“It’s a beautiful form of entrepreneurship to be a franchisee, because you have so much stability and support but you still are the maven of your own market.”

Debra Strougo worked for the New York City mayor’s office in brand development for “the greatest brand in the world.” But over time her unquenchable passion for fitness beckoned and in 2017 with her husband she launched Row House — now with more than 300 North American locations. Today she’s an investor and advisor — a “founder co-pilot” — for numerous fitness-related brands, helping them as they scale through franchising and manage decision fatigue, and address franchisor/franchisee issues.

In this lively conversation with Ab and Vini, Debra discusses:

• Why the best ‘zees are the ones who “get on the bus.”
• Her holistic approach for potential ‘zees to make sure franchising is the right move for them.
• Franchisor enforcement options, and why ‘zees need to know them by heart.
• Her seismic shift in business model mindset: from expecting to scale Row House to embracing the franchisor model.
• The ways that fitness franchises are in fact communities.
• Why ‘zees need to map out doomsday scenarios while they plan for runaway success.
• Her mid-career realization that franchising IS entrepreneurship.

“If a franchisee invents a practice that is serving them really well, we want them to let us know so we can package it up and share it in the system.”

The beauty market is one of the hottest in franchising, and with more than 100 locations in the US and Canada, Blo Blow Dry Bar is one of the hottest beauty franchises. CEO and partner Vanessa Yakobson joins Ab & Vini to share her journey, her leadership lessons, and her insights on how ‘zees and ‘zors alike can achieve more.

Listen in as Vanessa explains:

• How her 12 years with a children’s cancer charity translated directly to effective leadership at Blo.
• How the customer membership model drove Blo’s pandemic comeback – and how it’s now helping new ‘zees launch strong.
• Her secret to arriving at the best decisions for everyone.
• Why “Be true to yourself” should be the motto of every wanna-zee.
• Her balancing act between continuously evolving her system and focusing on execution.
• How Blo is expanding into new beauty brands – and their ‘zees are saying “take us with you!”

“When you’re protecting an emerging brand, you’re protecting the stakes of all the people who’d invested in the brand.”

From taking care of her own back pain to taking care of the owners of more than 100 Massage Heights locations, Shane (a member of the IFA board of directors) has priceless insights on building an emerging brand BIG while still keeping it all about the people -- ‘zees and customers alike.

During her conversation with Ab and Vini, Shane discusses:

• Why franchisee/franchisor communication happens at its best in a “loop.”
• Applying the “Grandma Rule” to define Massage Heights’ values and shape its culture.
• Some very specific questions for potential ‘zees to ask.
• And her contrarian POV on the “franchisees ARE entrepreneurs” theme that’s been a thread running through our first season.