Episodes

4 days ago
4 days ago
Modern PURAIR® has quietly dominated the Canadian indoor air quality (IAQ) space for years — and now they’re finally expanding into the United States. In this episode, founder & CEO Lane Martin shares how he scaled from a single duct truck to a nationwide IAQ brand known for world-class customer experience and a powerful sales center that converts 86% of residential calls.
We break down why the U.S. market is the perfect storm for growth, how Modern PURAIR® blends residential cash flow with commercial recurring revenue, and why this “unsexy industry” is about to boom.
Topics we cover:
• How Lane rebuilt his life and career through the IAQ industry
• Why air quality demand exploded after COVID
• The fragmented U.S. market and why that’s a huge opportunity
• Modern PURAIR®’s proprietary tech + customer experience playbook
• The power of commercial PMA contracts & HOA recurring revenue
• Why top franchisees follow the “5 decision-maker conversations/day” rule
• What the ideal franchisee looks like (and who shouldn’t apply)
If this brand sparks your interest, reach out — U.S. territory is wide open right now.
Timestamps:
00:16 – Introducing Lane Martin & Modern PURAIR®
00:54 – How Modern PURAIR® evolved from duct cleaning to full IAQ
03:08 – Lane’s family roots: the “godfather of duct cleaning”
05:49 – Lane’s comeback: debt, divorce, and restarting his life
07:54 – Launching Modern PURAIR® with a $140k duct truck
10:53 – Solopreneur vs. scaling: lessons from Lane’s dad
18:00 – Meeting Brian Scudamore & the GOT-JUNK® inspiration
23:19 – The customer experience that sets Modern PURAIR® apart
29:27 – Why the U.S. market is a massive opportunity
33:14 – Inside Modern PURAIR®’s 86% conversion sales center
Modern PURAIR® website:
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Oct 30, 2025
How WOW WindowBoxes Turned a Simple Idea Into a $5 Million Booming Franchise
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Thursday Oct 30, 2025
Discover how WOW WindowBoxes grew from a simple idea in a garage to a multi-million-dollar franchise that’s transforming the home services industry.
In this episode of Franchise Unfiltered, Wes sits down with Bret Schneider the founder and CEO of Wow Window Boxes, to talk about how a passion project turned into a $5 million brand — without subscriptions, without outside investors, and with 87% customer retention.
You’ll learn:
🌱 How Brett’s mom sparked the original idea
🚀 What changed when they finally went “all in”
💡 How Wow Window Boxes is capturing the booming “Do-It-For-Me” market
💰 Why this niche is one of the most exciting new franchise opportunities in 2025
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, franchise investor, or small business owner looking for inspiration — this story will motivate you to take the leap.
Wow Windowboxes website: https://www.wowwindowboxes.com/
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise: https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Oct 16, 2025
The Home-Services Goldmine Hiding in Your Yard
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
When most people think of franchising, they picture burgers, coffee, or car washes. But Joshua Tree Experts proves there’s massive opportunity hiding in your own backyard — literally. In this episode, Wes Barefoot sits down with Josh Malik, Founder and CEO of Joshua Tree Experts, to talk about how he built a high-growth, multi-service franchise brand around tree care, lawn care, and pest control. Josh started as a climber and crew leader, working his way up from the bottom of the industry to owning one of the most respected tree-preservation brands in the U.S. He shares how focusing on preservation over removal created recurring revenue, loyal clients, and a brand with deep roots. 🌳 You’ll learn: -Why tree preservation beats removal for long-term value -How to scale from one service line to three without confusing customers -The psychology behind pricing, upsells, and customer trust -How Joshua Tree Experts recruits and trains top arborists -The smart way to franchise an equipment-heavy business -What kind of entrepreneurs thrive in this “three-in-one” model This episode is packed with insights on branding, leadership, and building culture in blue-collar industries that are anything but boring.
