In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Jonathan Hill sits down with Wil Bangerter, Founder & CEO of Back Nine Golf, an entrepreneur who walked away from a career in law to pursue a vision that simply wouldn’t let him go. Wil opens up about the leap from attorney to founder, the steep learning curve of building a golf brand from scratch, and the realities of chasing a dream when nothing is guaranteed.He shares the personal story behind the name “Back Nine Golf,” inspired by his own experience on the course and the belief that everyone deserves a back nine worth fighting for. This conversation dives into purpose-driven risk taking, the emotional grind of entrepreneurship, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who keep you grounded. Wil’s journey is a candid playbook for founders navigating uncertainty—and a reminder that the best brands are built with equal parts passion, grit, and a good story. A must-listen for operators, franchise leaders, and anyone standing on the tee box of their next big decision.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Clement Troutman shares his journey through leadership, development, and operational growth in franchising. Drawing on years of hands-on experience, he discusses the importance of building systems that scale, emphasizing how training, consistency, and accountability help franchise teams thrive. Clement highlights the power of authentic leadership, the role of communication in franchise support, and the importance of empowering franchisees to take ownership of their success.

From developing people to refining processes, Clement offers practical insights into how culture drives performance and how successful franchisors balance brand standards with local flexibility. The episode delivers actionable takeaways for franchise founders, operators, and emerging brands focused on operational excellence, sustainable growth, and long-term partnership.

In this episode of On Brand, Slightly Off Topic, Jonathan Hill sits down with CJ McPhail, Co-Founder & CEO of Outsider Coffee in Pendleton, South Carolina. CJ and his wife, Lindsey, have built a coffee brand that pairs great caffeine with a clear mission—championing kindness, authenticity, and real human connection. Drawing on his background as an ordained pastor, speaker, and autism advocate, CJ shares the personal experiences that shaped Outsider’s “people first” ethos and the practical ways it shows up in hiring, customer experience, and community partnerships.
The conversation explores servant leadership, empathy in action, and how small gestures can catalyze big transformation. CJ’s story is a field guide for building a company that is profitable and purposeful, creating spaces where everyone feels seen, valued, and included. A must-listen for founders, operators, and leaders building values-driven brands.

Keywords

CJ McPhail, Lindsey McPhail, Outsider Coffee, Jonathan Hill, On Brand Slightly Off Topic, Pendleton South Carolina, coffee business, mission-driven business, community building, autism advocacy, small business, local business, brand storytelling, culture building, conscious capitalism, retail coffee, third place culture, entrepreneurship, business growth

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Carey Gille, Co-Founder and CEO of Franchise FastLane, the #1 franchise sales organization in the country. Carey shares her incredible journey as a serial entrepreneur, from building and selling multiple startups—including ItsDeductible, later acquired by Intuit—to leading the charge in franchising with FastLane. She opens up about the challenges and lessons of building businesses, her unique perspective as both a franchisor and franchisee, and what it takes to “responsibly drive extraordinary growth” in today’s franchise landscape. Carey also discusses the impact of private equity on FastLane, her favorite insights from mentors and books, and the personal “why” that motivates her every day. Packed with wisdom, inspiration, and stories from the front lines of entrepreneurship, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in franchising, business ownership, or scaling a brand with purpose.

Keywords

Carey Gille, Franchise FastLane, franchising, franchise development, franchise sales, franchise growth, entrepreneurship, serial entrepreneur, startup, small business, franchisor, franchisee, franchise opportunities, franchise ownership, business ownership, franchising trends, private equity, scaling a business, business strategy, sales growth, franchise success, franchise brands, franchise consulting, franchise sales organization, franchising advice, business lessons, franchising insights, franchising inspiration, leadership, women in franchising, women entrepreneurs, franchising podcast, franchising stories

Summary

In this episode, we sit down with Bron Launsby, Founder & CEO of Slick City Action Park, the world’s first indoor, waterless slide park. Bron shares his journey from being one of the largest franchisees in the Sky Zone trampoline system to launching a brand-new concept that’s redefining family entertainment.

