Behind the Scenes: What I Learned From a Franchise Deal (and Why I Walked Away)

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Ever wonder what actually goes on behind closed doors in a fitness franchise deal?

In this episode, I’m sharing the real story of when I almost opened a boutique franchise—and what I learned about the systems, expectations, and financial commitments that come with it. From a $25K pre-opening marketing budget to 8% franchise fees and no territory protection, I break down what shocked me (and what didn’t), why I ultimately said no, and how that experience completely reshaped how I lead and scale my own business.

Whether you’re a yoga studio owner, Pilates teacher, or service-based entrepreneur, this episode will help you rethink how you're building your business—and why ownership, structure, and scalable strategy matter more than ever.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• The real numbers behind franchise ownership: what’s required before day one
• How corporate models bake in mentorship, sales goals, and marketing systems
• Why paying 8% to someone else might be the wake-up call to invest in your own brand
• Two non-negotiables that made me walk away from the deal
• How one decision I made in anticipation of the franchise helped me scale faster than ever
• The difference between running a business and owning a brand

This episode is for you if…

• You’re a wellness entrepreneur ready to lead like a true CEO
• You’ve been operating without a solid marketing or sales strategy
• You want to build something that’s scalable and sustainable
• You’ve been considering franchising, or you’re curious how it works

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