Ask April Porter Podcast

Welcome to the Ask April Porter Podcast, where franchisee performance meets real-world business strategy. Hosted by April Porter—attorney, former judge, multi-unit franchisee, & leading authority on franchisee performance—this weekly show delivers actionable insights, proven growth strategies, & candid conversations with top entrepreneurs & franchise leaders. Designed for franchisees & small business owners, you’ll learn how to scale sustainably, increase profitability, and achieve SWAG: Sanity, Wealth, And Gratitude—success without sacrifice. Learn more at AskAprilPorter.com and Secretsos.com

Ask April Porter Podcast is a business podcast hosted by Unknown Host, with 272 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Unknown Host hosts Ask April Porter Podcast, a business show with 272 episodes published.

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  Ask April Porter Podcast

  Can You Really Train Your Brain at Any Age? with Kim Hanson

  Sep 29, 202631 min

  In this episode of Franchisee Growth Formula, host April Porter sits down with Kim Hanson , CEO of LearningRx and co-author of The Purpose Directed Business and Unlock the Einstein Inside , to discuss how cognitive skills influence learning, confidence, performance, and business ownership. Kim explains the difference between what people know and how they process information, shares the family story behind LearningRx, and explores how individualized brain training can support children and adults. They also discuss different paths to franchise ownership, the importance of measurable results, and why entrepreneurs must make continuous learning a priority. Key Takeaways: What people know is only one side of intelligence. How they process information also affects how easily they learn and perform. Attention, memory, processing speed, visual processing, auditory processing, and related skills can improve through focused training. Professionals may need stronger business skills, corporate leaders may need training expertise, and experienced trainers can grow into directors and franchise owners. Kim explains that cognitive skills can be strengthened throughout life, including for adults and people in their 90s. LearningRx evaluates individual cognitive skills instead of treating a diagnosis as the complete picture, including working memory and processing speed challenges associated with ADHD. Measurable data, one-on-one attention, predictable routines, and game-like exercises help create a more personalized training experience. Business owners need to replace employee habits with strategic thinking and make learning a daily priority to avoid buying themselves an expensive job. Episode Timestamps: [00:00] - Introduction [03:30] - The Seven Cognitive Skills Behind Learning [07:53] - The Family Story Behind LearningRx [12:06] - Adapting Training to Different Learning Styles [15:22] - Brain Training, Purpose, and Lifelong Confidence [22:49] - Supporting ADHD, Autism, and Learning Challenges [26:53] - Why Research and One-on-One Training Matter [29:20] - Finding a Center or Exploring the Franchise Opportunity [31:11] - The Brainy Moms Podcast and Closing Remarks Connect with Guest, Kim Hanson: LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/kim-hanson-cfe-bccs-2903729/ ⁠ Speaker Profile: ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ https://www.learningrx.com/speaker-kim-hanson/ ⁠ The Purpose Directed Business: ⁠ https://www.purposedirectedbusiness.com/ ⁠ Unlock the Einstein Inside: ⁠ https://www.unlocktheeinsteininside.com/ ⁠ Connect with Guest’s Company: Website: ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ https://www.learningrx.com/ ⁠ Franchise Opportunities: ⁠ https://www.learningrx-franchise.com/ ⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/learningrx ⁠ YouTube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@LearningRxcom ⁠ Brain Training Resources: ⁠ ⁠ ⁠ https://www.learningrx.com/resources/ ⁠ The Brainy Moms Podcast: ⁠ https://www.thebrainymoms.com/ ⁠ Connect with April Porter: LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilporterbrands/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/askaprilporter ⁠ X: ⁠ https://x.com/askaprilporter ⁠ Submit a Question for April: ⁠ https://info.secretsos.com/widget/form/9kjoRZJXsQJkZUmK2xpV ⁠ More from Secretsos™: Website: ⁠ https://secretsos.com/ ⁠ LinkedIn: ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/company/secretsos/ ⁠ Instagram: ⁠ https://www.instagram.com/secretsos_bia ⁠ Facebook: ⁠ https://www.facebook.com/SecretSOSofficial/ ⁠ X: ⁠ https://x.com/secretsos_bia ⁠ Follow Franchisee Growth Formula: Apple Podcasts: ⁠ https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ask-april-porter-podcast/id1570422370 ⁠ Spotify: ⁠ https://open.spotify.com/show/0C440Ehj234DVNcFIYHjtd?si=f7f27743a3654c9a ⁠ YouTube: ⁠ https://www.youtube.com/@askaprilporter ⁠

