Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave get real about fear. They unpack the specific anxieties executives face when leaving corporate life, then show how to replace ambiguity with facts, build a calculated plan, and move forward with momentum. If you have been stuck between comfort and calling, this one gives you a practical path to act with confidence.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

Name the Fear to Tame the Fear
Write down exactly what scares you: losing money, uncertainty, or judgment. Awareness shrinks the monster.

Replace Anxiety with Facts
Education beats ambiguity. Use data, validation calls, and real numbers to make clear decisions.

Start Small and Take Calculated Risks
Match investment to your comfort range. Use capital-efficient models and structured rollouts.

Build a Support Network
Franchisors, franchisees, mentors, and coaches help you avoid mistakes and accelerate wins.

Redefine Failure as Feedback
Test, learn, adjust. Fail fast without betting the farm, then try the next best move today.

Protect Your Energy
Cold showers, workouts, meditation, and scheduled recovery keep you sharp for the long game.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is normal. Action is optional. Choose action.
• Facts, not feelings, drive smart entrepreneurial decisions.
• Small, planned steps compound into confidence and results.
• You are not alone. The right network multiplies your progress.
• Self-care is strategy. Protect the operator to protect the business.

“Fear is a lot of times false evidence appearing real.” — Peter Gilfillan

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with Pete Gilfillan and Dave Greenberg

In this episode, Pete and Dave break down the hard truth about ageism in corporate America and map out a practical alternative: franchising. They share first-hand stories, the latest realities executives face in their 40s, 50s, and 60s, and how to convert decades of leadership into business ownership that you control.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

Ageism Is Real
From being “restructured” to stalled promotions, why experienced leaders get squeezed and what that means for your next move.

A Parallel Path Out
How to explore franchising while you are still in a W2 search, so you are not waiting on someone else’s timeline.

Transferable Executive Skills
Leadership, financial acumen, KPI discipline, and executing proven systems that directly translate to top franchise performance.

Control and Flexibility
Design your calendar, set your priorities, and decide how big is big through single or multi-unit growth.

Resilient Industries
Why categories like home services, senior care, wellness, and aesthetics offer durable demand and clear scalability.

Key takeaways:

• If you are over 50, you have a number on your back. Build optionality now.
• Franchising lets you swap capped pay for equity, scale, and saleable value.
• Your corporate toolkit is an asset in a proven playbook business.
• Start in your comfort range, validate with franchisees, grow by plan.
• Do not wait for HR to decide your future. Decide it yourself.

“At age fifty-one, I got hit with ageism right in the face.” — Dave Greenberg

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave unpack why more executives are walking away from corporate comfort to build ownership freedom. Drawing from a recent CNBC article and their own client experiences, they break down how fear, burnout, and ageism are driving leaders to make the shift—and how franchising offers a structured, scalable path forward.

If you’ve ever felt comfortable but not secure, this episode will challenge your definition of stability and show you why entrepreneurship is the smarter move.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

• The End of Job Security
  Corporate loyalty is gone. Executives are now just numbers in a system built for layoffs and mergers.
• Taking Control of Financial Destiny
  Salary bands and bonuses limit growth. Ownership removes caps and creates real wealth potential.
• Work-Life Balance and Personal Freedom
  Entrepreneurship means designing your schedule—and your life—on your own terms.
• Leveraging Corporate Skills for Direct Impact
  Leadership, strategy, and management experience translate seamlessly into franchise ownership success.
• Building Legacy and Generational Wealth
  Ownership creates something to pass on—financially, culturally, and personally.

Key Takeaways:

• Corporate comfort is not security—it’s stagnation in disguise.
• Business ownership gives executives control over income, time, and future.
• Franchising lets you apply your corporate skills to build real equity.
• Diversification and scalability protect against economic uncertainty.
• Legacy comes from ownership—not titles, salaries, or stock options.

“You can’t control the corporate world—but you can control your own. Ownership is the path to real freedom.” — David Greenberg

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/