Welcome to Episode 122 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur! Hosts Sara Waskow and Roxanne Rapske sit down with Mark Cunningham, a veteran business owner who left behind a 38-year insurance career to reinvent himself through franchising and entrepreneurship. Mark shares his inspiring journey, his experience with owning the top laundromat in Dallas/Fort Worth, and building a new legacy with Black Optix Tint.

In this episode, you'll hear about:

- Transitioning from a long-standing corporate career to entrepreneurship

- Key lessons learned from owning a laundromat franchise

- How to build a family legacy in business

- Importance of company culture and leadership support

- Tips for aspiring franchise owners and building confidence

Contact Information and Free Resources:

Connect with our hosts:

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

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: Redefining Success

00:00:32 Mark Cunningham’s New Chapter

00:01:14 Mark’s Background and Early Career

00:05:15 Transition to Entrepreneurship

00:06:21 Choosing and Building the Laundromat Franchise

00:08:26 Laundromat Success and Exit

00:10:03 Motivation for a New Venture at 71

00:12:04 Building a Family Legacy

00:13:24 Introduction to Black Optix Tint

00:15:29 Why Black Optix Tint? Culture and Opportunity

00:17:25 Passion, Purpose, and Impact

00:18:57 Family and Resilience in Business

00:19:54 Words of Wisdom for Aspiring Franchisees

00:22:29 How to Connect With Mark & Black Optix Tint

00:23:31 Closing Remarks

#entrepreneurship #franchising #careertransition #businessownership #franchisepodcast

Welcome to episode 121 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll learn how leaving corporate franchise leadership can lead to a successful entrepreneurial journey. Discover the realities of building your own business from the ground up.

Craig and Kristen Jooste share the raw details behind their decision to quit their corporate roles. This conversation explores the actual risks, the long hours required, and the trade-offs they made to gain control over their professional lives. If you’re considering starting a business or currently feel stuck in a corporate environment, their story offers a realistic look at the transition.

We discuss the specific challenges of business ownership and how the initial struggle paved the way for more autonomy. By examining their entrepreneurial journey, you will gain perspective on whether the path of an entrepreneurial life aligns with your own goals. Understanding the sacrifice needed to leave corporate franchise leadership is essential for anyone weighing a similar career pivot.

Subscribe for weekly business strategy breakdowns and share in the comments: What is the biggest challenge holding you back from starting your own venture?

Contact Information and Free Resources:

Connect with our guests:

Craig Jooste - https://www.linkedin.com/in/craigjooste/

Kristen Jooste - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristen-jooste-1a6bb939/

Follow: Genie Senior Services - https://www.linkedin.com/company/genie-senior-services-north-america/

Connect with our hosts:

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

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: Building a Life, Not Just a Business

00:01:02 Meet the Guests: Craig and Kristen Joost

00:01:56 Early Careers and Jumping into Entrepreneurship

00:03:19 Building and Franchising the Handyman Business

00:05:08 What is Genie Senior Services?

00:06:48 Lessons Learned from Franchise and Ownership

00:10:23 Expanding from Canada to the U.S.

00:13:07 Who Makes the Ideal Genie Franchisee?

00:16:19 Multi-Territory and Scaling Opportunities

00:19:35 Advice for Prospective Franchisees

00:23:24 Culture, Fit, and Contact Information

00:24:30 Closing Remarks and Thanks

#entrepreneurship #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseconsulting

#unpredictedentrepreneur

Welcome to Episode 120 of Unpredicted Entrepreneur. In this episode, you’ll hear how our special guest, Joseph Gozlan, approached commercial real estate after leaving a career in software engineering. See the critical factors for business success.

Joseph shares his experience moving from software engineering into the world of commercial real estate. If you’re considering a career change or looking to build a business outside of corporate America, this conversation highlights the practical realities of the transition. We focus on the foundational decisions that determine the long-term viability of new businesses.

This session breaks down why location and financial planning are the most significant variables in commercial real estate. By analyzing these core elements, you’ll gain a clearer perspective on how to structure your own business success. We discuss the mindset shift required when moving away from a traditional role and how to evaluate risks effectively.

Subscribe for weekly career and investment breakdowns, and comment on what industry you are considering moving into next.

Contact Information and Free Resources:

Connect with Joseph Gozlan -

https://www.linkedin.com/in/gozlan/

Eureka Business Group https://www.linkedin.com/company/ebgtx/

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: The Importance of Location and Leases

00:00:13 Guest Introduction: Joseph Gosselin’s Background

00:01:06 Episode Welcome and Guest’s Full Title

00:02:16 Joseph Gosselin’s Journey: From Software Engineer to Real Estate

00:04:04 Transitioning to Commercial Real Estate

00:05:44 How a Commercial Broker Serves Business Owners

00:08:00 Handling Unrepresented Tenants

00:10:36 Lease vs. Buy: Which Path is Best?

00:13:53 Top Lease Mistakes and What to Watch Out For

00:17:10 Educating Yourself & Joseph’s Book

00:18:54 How to Contact Joseph Gosselin

00:19:21 Final Words of Wisdom and Episode Close

#entrepreneurship #businesspodcast #businessownership #franchiseconsulting

#unpredictedentrepreneur