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  Ask April Porter Podcast

  271. The Four Pillars Behind Every Scalable Franchise Business With Brendon Dennewill

  Sep 14, 202638 min

  In this episode of Franchisee Growth Formula, host April Porter sits down with Brendon Dennewill , Founder of Denamico , and host of the RevOps Champions Podcast , to discuss how franchise brands can align people, processes, data, and technology to drive scalable growth. They explore franchisee-franchisor alignment, scalable systems, technology, transparency, and the importance of planning an exit strategy. Key Takeaways: Technology Amplifies Existing Systems: Technology can strengthen a well-run business, but it can also amplify existing chaos and misalignment. People and Alignment Come First: Successful technology implementation starts with aligned people, clear responsibilities, and intentional culture. Franchisor-Franchisee Communication Matters: Transparency and communication are essential for reducing the gap between franchisors and franchisees. Processes Must Scale With Growth: Franchise brands need to understand when processes will break and plan for additional resources before those problems occur. Build Technology Around Franchisee Success: Technology should help franchisees succeed while creating better alignment and data flow across the entire organization. Plan the Exit Early: A clear exit strategy can help franchisees make better decisions about growth, renewals, and long-term business goals. Scalability Requires Early Planning: Building systems that can scale before a brand becomes too large can reduce future pain and improve alignment across stakeholders. Episode Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Teaser [00:01:20] - Introduction to Guest [00:04:03] - Why People and Alignment Come First [00:09:21] - The Franchisee-Franchisor Alignment Gap [00:12:37] - Creating Clarity Across the Franchise Network [00:20:35] - Building Technology Around Franchisee Success [00:24:54] - Transparency, Trust, and Working From the Same Side of the Table [00:30:14] - Why Every Franchisee Needs an Exit Strategy [00:35:17] - Scalable Systems and the Future of Franchise Connect with Guest, Brendon Dennewill: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brendondennewill/ Connect with Guest's Company: Website: https://www.denamico.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/denamico/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Denamico RevOps Resources: https://www.denamico.com/resources Connect with April Porter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilporterbrands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askaprilporter X: https://x.com/askaprilporter Submit a Question for April: https://info.secretsos.com/widget/form/9kjoRZJXsQJkZUmK2xpV More from Secretsos: Website: https://secretsos.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/secretsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsos_bia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecretSOSofficial/ X: https://x.com/secretsos_bia Follow Franchisee Growth Formula: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ask-april-porter-podcast/id1570422370 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0C440Ehj234DVNcFIYHjtd?si=f7f27743a3654c9a YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@askaprilporter

