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

In this powerful episode, we dive into business, wellbeing, and the realities of franchise ownership with Fiona Marshall, a Swimtime franchisee who’s making waves in her local community.

Fiona opens up about the challenges of running a franchise, the emotional toll it can take, and how swimming, both as a sport and a business, has helped her and others find clarity, confidence, and connection.

From the mental health benefits of getting in the water to the importance of creating a supportive, authentic business culture, this episode is all about helping franchisees stop drowning… and start living.

Expect honest chat, heartfelt moments, and a refreshing take on what it really means to run a values-driven business.

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

We speak with Emma Bentley from Stagecoach Chichester, who started her franchise at the age of 26 a few weeks before she received a life changing diagnosis.

We talk about all things franchising, personal growth, and the impact of life experiences on decision-making.

We share emotional moments from award ceremonies, discuss the dynamics of family relationships in business, and explore the challenges and successes of running a franchise.

The chat also touches on the importance of safeguarding children in educational settings, the misconceptions surrounding franchising, and the need for better engagement with younger generations.

Emma's Track that best describes her - The Good Life by Tony Bennett

You can check out all the tracks on The Franchised Jukebox here: ⁠https://www.thefranchised.com/community/jukebox/

The Franchised Podcast kicks off with a bit of chaos, as Ben Brookes the Managing Director of Agency Express flips the script and starts by interviewing Ed! But it’s good chaos. The kind that sets the tone for an honest, open chat about what really matters in franchising and beyond.

Together, they dig into the behind-the-scenes reality of growing a franchise network, the mental pressures that come with leadership, and why vulnerability and authenticity make all the difference. It’s a conversation full of energy, insight and those moments that make you nod along in agreement.

They also touch on their shared love of music, from punk beginnings to tracks that hit deep and how it all ties back to the stories we carry, both in business and in life.

Ben's Track that best describes him - Fast Car by Tracy Chapman

You can check out all the tracks on The Franchised Jukebox here: https://www.thefranchised.com/community/jukebox/

What is The Franchised Podcast all about?

It's all about "Banging the Drum for Franchising"

Ed explains more on that in this "Trailer" if you can call it that, but you might just do better to save yourself 60 seconds of your day and just hit the "Follow/Subscribe" button to be notified about when the first episode is live!

It's a banger!

(Or just track Ed down on LinkedIn and ask him to email you when it's live...he'll love that.)

Enjoy the podcast and let us know what you think in the comments!