👉 Learn more about Franchise Unfiltered:FranchiseUnfiltered.com
👉 Explore franchise opportunities with Wes: PathToFreedom.com 👉 Discover Joshua Tree Experts: JoshuaTreeExperts.com
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise: https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
Want help finding the right franchise?
Book a free strategy call with Wes:
https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Why Zoom Drain Might Be the Sexiest Franchise You’ve Never Considered
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Ever think the “sexiest” franchise would be… drains? In this Franchise Unfiltered episode, Wes sits down with Jim Foley, Brand President of Zoom Drain, to unpack a focused service model that’s creating massive opportunities in franchising.
You’ll learn why Zoom Drain is thriving with B2B and B2C demand, how “truck math” makes scaling predictable, and why plumbers actually refer business to Zoom Drain instead of competing with them.
Topics we cover:
-Why specializing in drains beats being a generalist
-The referral flywheel with plumbers
-How apprentices become six-figure technicians
-Predictable growth using “truck math”
-The power of consult-don’t-sell in home services
-Flat-rate pricing and a systemized playbook Whether you’re exploring franchise ownership or just curious how an “unsexy” industry turns into big business, this episode breaks it all down.
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising 🔗
Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes:
https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Studio F: The Secret Weapon Franchisors Aren’t Using (Yet)
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Thursday Sep 18, 2025
Franchisors are drowning in stale Zooms, dead Facebook groups, and unread newsletters. Enter Studio F—our internal podcast model that turns franchise communication into binge-worthy, high-engagement episodes your system will actually consume. From peer-to-peer “masterclass” wins, to hiring/retention playbooks, to FAQ Unplugged that answers once and scales forever—we show how private podcasts boost culture, speed up SOP adoption, and even power candidate marketing with repurposable clips. Featuring big-brand lessons (AmEx, PepsiCo, Keurig, Harman) and a turnkey rollout franchisors can pilot fast. If you’re a franchisor or franchisee who wants real adoption (not another email), this is your playbook. Subscribe, then grab the strategy call link in the show notes to see if Studio F fits your brand.
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise: https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising 🔗 Want help finding the right franchise?
Book a free strategy call with
Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Sep 04, 2025
He Built Club Pilates—Now He’s Back to Disrupt Franchising (Again)
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
Thursday Sep 04, 2025
What happens when the guy who built Club Pilates, UFC Gym, and a multi-billion dollar franchise empire decides to start over? 👀 Enter Anthony Geisler and Sequel Brands—the “third choice” in franchising. Forget sold-out territories and underfunded startups… this is McDonald’s-level support with ground-floor access.
In this episode, Anthony reveals:
✅ How he scaled brands from 12 units to 1,300+
✅ Why no private equity + no debt is a game changer
✅ The portfolio (Pilates Addiction, iFlex, BODY20, BEAM)
✅ And why wellness + recovery isn’t a fad—it’s the future
If you’re dreaming of owning a franchise, this convo will change how you think about what’s possible.
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Why He Chose Franchising Over Buying a Business (And Won Big)
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
Thursday Aug 21, 2025
🚀 Burned out from corporate America, Ryan ditched banking layoffs and the acquisition rat race to take control of his future. Instead of buying a business, he chose a Cabinet IQ franchise — and the results have been incredible. In this episode, Ryan shares why franchising beat acquisitions, how he scaled fast, and the systems that changed everything.
💡 If you’re tired of corporate burnout and dreaming of building something of your own, this episode shows what’s possible.
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise: https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising 🔗
Want help finding the right franchise?
Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Success

Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Cleaning Crime Scenes & Changing Lives: The Franchise You’ve Never Heard Of
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Thursday Aug 07, 2025
Most people don’t know this franchise even exists—but it’s one of the most impactful and emotionally intense businesses you’ll ever hear about. BioOne franchisees clean up crime scenes, drug houses, and trauma sites with a mission-first mindset. In this episode, Wes sits down with Danessa Itaya and Cheryl Chason to uncover the powerful, gritty, and purpose-driven world behind BioOne.
