SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 9

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we help you become preferred in the markets you serve. If you thought the flower business was quaint, slow, or low-tech, get ready for a wake-up call. Our guest today is Michael Jacobson, CEO of French Florist. He didn't just take over an old business; he engineered a dramatic transformation. Starting from a struggling $600,000 operation, he built a high-performance franchise model that now generates millions in annual revenue and triples the profitability of traditional flower shops. Michael’s mastery is the fusion of timeless artistry with modern operational technology.

In this episode, Michael is going to share his framework on how to spot a broken business model ready for 10x growth and how to design a high-tech performance franchise that protects quality while maximizing margins.

If you’re ready to learn how to apply disruptive tech and scalable systems to any industry, old or new, you’ve come to the right place. Join me for my conversation with Michael Jacobson.

Guest Bio:

What’s possible in one of the world’s oldest industries. Under Michael Jacobson's leadership, French Florist has transformed the traditional flower shop model by putting technology, innovation, and operational excellence at the heart of its franchise system. The results speak for themselves: French Florist franchise locations generate triple the revenue of standard flower shops—while operating at higher margins.

With a career spanning entrepreneurship, investment, and leadership, Michael is passionate about helping the next generation of business owners succeed through entrepreneurship through acquisition (ETA). He brings a fresh perspective to how small business ownership can be reinvented for the modern age, leveraging digital tools, streamlined operations, and strong brand strategy to unlock sustainable growth.

Michael’s mission is simple: to empower franchise owners with a proven system that blends timeless beauty with cutting-edge innovation. Whether speaking about the future of franchising, how technology reshapes consumer-facing industries, or why flowers are a surprisingly powerful business opportunity, Michael shares candid insights that inspire entrepreneurs to think bigger and build smarter.

Resource Links:

1. Website: https://www.frenchflorist.com
2. Product Link: https://frenchfloristfranchise.com/

Insight Gold Timestamps:

03:53 I found that intersection between how to live a purposeful life and a life full of intentionality

09:08 We're in the business of love

10:02 You've coined a phrase, entrepreneurship through acquisition and creative playbook

12:27 We want to build something for the world that's kind of fun and cool

19:33 It was really cool, just solving actual real pain points

20:01 The root of everything is how do we enhance the client experience?

25:16 As a franchisor, our primary responsibility is creating a community of owners

26:49 95% of startups fail

27:43 What I look for is what's your why?

29:23 How do you avoid getting distracted by shiny objects?

30:35 Saying no is more important than saying yes

31:39 Tom Peters, who's the management guru, who wrote In Search of Excellence

34:56 What we want to do from a feelings...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 9

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast where we focus on the mindset and strategies that help you become preferred in the markets you serve.

Our guest today has built a legacy on that very concept. For over 30 years, he co-founded and grew 1-800-DENTIST, a company that generated over one billion dollars in revenue by solving a simple, painful customer problem. He's an expert in making a brand remarkable.

But here's the kicker: He’s spent the last decade distilling that business success into a personal superpower that anyone can learn.

Fred Joyal is the Wall Street Journal bestselling author of Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days.

Fred has the rare experience of both conquering a niche industry and teaching the mindset to repeat that process. Get ready to learn how to inject boldness into your business, your team, and your life. Join me for my conversation with Fred Joyal.

Guest Bio:

Fred Joyal is the co-founder of Futuredontics, the parent company of 1-800-DENTIST, which, over 30 years, generated over $1 billion in revenue. He is currently a business advisor and keynote speaker. His latest book, Superbold: From Under-Confident to Charismatic in 90 Days, is an Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestseller. He is also the author of two books for the dental industry, Everything is Marketing: The Ultimate Strategy for Dental Practice Growth, and Becoming Remarkable: How to Create a Dental Practice Everyone Talks About.

Fred has been a keynote speaker for his industry for over 15 years, and now speaks on the power of boldness and how anyone can harness it to radically increase their success and fulfillment in life. His humble brags are he once beat Sir Richard Branson in chess and was also a question on Jeopardy.

Resource Links:

1. Website: https://www.fredjoyal.com
2. Product Link: https://www.amazon.com/Superbold-Under-Confident-Charismatic-90-Days/dp/1544523076

Insight Gold Timestamps:

02:25 I got introduced to the advertising world by a friend of mine who was a storyboard artist

05:49 When you create a great culture, the employees sustain it

08:27 We were smart about the advertising, but the marketing side was to create that first impression

09:26 With any business, you've got to identify the problem

09:37 That's why the title of my first book was Everything is Marketing

11:08 The more senses you can...

SEASON: 6 EPISODE: 8

Episode Overview:

Welcome back to Becoming Preferred, the podcast dedicated to helping you reach your highest professional potential. Today, we're talking about the ultimate business credential: the high-impact non-fiction book.

Our guest has mastered the art of turning expertise into intellectual property. He's a #1 national bestselling author himself, a Harvard-trained scholar, and the CEO of a firm that helps public figures and top professionals land deals with major publishers. He is the person leading literary agents and corporate leaders call when the message must be perfect.

Kevin Anderson is here to reveal the secrets to leveraging your knowledge. He'll show you why a quality book is the single most effective way to elevate your authority, attract premium clients, and transform your business model.

If you have a powerful message that needs to be heard, Kevin is the bridge between your expertise and the bestseller list. Let's learn how to make your book the foundation of your legacy. Join me for my conversation with Kevin Anderson.

Guest Bio:

Kevin is an accomplished ghostwriter, #1 national-bestselling author, editor, and entrepreneur with a wealth of industry knowledge and professional experience. He has worked with numerous bestselling and award-winning authors, prominent literary agents, Big-5 publishers, and a long list of public figures, successful professionals, and aspiring authors. He is also a contributing author by invitation to Publishers Weekly’s Book Publishing Almanac 2022: A Master Class in the Art of Bringing Books to Readers and the author of the #2 Wall Street Journal, #1 Barnes & Noble, and #1 Amazon bestseller, PhDone: A Professional Dissertation Editor’s Guide to Writing Your Doctoral Thesis and Earning Your PhD.

Both a creative writer and a scholar, Kevin earned his master’s degree at Harvard University with a concentration in literary theory and criticism. While at Harvard, he studied under Poet Laureate and critical theorist, Professor Michael D. Jackson, and honed the literary criticism skills upon which he built his career in the book-writing and editing business.

As CEO and Editor-in-Chief, Kevin oversees all operations at our firm. He enjoys working closely with clients and makes himself readily available by