Podcast Episodes
Listen in as Dave shares his best tips for every part of the franchise journey!
The Escape & Empower Podcast
Join Dave and his friend and colleague Peter Gilfillan as they explore the transformative power of franchise ownership!
Episode 1
Our First Franchise: A Journey of Two Entrepreneurs
Dave and Pete share:
- Their experiences leaving stable, high-paying corporate roles to pursue entrepreneurship
- How to partner successfully with your spouse on business decisions
- How they selected their franchises – what worked and what didn’t
- The family legacy you can create through franchising
Episode 2
Top Reasons to Choose Franchise Ownership in 2025
Dave and Pete discuss:
- Why franchising is a resilient industry
- How essential-services franchises offer economic stability for owners
- How franchising taps into technology-powered success
- The favorable financing landscape for franchises
Episode 3
Bold Moves: Investing in Business During an Economic Recession
Dave and Pete discuss:
- Why timing the market is not a smart business strategy
- How to overcome your fears about uncertainty and take charge of your financial future
- How economic downturns actually create opportunity for new business owners
Episode 4
Recognizing Ageism: Steps to Take Next
Dave and Pete discuss:
- How to recognize ageism in the workplace
- Ways to prepare for or navigate ageism, so you’re not caught short
- How to successfully start a new venture in your 50s
Episode 5
Can Your Business Survive and Thrive in a Recession?
Dave and Pete discuss:
- Ten categories of recession-resistant franchises
- The advantages of a recurring-revenue business
- How to plan ahead for success
- Why it’s impossible to time the market–and what to do instead
Episode 6
Escape the 9-to-5: The True Rewards of Entrepreneurial Freedom
Dave and Pete discuss:
- The freedom, flexibility, and purpose that come with owning a business
- The unlimited earning potential of self-employment and how to take full advantage of it
- How to use the freedom of entrepreneurship to create more balance in your life
- How entrepreneurship enables you to give back to your community
Dave had it all: a successful career, a stable income, and the respect of his peers. But deep down, he wanted something more. Little did he know that his journey to find it would be filled with twists and turns he never saw coming.
In this interview on the
Never Been Promoted podcast, Dave shares how he ultimately found fulfillment in multi-unit franchise ownership.
Listen in to learn:
- Dave’s tips for confidently making informed decisions about franchise ownership
- How to navigate the transition from a corporate job to entrepreneurship
- The success factors that can significantly impact your journey as a franchise owner
- …and more!
Growing up, Dave watched his grandfather build and run a successful family business. And though Dave initially built his own career in the corporate world, the lessons learned from his grandfather stayed with him and eventually inspired him to become an entrepreneur in his own right.
In this interview with the Nice Guys on Business podcast, Dave shares:
- What his grandfather taught him about managing fear, and how franchising helped him overcome his fear of entrepreneurship
- How franchise ownership can help entrepreneurs go beyond building wealth to gaining freedom
- Why he loves the word “empowerment” and how it’s emblematic of the franchise journey
Just over 10 years ago, Dave and Lauri faced a pivot point in their lives. Dave had just exited an executive role, and they had a decision to make: was it time to try something different? Should he take another executive role at another large corporation, or should they strike out on their own?
In this episode of the Conscious Communication podcast, Dave shares:
- How and why he and Lauri made the conscious decision to leave the corporate life for franchising
- Why W-2 employment is not as secure as everyone thinks it is
- Why it’s important to surround yourself with positive people
- …and more!