Timestamps
00:00 – What is BioOne?
02:30 – “Help First, Business Second” philosophy
06:45 – How Cheryl got into crime scene cleaning
08:50 – Why they left corporate jobs for franchising
12:00 – Juggling multiple franchises
17:00 – The mission behind BioOne
22:15 – Drug remediation & industry regulations
29:30 – How to find and keep great technicians
37:00 – Getting out of the day-to-day grind
46:00 – The machine that detects drugs in 8 seconds
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
#TraumaCleanup #Franchise #BioOne

Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Is This the Smartest Food Franchise Model in America?
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
Thursday Jul 24, 2025
🍕 Is This the Smartest Food Franchise Model in America?
Cascadia Pizza might just be the best-kept secret in franchising.
In this episode, Thomas Reinhard, co-founder of Cascadia Pizza Co., breaks down how they turned a mobile wood-fired pizza truck into a booming franchise with brick-and-mortar stores, high-margin catering, and massive community buzz — all while offering a launch runway in just 12 weeks.
We cover:
Why small towns are outperforming big cities
How one high schooler became a franchise owner
Why Gen Z is fighting for jobs here
What makes this model different from every other food franchise you've seen
And how Cascadia is redefining pizza as “affordable luxury”
If you're curious about business ownership, community-driven growth, or building something fun and profitable, you don't want to miss this.
🎯 16–20% net margins | 🚛 Mobile-first launch | 👨👩👧👦 Family-friendly & community-focused
00:00 – Is This the Smartest Food Franchise Model in America?
01:26 – What Makes Cascadia Pizza So Unique
03:50 – From Law School to Pizza Franchise Co-Founder
06:45 – The Unexpected Path to Franchising
08:37 – How the First Franchisee Launched with Success
11:32 – Who Should (and Shouldn't) Own a Cascadia Franchise
13:29 – Why Small Towns Are a Secret Weapon
16:09 – Pizza as “Affordable Luxury” and a Community Magnet
22:33 – How to Launch with a Food Truck in Just 12 Weeks
42:52 – Cascadia’s Impressive 16–20% Profit Margins Explained
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
Cascadia Pizza: https://www.cascadiapizzafranchising.com/
#Franchise #Podcast #FranchiseUnfiltered

Thursday Jul 10, 2025
How a $20K Fitness Contest Launched Her Franchise Journey
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Thursday Jul 10, 2025
Raisa Zovklaya didn’t have the money to start a franchise—so she entered a $20K fitness contest. She lost… but kept going anyway. In this episode, Wes sits down with Raisa to unpack her bold leap from nursing into franchise ownership with Project Lean Nation, how she funded it, built community, and found purpose. This is what betting on yourself really looks like.
⏱️ Timestamps:
00:00 – Wes mispronounces Raisa’s last name 😅
00:44 – Meet Raisa: Ukrainian-born, Syracuse-raised
05:13 – From CrossFit curiosity to franchise opportunity
06:50 – The $20K fitness contest that sparked everything
09:40 – Losing the contest but refusing to quit
11:15 – High-interest loan → franchise fee paid
13:30 – Choosing the perfect location with Tim
18:45 – What Project Lean Nation actually does
22:00 – Why passion, not profit, drove her decision
29:50 – Burnout, delegation, and team building
37:00 – How community and networking fuel real growth
45:10 – Why she says: “If you're in it just to open a business, this isn’t for you.”
55:00 – Her vision for store #2 (and beyond)
7 Steps to Owning a Franchise:
https://path2frdm-1.hubspotpagebuilder.com/path-to-freedom-about-franchising
🔗 Want help finding the right franchise? Book a free strategy call with Wes: https://calendly.com/wes-barefoot/introcallwithwes
Connect with Wes:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/path2frdm/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/path2frdm
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesleybarefoot/
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