In this episode, we’re joined by Phil Mowat, Senior Franchise Consultant at Ashtons - someone who’s spent years guiding brands through the messy, exciting, occasionally painful journey of turning a good business into a great franchise.

Phil’s known for his straight-talking style and his ability to balance the commercial realities of franchising with the human side of supporting real people. And it’s that mix that ends up shaping this conversation from the very first minute.

We start in an unexpected place - Phil’s experiences with colour-blindness - and explore how the things we don’t often talk about can influence the way we make decisions, lead teams and communicate. From there, we move into travel stories, music, personal growth and the quirks that make us who we are.

Then we dig into franchising: why it’s never “just the next step,” why mindset beats method, and what Phil wishes more founders understood before they announce they’re “launching a franchise on Monday.”

We explore the reality that franchising is a second business. One that demands commitment, patience and the willingness to build relationships with clients and franchisees that go deeper than the legal agreement.

It’s a candid, human conversation about the real work behind franchising success and the personal experiences that shape the way leaders show up.

“Franchising is a second business. And it’s bloody hard. You need to be all in on it.”

The Franchised Jukebox - https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6zh6C4lgZCsjgct3phuOfC?si=62c84a26fe1b4f9b

In this episode, Deborah Salisbury, founder of The Reading Doctor, joins us to talk about building an education franchise that actually changes lives — not just for pupils, but for the teachers who run it.

Deborah shares how her 30+ years in education led to a system that works for every kind of learner — from children with Down syndrome and autism to those simply failed by traditional methods.

We dig into what makes her franchise model tick: how she supports 35 franchisees without losing the personal touch, the balance between creativity and structure, and why she’s fiercely protective of the resources she’s spent decades refining.

It’s a conversation about franchising done with purpose where relationships, systems and small daily decisions matter more than scale for the sake of it.

“If one of my franchisees hits a challenge, I don’t just fix it. I build a solution so no one has to face it again.” Deborah Salisbury

The Franchised Jukebox - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6zh6C4lgZCsjgct3phuOfC?si=62c84a26fe1b4f9b⁠

What do toddlers, menopause, franchising, and 90s dance music have in common?

Well Anne-Marie Martin the Founder of diddidance basically.

In this refreshingly real and we would say hilarious episode, our Anne-Marie and Ed dive headfirst into the chaos and joy of teaching little humans, navigating big life changes (hello, menopause), and making sense of the often misunderstood world of franchising.

From brutally honest toddlers to brutally misunderstood franchise models, nothing is off-limits. You'll hear why humour might be your best business tool, and why finding the right franchise is less about spreadsheets and more about soul-searching.

Packed with personal stories, and genuinely helpful insights, this episode is for anyone who's ever tried to build something meaningful whether it's a business, a brand, or just a dance routine that doesn't end in tears.

Expect laughs. Expect honesty. Expect the unexpected.

The Franchised Jukebox - ⁠https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6zh6C4lgZCsjgct3phuOfC?si=62c84a26fe1b4f9b⁠