Entrepreneurship, franchising, and business growth - Welcome to Episode 119 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow sit down with special guest Andrew Edwards, proud president of Gorilla Property Services. Andrew Edwards shares his inspiring journey from driving 3,000 miles with little experience to building a top Canadian franchise brand.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

- The bold leap Andrew Edwards took into entrepreneurship and franchising

- The grit, resilience, and risk-taking behind launching a business with no roadmap

- Building and scaling Gorilla Property Services into a rapidly growing franchise

- The unique culture of support and collaboration within the franchise network

- Practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs about committing fully and jumping in

Don’t miss this conversation about resilience, relationships, and what it really takes to become an "Unpredicted Entrepreneur." Subscribe for more insights and inspiration!

Contact information & Free resources:

Contact Andrew Edwards - andrew@gorillapservices.com

Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/

Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/

Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw

Discover more about our franchise consulting at https://www.frannet.com/

Chapters for this episode:

00:00:00 Introduction: Diving Into Entrepreneurship

00:01:04 Meet Andrew Edwards

00:01:30 Andrew’s Entrepreneurial Beginnings

00:04:03 Entering Franchising & Early Struggles

00:06:14 Breaking Into the Restoration Market

00:08:52 Growing the Business & Successful Exit

00:09:59 Joining Gorilla Property Services

00:11:02 Transforming Culture & Systems

00:12:22 Scaling Across Canada & U.S. Expansion

00:13:01 Testing the Market & Service Overview

00:13:41 What Gorilla Property Services Does

00:17:09 Company Culture & Franchisee Support

00:20:26 Getting Started: How to Join

00:20:50 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

00:22:38 How to Contact Andrew

00:23:40 Closing Remarks

#entrepreneurship #franchisesuccess #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseopportunities #franchising

Welcome to episode 118 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Discover how SCORE mentorship can empower small business owners and entrepreneurs as hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow sit down with Bill Little, chapter chair of SCORE Dallas. With over 25 years in senior leadership at major companies and firsthand experience running a small business, Bill Little shares insights on planning, process, and the real journey from idea to execution.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

- How SCORE connects entrepreneurs with expert mentors in every business area

- Bill Little’s transition from corporate leadership to small business and mentorship

- Real success stories from SCORE clients and the impact of mentorship

- Free resources, business planning tools, and workshops available to entrepreneurs

- Why process, flexibility, and community make all the difference for small business owners

Ready for expert advice to turn your business idea into reality? Watch now and start building your path to success!

Make sure to subscribe to the @yourlocalfranchiseexperts YouTube channel to stay updated.

Contact information and Free resources:

Score Mentors (Dallas) - Free business planning tools, resources, and workshops: https://www.score.org/tx/dallas/

Additional business plan templates and grant resources: https://www.thefundingtrail.com/

Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/

Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/

Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw

Chapters for this episode:

00:00:00 Introduction & Welcome

00:01:11 Meet Bill Little

00:02:07 Bill’s Background & Path to Mentorship

00:04:38 Bill’s Consulting Business

00:05:19 Types of SCORE Mentors

00:06:27 Unique Mentor Examples

00:09:39 What Does SCORE Cost?

00:11:02 When to Reach Out to SCORE

00:13:11 SCORE as Your Team & Support System

00:14:13 Success Stories from SCORE

00:15:40 SCORE’s Nationwide Network

00:17:19 Free Tools & Business Plan Resources

00:19:59 Bill's Top Tip for Entrepreneurs

00:22:21 Flexibility & Learning in Franchising

00:23:05 Franchisor Culture & Fit

00:24:26 How to Connect with SCORE

00:25:15 Closing Remarks

Welcome to Episode 117 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Join hosts Roxanne Rapske and Sara Waskow as they sit down with special guest Laura Bradburn, owner of Outdoor Lighting Perspectives South Orange County, and known as Laura the Lighting Lady. After nearly 30 years in corporate America, Laura reinvented her career, embracing entrepreneurship and creative freedom.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

- Transitioning from a long corporate career to business ownership

- Leveraging diverse skills and experience in franchising

- Building a service business as a woman in a male-dominated industry

- Practical tips on hiring, managing employees, and family involvement in your business

- Lessons in branding, standing out in your market, and creating client relationships

Don’t forget to like and subscribe to the @yourlocalfranchiseexperts YouTube channel, and check out the links below for more resources on franchising and entrepreneurship!

Contact Laura Bradburn at 949-523-3936. You can also view her work online at https://www.outdoorlights.com/oc. If she's in the field and unable to answer, an AI assistant named Sarah will take your information, and they will call you back within an hour.

Connect with Sara Waskow - https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarawaskow/

Connect with Roxanne Rapske- https://www.linkedin.com/in/roxannerapske/

Would you like to learn more about our FREE Franchising Resources? Use this link to receive all of the information: https://linktr.ee/Frannetdfw

Chapters for this episode:

00:00:00 Laura's Unpredicted Career Pivot

00:01:55 From Landscape Architecture to Corporate America

00:03:18 The Impact of Covid and Revaluation

00:04:48 Translating Corporate Skills to Business Ownership

00:06:06 "Who Not How" and Playing to Strengths

00:08:11 Becoming "Laura the Lighting Lady"

00:09:49 First to Market: Building a Franchise in California

00:11:09 Branding, Differentiation, and Relationships

00:15:03 Running a Family Business with Her Husband

00:18:35 Hiring and Managing a Service-Based Team

00:21:26 Group Interviews and Finding the Right Fit

00:25:32 Advice for Women and Aspiring Entrepreneurs

00:28:19 How to Connect with Laura

#unpredictedentrepreneur #podcast #womeninbusiness #franchiseownership #businessideas #careergrowth #careertransition