Item 19 - All things Franchising

Don't Discount Your Franchise Options: Why Second Calls Matter

Blair Nicol explains why prospective franchise buyers should avoid dismissing options after a single call. He recommends building a business model, researching 3–5 franchises, and having at least two conversations with each franchisor before eliminating them. Often the best-fit franchise is one you might initially discount, so take your time, ask questions, and let experienced advisors help match you to the right opportunity.

The Funding Strategy Half of Our Clients Use (And Most People Have Never Heard Of)

In this episode Blair Nicol interviews franchisees Brad Goodlow and Gary Dodge about using ROBS (Rollover for Business Startups) to fund a franchise. They cover how the program works, typical funding timelines of around 30 days, top providers like Benetrends, setup costs, and the annual compliance process tied to the C-corp structure.

The guests share real funding experiences, tax and retirement considerations, and practical advice for anyone exploring this route, including why a solid business plan matters just as much as the financing strategy itself.

From Corner Office to Green Trucks: The Making of a Top Franchisee

Blair Nichol interviews Josh Eaton of The Junk Luggers about his journey from a tech career to multi-territory franchise owner in Oregon. They discuss starting during COVID, following the franchise playbook, and focusing on customer service.

Josh shares how running lean, investing in targeted marketing, and measuring results helped them break even in month two and earn awards like Rookie of the Year and Franchisee of the Year. He highlights the value of franchisor support and peer networks.

Parting advice: make an educated decision, don’t let fear hold you back, invest time and energy upfront, and track metrics to grow a successful franchise business.

Inside a Discovery Day: How a Stretch Studio Sealed the Deal

Host Blair Nicol talks with Joe Aguilar about his recent discovery day with iFlex/Sequel Brands, covering the in-person unit visit, corporate meetings, and the social interactions that shaped his decision to sign franchise agreements.

Joe explains his research process, what to expect during discovery day, key questions to ask, and practical advice—be about 80–90% sure before attending—along with the follow-up steps, approval, and next actions toward opening multiple units.

Funding Your Franchise: SBA Loans, ROBS & Real-World Strategies (audio)

Blair Nicol talks with Eric Schechterman of FranFund about financing a franchise: minimum liquidity to consider, comparing conventional and SBA loans, and faster alternatives like HELOCs and portfolio lines of credit.

They dive deep into ROBS (rollovers for business startups), how it works, when to use it, typical funding splits for a $200,000 example, and practical tips for combining funding sources to make a franchise purchase work.

Funding Your Franchise: SBA Loans, ROBS & Real-World Strategies

Blair Nicol talks with Eric Schechterman of FranFund about financing a franchise: minimum liquidity to consider, comparing conventional and SBA loans, and faster alternatives like HELOCs and portfolio lines of credit.

They dive deep into ROBS (rollovers for business startups), how it works, when to use it, typical funding splits for a $200,000 example, and practical tips for combining funding sources to make a franchise purchase work.

Item 19 Revealed: Franchise Legal Advice with Bob Steinberger

Attorney Bob Steinberger and host Blair Nicol break down the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD), explain key sections like Item 19, itemized fees, training, trademarks, and termination data, and discuss registration-state rules and sale/renewal considerations.