Franchise Interviews 4.0
Welcome to Franchise Interviews weekly podcast and radio show. If you ever dreamed of one day owning your own business, then you have come to the right place. Listen to detailed interviews/podcasts with some of the most informative sources on the topics of franchising and entrepreneurship. People are hungry for good vital content (Keyes, 2009). To date, we have recorded over 850 interviews on our weekly franchise radio show with some of the top franchisors, franchise experts, franchise attorneys, franchisees, and franchise authors. You can even listen to our shows based on the category of interest on our website at https://www.franchiseinterview.com We have met with some exciting new franchise concepts as well as some of the biggest names in franchising. As a visitor to our website, all you have to do is click and listen. So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and enjoy. It’s no problem if you can’t listen to the live show. Each show is recorded and immediately placed in our library of audio archives. To date, we have had over a quarter of a million listeners! Franchise Interviews is hosted by Dr. Martin J. McDermott. You will also here clips from Martin J. McDermott’s upcoming book, Rock Star MBA.
Episodes

2 hours ago
2 hours ago
Building Legacies: The Backyard Wealth Franchise Journey
In this episode, we sit down with Backyard Wealth, a premier real estate education franchise dedicated to turning everyday consumers into savvy investors. We explore how their comprehensive curriculum—covering everything from first-time home buying to multi-unit investing—empowers individuals to master the market. Plus, we dive into their "Business Makeover" seminar, designed specifically for entrepreneurs looking to launch a new venture or scale an existing one to peak profitability.
https://www.franchiseinterviews.com
https://www.rockstarmba.com

3 days ago
3 days ago
How do you break into a multi-trillion dollar industry and actually own the space? Today, we’re talking to Reena Bhatia of BidExecs about a franchise model that lets you leverage your local influence and professional know-how to build a powerhouse in contract management. It’s the perfect transition for military officers and consultants ready to take the reins of their own future. Plus, stick around for part two as we revisit some wisdom from our Great Quotes in Franchising podcast

Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
Tuesday Jan 27, 2026
The AI hosts at Google NotebookLM take a deep dive into Dr. Martin J. McDermott's analysis on the film Deliver Me From Nowhere to extract professional insights from Bruce Springsteen’s creative process during the recording of his album Nebraska. The author highlights how innovation stems from courage and conviction rather than high-end technology, noting that Springsteen chose to release a raw, experimental project despite having more commercial hits ready.
Central to this analysis is the iceberg metaphor, which illustrates that a person's visible behaviors often mask deep-seated mental health struggles and personal history. Consequently, the text emphasizes that empathy is a vital leadership trait because it allows managers to support the invisible challenges their employees face. Ultimately, these sources argue that the intersection of artistic integrity and emotional intelligence offers profound lessons for modern business leadership.
Rock Star MBA - 77 Untapped Lessons on Life, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, & Leadership from Rock Stars
What if the secrets to life and business success weren't found just in boardrooms, textbooks, and journal articles, but on backstage passes and stages? Rock Star MBA shares the untapped knowledge and wisdom acquired by rock stars and artists. While the book primarily focuses on stars from the hard rock genre, it also features a diverse range of artists, including actors, painters, and musicians from other genres. After decades of pursuing their craft, Dr. McDermott noticed that many performers had become wise individuals with interesting perspectives on life, business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership that could and should be shared in the classroom. Reading this book will allow you to apply their wisdom, success strategies, best practices, and unique viewpoints. This book challenges you to see the world differently— where art and business are not opposites, but complementary ways of understanding creativity, value, and human connection.
Class is now in session!
www.RockStarMBA.com

Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
Hi everyone, and welcome to a special edition of Franchise Interviews. Over the last few weeks, we’ve been diving deep into the world of social media marketing for franchisors and franchisees.
Today, we’re joined by Sophie Nguyen, the CEO of So Gold Marketing. Sophie’s journey began in 2013 at Purdue University, where she spent three years building their online presence through real-time community engagement. Seeking a faster pace, she moved to Silicon Valley to launch her own agency, So Gold Marketing.
At its core, So Gold is about human connection. Their clients often say it best: Sophie and her team have a genuine interest in growing your business, believing that their success is entirely dependent on yours.
Stay tuned for the interview, and stick around for Part Two, where we’ll share a featured clip from our Great Quotes in Franchising series. Sophie, welcome to the show!
www.franchiseinterviews.com
2/13/2020

Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
Wednesday Jan 21, 2026
This Deep Dive Podcast explores the concept that innovation is often unnecessary because established paths to achievement already exist. By examining the Rock Star MBA framework, the author illustrates how professionals can mirror the proven strategies of music icons and successful corporations to avoid common failures. The sources emphasize that following a "map"—whether through franchising, mentorship, or revitalizing classic ideas—allows individuals to reach their goals more efficiently. Marketing tactics, such as the Marlboro Strategy, further demonstrate how adopting an existing archetype can drastically pivot a brand's trajectory. Ultimately, the text argues that studying historical mistakes and mimicking the "recipes" of predecessors provides a reliable shortcut to personal and professional growth. This approach suggests that true progress comes from refining and applying lessons that have already been validated by others.
Class is in session - www.rockstarmba.com

