Podcast: Being a MilkShake Factory franchisee + franchise consultant

My wife Julie and I were recently asked to be guests on the Women's Money Wisdom podcast after Melissa, the host, saw our recent social media posts about opening a new Milkshake Factory location here in Ann Arbor. We enjoyed telling the story of how we first stumbled across the Milkshake Factory in Pittsburgh and how the opportunity to be a franchisee here in our hometown later presented itself. 

I also spoke about each of my dual roles — being both a franchise consultant and a franchisee myself. 

Here are some key takeaways:

• A franchise consultant is a matchmaker: I'll guide you through a complex decision landscape — and be your advocate throughout the process.

• Expect the unexpected: Many successful franchisees end up choosing a brand that wasn't even on their radar.

• Franchising is trending for mid-career pros: People ages 45–55 are increasingly turning to franchising to take control of their next professional chapter.

• Validation is critical: Talking to existing franchisees — known as "validation" — is one of the most important (and most overlooked) steps in the process.

• Local marketing matters: Julie shares the ways we're building awareness for our MilkShake Factory location through a grassroots, community-centered approach.

Whether you're just starting to explore franchising or are already seriously considering business opportunities, this episode delivers practical advice and honest reflections based on our experiences.

🎧 See the full episode of the Women’s Money Wisdom podcast to learn more about our journey and how franchising might be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.