In this episode of FranchiseU!, Dr. Kathy Gosser speaks with Kenny Rose the Founder and CEO of FranShares. After Rose shares his experience on the TV game show, The Price Is Right, Gosser and Rose discuss how franchises represent amazing investment opportunities and uniquely benefit investors, operators, and local communities.

FranShares is an innovative investment platform democratizing access to franchise ownership. With over a decade of experience in finance and franchising, Rose has worked with over 600 franchise brands across 100+ industries. As a Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) with the International Franchise Association (IFA), Rose is recognized for his expertise in franchise evaluation and deploying capital to maximize returns and operational efficiency.

Rose began his career at Merrill Lynch after earning a degree in Financial Services from San Diego State University. While there, he acquired his FINRA Series 7 and Series 66 licenses and specialized in wealth management for high-net-worth individuals. His passion for entrepreneurship led him to join the world’s largest franchise brokerage, where he guided aspiring franchise owners through the evaluation and acquisition process. He later founded Semfia, a brokerage focused on income-generating, manager-run franchises.

Under Rose’s leadership, FranShares bridges the gap between investors and the franchise economy, fostering wealth creation through fractional franchise investments. His insights on franchising have been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, ABC, The Hustle, American Express, and the Amazon-featured book, “More Than Just French Fries.” His work has reached over 300 million people worldwide.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy speaks with Onyi Odunukwe. The discuss Odunukwe’s unique journey from studying nursing to becoming a successful entrepreneur in the tanning salon industry as CEO of Glo Tanning.

Despite initial family disapproval and an industry marred by bad press, Odunukwe’s perseverance led him to build over 100 salons that offer a range of services beyond tanning, including red light therapy. Odunukwe’s emphasizes the importance of technology in running Glow Salons efficiently, the need for franchisees to become or provide committed operators, and his own innovative business model leveraging real estate. Odunukwe also discusses the challenges of staffing and the 'Own Your Future' program, which helps employees become store owners. The episode sheds light on the significance of relationships in franchising and maintaining high standards and low costs for services.

In this episode of FranchiseU!, Kathy discusses the critical role of family-owned businesses in the global economy with Dr. Isabel Botero, an expert in family business and a professor at the University of Louisville. Dr. Botero shares her insights on the unique challenges and opportunities faced by family-owned franchises, emphasizing the importance of early preparation, effective communication, and strategic planning for generational transitions. The conversation covers topics including onboarding the next generation, fostering collaboration among siblings, and the impact of family dynamics on business operations. Dr. Botero also highlights the significance of involving children in the business from a young age and she provides practical advice for current business owners on how to mentor and gradually involve their successors. The episode aims to equip franchise owners with essential strategies to ensure their family business thrives across generations. If you have any questions about Family Business and Franchising, send me an email to franchisemgmt@louisville.edu.