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Some of the most accomplished founders we’ve spoken to on the Entreprenista Podcast have built brands that are scalable enough to franchise.

On the Entreprenista Podcast, and inside our Entreprenista League community, Courtney and I have shared our journey of building and scaling two seven-figure businesses from the ground up, along with the lessons, challenges, and wins we've experienced along the way. While building a business from scratch was the path we chose, it's far from the only way to become a successful entrepreneur.

For many founders, franchising is one of the most powerful paths to building a sustainable, scalable business. Whether you're interested in becoming a franchise owner or growing your own business into a franchise, there's so much to learn from founders who have successfully done it before.

Owning a franchise allows you to build a business with the backing of an established brand, proven systems, and ongoing support, while still creating meaningful impact in your community as a business owner. And for founders looking to expand, franchising can be an incredible way to scale your brand and multiply your impact.

No matter which path you choose, surrounding yourself with a strong community and learning from entrepreneurs who have been there before can make all the difference.

These episodes of the Entreprenista Podcast feature some of the most successful founders and franchise leaders who have built, scaled, and grown thriving franchise businesses. Listen to learn what it really takes to create a sustainable franchise business, avoid common pitfalls, and discover whether franchising could be the right next step for your entrepreneurial journey.

1. Barre3

Sadie Lincoln, Founder

Sadie Lincoln launched Barre3 in 2008 during the financial crisis while raising two young children. Inspired by her own journey to build a healthier relationship with exercise and feel more confident in her body, she created a fitness brand centered around strength, connection, and community. Today, Barre3 has grown to more than 200 studios, with every location independently owned and operated by a woman.

From the beginning, Sadie knew she wanted to scale through franchising. After rewriting her business plan around a franchise model, she opened her first studio with a simple sign that read "Grow With Us." The response was immediate, generating franchise interest within the first year and laying the foundation for the brand's expansion.

For Sadie, franchising was never just about growth. It was about creating opportunities for other women to become business owners. As she shared on our podcast, "What I love about franchising as a growth strategy is that your financial partners are running the business." She also explained that her goal was to give women the business systems, brand, and operational support they needed so they could focus on building meaningful relationships with their teams and clients and creating a strong local community in a way that was uniquely their own.
Listen to the full episode here.

2. Rent-A-Center

Cathy Skula, Executive Vice President of Franchising

While many of our guests share what it's like to build a franchise brand from the ground up, Cathy Skula offers a different perspective. As executive vice president of Franchising at Rent-A-Center, her role is helping entrepreneurs become successful franchise owners.

Cathy began her career at Rent-A-Center in an entry-level position and spent eighteen years learning every aspect of the business before taking on the franchise division. Although she was initially hesitant to step into the role, it quickly became one of the most rewarding parts of her career. Today, she serves as the bridge between the corporate team and franchise owners, helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses while learning from the unique ideas they bring to their local markets.

On our podcast, Cathy shared what makes franchising such an appealing path for entrepreneurs, including why many franchise owners choose to diversify their portfolios by investing in multiple brands. She also talked about the balance between national brand support and local marketing, and why one of the best leadership decisions she made was hiring people whose strengths complemented her own.
Listen to the full episode here.

3. Flourish Media

Vivian Olodun, Founder

Vivian Olodun founded Flourish Media, a Miami-based marketing, training, and development franchise with a mission to help entrepreneurs build businesses that thrive online. Passionate about creating more opportunities for underrepresented founders, Vivian saw franchising as a way to expand her impact while giving other entrepreneurs access to the systems she had already built.

As a mom, Vivian was intentional about creating a business that gave her more freedom. By documenting her SOPs and building strong systems, she created a company she could run from her phone. Rather than keeping that model to herself, she franchised the business so other entrepreneurs could build successful marketing agencies while creating more flexibility in their own lives.
Listen to the full episode here.

4. P.volve

Rachel Katzman, Founder

P.volve is a functional fitness brand built around the idea of personal evolution. What started as an in-person fitness concept has grown into a nationally recognized brand with an online platform and studio franchise.

On our podcast, Rachel shared what it takes to scale a modern wellness brand, including the lessons she learned from the acquisition of her first company, the process of rebranding P.volve as the business evolved, and the marketing strategies that fueled its growth. She also discussed how influencer partnerships helped build brand awareness in the early days and why one of the most valuable leadership skills she has developed is learning to listen to understand, not just to respond.

Listen to the full episode here.

The stories behind these brands show that franchising can take many forms. For some entrepreneurs, it’s a way to scale a mission they believe in. For others, it’s a way to create opportunities for more people to become business owners. What each of these leaders has built goes beyond a business model. They have created brands that connect with people and communities in meaningful ways.

If you're exploring entrepreneurship and franchising, these conversations are a reminder that there are many paths to building a successful business. The key is finding the one that aligns with your vision, strengths, and long-term goals.

No matter which path you choose, you don't have to build it alone. The fastest path to business growth is often fueled by the right community, connections, and support. If you're ready to surround yourself with ambitious women founders who are building and scaling successful businesses, we'd love to connect. You’re invited to schedule an overview call with our team to learn more about becoming an Entreprenista League member and discover how our community can help accelerate your next chapter.