Monday Jan 12, 2026
Monday Jan 12, 2026
NYC Recording - Untapped Lessons on Entrepreneurship from Artists Presented by Dr. Martin J. McDermott, Monday, December 22, 2025, 5PM EST, Thomas Yoseloff Business Center Stavros Niarchos Foundation LibraryOverviewDiscover entrepreneurship through the arts, not just boardrooms or textbooks.**This event will be online only**Discover entrepreneurship through the arts, not just boardrooms or textbooks.Martin J. McDermott discusses how to apply creative artists' insights to boost your business skills.Topics covered include -Life Lessons on Entrepreneurship from ArtistsEntrepreneurial TypesCreative EntrepreneurshipBootstrappingCrowd fundingKeeping ScoreInnovation
Rock Star MBA - 77 Untapped Lessons on Life, Business, Marketing, Entrepreneurship, & Leadership from Rock StarsWhat if the secrets to life and business success weren't found just in boardrooms, textbooks, and journal articles, but on backstage passes and stages? Rock Star MBA shares the untapped knowledge and wisdom acquired by rock stars and artists. While the book primarily focuses on stars from the hard rock genre, it also features a diverse range of artists, including actors, painters, and musicians from other genres. After decades of pursuing their craft, Dr. McDermott noticed that many performers had become wise individuals with interesting perspectives on life, business, marketing, entrepreneurship, and leadership that could and should be shared in the classroom. Reading this book will allow you to apply their wisdom, success strategies, best practices, and unique viewpoints. This book challenges you to see the world differently— where art and business are not opposites, but complementary ways of understanding creativity, value, and human connection. Class is now in session!www.RockStarMBA.com

Saturday Jan 10, 2026
Saturday Jan 10, 2026
The "Future of Work" FocusBest for attracting entrepreneurs interested in tech trends and scalable business models.
Title: Revolutionizing IT Support in the Hybrid Era with Rick Porter
In this episode of Franchise Interviews, we sit down with Rick Porter, President and Founder of Cinch I.T. The workplace has changed forever. With remote and hybrid models now the standard for millions, the demand for "anywhere, anytime" tech support has skyrocketed. Cinch I.T. is meeting this moment by offering businesses a smarter alternative to expensive in-house departments.
What we discuss:
The Scalability of Managed IT: How Cinch I.T. provides enterprise-level support to businesses of all sizes.
The Remote Reality: Why 45% of the workforce staying remote creates a massive opportunity for franchisees.
Built-in Reliability: Ensuring confidence in cloud computing when there is "no room for error."
Bonus Segment: Stick around for Part Two, where we share a highlight from our Great Quotes in Franchising series!

Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Saturday Jan 03, 2026
Enterprise Power, Local Heart: Scaling CMIT Solutions with Jeff Connally
How do you provide enterprise-level IT to small businesses without losing the personal touch? In this episode, we sit down with Jeff Connally, President and CEO of CMIT Solutions, to discuss how they’ve built a powerhouse network of over several hundred locations across North America.
We dive into the "secret sauce" that has kept CMIT at the top of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Franchise 500 list for six years running and how they serve as a bridge between big tech and the SMB market. Plus, stay tuned for Part 2, where we revisit a classic segment from our Great Quotes in Franchising archives!

Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Wednesday Dec 31, 2025
Today, we’re revisiting a true pioneer in our archives. Joining us is Ron McArthur, President of WSI—a company that holds a special place in our history as our second-ever guest on World Talk Radio. WSI has been at the forefront of digital transformation since 1995. As businesses navigate an increasingly complex digital landscape, they seek more than service providers - they need strategic advisors who can guide them through digital evolution and AI adoption. WSI has built the world's largest network of digital and AI consultants to meet this need.

Monday Dec 29, 2025
Monday Dec 29, 2025
Join us for an insightful conversation with Charles Furlough, President and CEO of Pillar To Post—North America’s leading home inspection franchise with a network of over 550 locations. At its core, Pillar To Post believes every homebuyer deserves a clear understanding of their future home’s story. Their comprehensive inspections cover everything from the roof to the foundation, providing clients with the clarity and confidence needed for a successful purchase.
Discussion Highlights:
The Tech Revolution: With over two decades of experience, Charles examines how technology has fundamentally transformed the accuracy and efficiency of home inspections.
Adaptive Leadership: Insights into leading through market volatility and the essential skills required to stay ahead in an evolving landscape.
Proven Resilience: Strategic lessons on navigating economic downturns and converting market challenges into growth opportunities.
Scaling the Model: A look at the culture of innovation and support that has fueled Pillar To Post’s expansive franchise growth.
Stay tuned for Part Two, featuring a highlighted segment from the "Great Quotes in Franchising Podcast" (August 2024).







