journey: From Software Engineer to Real Estate 00:04:04 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate 00:05:44 How a Commercial Broker Serves Business Owners 00:08:00 Handling Unrepresented Tenants 00:10:36 Lease vs. Buy: Which Path is Best? 00:13:53 Top Lease Mistakes and What to Watch Out For 00:17:10 Educating Yourself & Joseph’s Book 00:18:54 How to Contact Joseph Gosselin 00:19:21 Final Words of Wisdom and Episode Close #entrepreneurship #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseconsulting #unpredictedentrepreneur

Entrepreneurship, franchising, and business growth - Welcome to Episode 119 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow sit down with special guest Andrew Edwards, proud president of Gorilla Property Services. Andrew Edwards shares his inspiring journey from driving 3,000 miles with little experience to building a top Canadian franchise brand. In this episode, you’ll hear about: - The bold leap Andrew Edwards took into entrepreneurship and franchising - The grit, resilience, and risk-taking behind launching a business with no roadmap - Building and scaling Gorilla Property Services into a rapidly growing franchise - The unique culture of support and collaboration within the franchise network - Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs about committing fully and jumping in Don’t miss this conversation about resilience, relationships, and what it really takes to become an "Unpredicted Entrepreneur." Subscribe for more insights and inspiration! Contact information & Free resources: Contact Andrew Edwards - [email protected] Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/ Chapters for this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction: Diving Into Entrepreneurship 00:01:04 Meet Andrew Edwards 00:01:30 Andrew’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings 00:04:03 Entering Franchising & Early Struggles 00:06:14 Breaking Into the Restoration Market 00:08:52 Growing the Business & Successful Exit 00:09:59 Joining Gorilla Property Services 00:11:02 Transforming Culture & Systems 00:12:22 Scaling Across Canada & U.S. Expansion 00:13:01 Testing the Market & Service Overview 00:13:41 What Gorilla Property Services Does 00:17:09 Company Culture & Franchisee Support 00:20:26 Getting Started: How to Join 00:20:50 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs 00:22:38 How to Contact Andrew 00:23:40 Closing Remarks #entrepreneurship #franchisesuccess #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseopportunities #franchising

Welcome to episode 118 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Discover how SCORE mentorship can empower small business owners and entrepreneurs as hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow sit down with Bill Little, chapter chair of SCORE Dallas. With over 25 years in senior leadership at major companies and firsthand experience running a small business, Bill Little shares insights on planning, process, and the real journey from idea to execution. In this episode, you'll hear about: - How SCORE connects entrepreneurs with expert mentors in every business area - Bill Little’s transition from corporate leadership to small business and mentorship - Real success stories from SCORE clients and the impact of mentorship - Free resources, business planning tools, and workshops available to entrepreneurs - Why process, flexibility, and community make all the difference for small business owners Ready for expert advice to turn your business idea into reality? Watch now and start building your path to success! Make sure to subscribe to the @yourlocalfranchiseexperts YouTube channel to stay updated. Contact information and Free resources: Score Mentors (Dallas) - Free business planning tools, resources, and workshops: https://www.score.org/tx/dallas/ Additional business plan templates and grant resources: https://www.thefundingtrail.com/ Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/ Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/ Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw Chapters for this episode: 00:00:00 Introduction & Welcome 00:01:11 Meet Bill Little 00:02:07 Bill’s Background & Path to Mentorship 00:04:38 Bill’s Consulting Business 00:05:19 Types of SCORE Mentors 00:06:27 Unique Mentor Examples 00:09:39 What Does SCORE Cost? 00:11:02 When to Reach Out to SCORE 00:13:11 SCORE as Your Team & Support System 00:14:13 Success Stories from SCORE 00:15:40 SCORE’s Nationwide Network 00:17:19 Free Tools & Business Plan Resources 00:19:59 Bill's Top Tip for Entrepreneurs 00:22:21 Flexibility & Learning in Franchising 00:23:05 Franchisor Culture & Fit 00:24:26 How to Connect with SCORE 00:25:15 Closing Remarks