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  Ask April Porter Podcast

  270. Inside One of America's Fastest-Growing Franchise Brands with Darren Wilstead

  Sep 8, 202624 min

  In this episode of Franchisee Growth Formula, host April Porter sits down with Darren Wilstead , Chief Revenue Officer at The Back Nine Golf , to discuss how one of America’s fastest-growing franchise brands is scaling while keeping franchisee success at the center of its mission. Darren shares how The Back Nine Golf expanded from launching its first franchise location in late 2022 to becoming a rapidly growing indoor golf franchise with hundreds of sold units across multiple countries. The conversation explores how the brand supports franchisees through every stage - from signing a lease and opening their location to building a successful business after launch. Key Takeaways: Rapid Growth Needs Strong Systems: The Back Nine’s growth shows that scaling a franchise requires more than selling units - it requires strong support systems for franchisee success. Support Starts Before Opening: Franchisees receive coaching from lease signing through launch, covering operations, marketing, sales, and memberships. Coaching Drives Accountability: Dedicated coaches and franchise success managers help owners track performance and improve results. Franchisees Must Shift to Ownership: Success comes from combining past experience with the franchise’s proven systems and strategies. Trust the Process: Franchise owners bring valuable skills, but following the brand’s playbook is key to growth. Growth Comes With Lessons: The Back Nine embraces challenges and continuously improves alongside its franchise network. Episode Timestamps: [00:00:00] - Teaser [00:01:53] - Introduction to Darren Wilstead & The Back Nine Golf [00:03:27] - Building a Franchise Brand That Supports Owners [00:06:02] - Training Franchisees for Success [00:08:04] - Sharing Success Across the Franchise Network [00:12:07] - Trusting the Franchise System and Managing Growth [00:16:02] - The Shift From Employee to Business Owner [00:19:51] - Why Franchisees Choose The Back Nine Golf [00:20:56] - Lessons From Scaling a Fast-Growing Franchise Brand [00:23:12] - Exploring The Back Nine Franchise Opportunity Connect with Guest, Darren Wilstead: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-wilstead-402a9752/ Connect with Guest's Company: Website: https://thebackninegolf.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-back-nine/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebackninegolf/?hl=en YouTube: www.youtube.com/@thebackninegolf The Back Nine Golf Franchise Website: https://backninefranchise.com/ Connect with April Porter: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilporterbrands/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/askaprilporter X: https://x.com/askaprilporter Submit a Question for April: https://info.secretsos.com/widget/form/9kjoRZJXsQJkZUmK2xpV More from Secretsos: Website: https://secretsos.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/secretsos/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/secretsos_bia Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecretSOSofficial/ X: https://x.com/secretsos_bia Follow Franchisee Growth Formula: Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/ask-april-porter-podcast/id1570422370 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0C440Ehj234DVNcFIYHjtd?si=f7f27743a3654c9a YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@askaprilporter

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  Ask April Porter Podcast

  269. Marketing Plan vs. Marketing Strategy: Why Most Franchisees Get This Wrong

  Aug 31, 202622 min

  Most franchise owners think they have a marketing problem. What they actually have is a strategy problem. In this episode, April Porter breaks down the critical difference between a marketing plan (the tactics) and a marketing strategy (the thinking underneath it) — and why confusing the two is quietly draining franchisee marketing budgets across the country. In This Episode, You'll Learn Why a $10,000 pre-opening marketing budget so often gets spent with little to no ROI The difference between a marketing plan (tactics, spend, timing) and a marketing strategy (vision, avatars, positioning) Why every ideal customer profile actually contains 3-5 distinct customer avatars — and why marketing to only one leaves money on the table A real example: how one franchise ran completely different ad campaigns at two locations based on the dominant customer avatar in each The "stranger to raving fan" journey every customer moves through, and why most marketing skips straight to the sale Why cutting your marketing budget after a bad ROI usually makes the problem worse, not better The 6-step order of operations for building a marketing strategy that actually scales Key Quote "A plan is the roadmap and the detailed steps, but your strategy is the bigger vision that guides every marketing decision you make." Next Step (Workshop) Ready to build a marketing strategy that actually converts strangers into customers?Join the Franchise Growth Formula Workshop: https://assets.secretsos.com/franchisegrowthformula Share This Episode With A franchisee who's spending on marketing but not seeing it convert — or a franchisor who's tired of hearing "the marketing isn't working."

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  Ask April Porter Podcast

  268. How to Reduce Franchisee Failure: What Franchisors Must Fix in Discovery

  Aug 24, 202625 min

  Franchise disclosure documents (FDDs) help you understand the franchise offer-but they don’t tell you the one variable that predicts performance inside almost every system: franchisee capability. In Episode 3 of this series, April Porter explains how the franchise gap is created during the discovery process, when franchisors unintentionally oversell “everything you need,” and candidates assume their skill gaps will be solved by training and support alone. In this episode: - Why capability (not brand, market, or work ethic) predicts franchisee outcomes - Capability vs potential: why approval decisions get distorted - The hidden assumptions that create the franchise gap before day one - What franchisees think they’re buying when they buy a franchise - Why “training & support” must be treated like the franchisor’s product - The capability categories candidates must develop (finance, sales, marketing, hiring/HR, leadership, resilience, money mindset) - The discovery conversation that prevents overwhelmed single-unit operators and creates more multi-unit owners Free training: Join the Franchise Growth Formula Workshop to close the capability gap and install the skills that drive growth. Register here: https://assets.secretsos.com/franchisegrowthformula

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