We talk about the inspiration behind Slick City, what it takes to scale a passion project into one of the fastest-growing franchises in the country, and how Bron and his team are breaking down barriers in the entertainment space. Bron also gives an inside look at the rapid growth of Slick City—expanding to more than 60 locations in just a few short years—and the challenges and opportunities that come with building a high-thrill, high-design brand from the ground up.

Whether you’re curious about entrepreneurship, franchising, or the future of entertainment, this conversation is packed with insights, energy, and inspiration.

Keywords

Bron Launsby, Slick City, Slick City Action Park, waterless slide park, indoor entertainment, family entertainment, franchising, franchise growth, franchise development, fast-growing franchises, entrepreneurship, startup journey, Sky Zone, trampoline park, recreation industry, high-thrill attractions, innovation in entertainment, breaking barriers in franchising, passion to franchise, scaling a business, business growth, franchise opportunities, multi-unit ownership, emerging brands, franchisor, indoor attractions, action park franchise, franchising success stories, building a franchise system, family fun, sports and recreation, indoor slide park, growth strategies, franchise leadership, national expansion

Summary

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Dana Edwards Manatos, Founder & CEO of Milkshake Factory, to dive into the incredible 110-year legacy of her family business and how she’s transformed it into a modern-day franchise success story. Dana shares the inspiring journey from her great-grandparents’ corner candy shop in Pittsburgh to the national expansion of Milkshake Factory today. She opens up about growing up in the chocolate factory, the lessons learned along the way, and how family recipes continue to power the brand’s identity.

The conversation covers everything from Milkshake Factory’s cult-like following to its big break with Costco, the challenges of scaling a hospitality-driven brand, and how franchising is shaping its next chapter. Dana also talks about her personal “why,” the importance of community, and her vision for building generational legacy through chocolate, ice cream, and unforgettable experiences.

Keywords

Milkshake Factory, Dana Edwards Manatos, franchising, family business, chocolate, ice cream, legacy brand, Pittsburgh, franchise growth, Costco, hospitality, community, entrepreneurship, generational wealth, franchising success, QSR, brand expansion, dessert franchise, franchising stories, food and beverage, retail growth, women in franchising, family legacy, scaling a brand, franchise ownership, customer experience, franchise development, innovation, retail franchising, family recipes, community-driven brand

In this episode, Jonathan Hill sits down with Catherine Monson, CEO of Propelled Brands, to discuss her remarkable journey in franchising and leadership. Catherine shares her personal story of resilience, from a challenging childhood to becoming one of the most respected executives in the franchise industry. She reflects on her early experiences in family business, the lessons learned from building Sir Speedy into a national powerhouse, and her leadership through the Great Recession as CEO of FASTSIGNS.

Catherine also dives into the mission of Propelled Brands, which includes FASTSIGNS®, NerdsToGo®, MY SALON Suite®, and Salon Plaza®, and explains how she continues to drive growth while supporting franchisees. She offers insights into effective franchisor–franchisee relationships, the importance of industry advocacy, and what it means to choose to live as a “victor” rather than a victim.

Listeners will come away inspired by Catherine’s leadership philosophy, her passion for franchising, and her commitment to helping others succeed.

Keywords

Catherine Monson, Propelled Brands, FASTSIGNS, NerdsToGo, MY SALON Suite, franchise leadership, franchising, IFA, advocacy, women in franchising, business growth, entrepreneurship, resilience, leadership podcast, franchising podcast

In this episode, Julie Cartwright, President of Pvolve, shares her journey from shaping some of the fitness industry’s most iconic at-home workout programs to leading one of today’s fastest-growing, female-led fitness brands. Julie discusses the evolution of Pvolve, its unique approach to functional fitness, and how partnerships like the one with Jennifer Aniston have propelled the brand forward. She dives into the challenges of rapid growth, the trends shaping the wellness industry, and her leadership philosophy that blends innovation with authenticity. Julie also offers valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and franchise owners while reflecting on the lessons that have fueled her success.