What does it take to turn a personal passion into a scalable franchise while staying true to the mission that inspired it?

In this episode of Stars of Franchising, Ab Igram speaks with Ty McBride, founder of Preservan, about his entrepreneurial journey from historic restoration to building a growing home-services franchise.

Ty traces his connection to restoration back to working in his family’s home-building business and rebuilding homes following devastating tornadoes in Oklahoma. Those experiences helped him see restoration as more than a service. It became a way to preserve what people already have and create meaningful impact in local communities.

After launching a highly specialized historic window and door restoration business, Ty began looking for a way to take that mission further. Learning about franchising changed his perspective on what scaling could look like.

But Ty’s philosophy isn’t simply about selling more territories. He views franchise development as talent recruitment, with franchisor and franchisee building the business together. That perspective influences everything from franchisee selection and training to technology, support, and innovation.

Ty and Ab also explore how Preservan approached its early growth deliberately, first testing the model with franchisees who had relevant technical and business experience and proving the concept across Oklahoma, Florida, and North Carolina before expanding further.

Key Takeaways

• Franchising works best when franchisor and franchisee view success as shared.
• Scaling doesn't have to mean growing as quickly as possible. Selecting the right people matters.
• A franchise system needs more than a strong product or service. It needs repeatable support systems that make running the business easier.
• Franchisees can bring significant expertise and innovation into a system.
• AI can help emerging businesses test, learn, and implement ideas faster.
• Entrepreneurs shouldn’t wait to seek out mentors and people who have already traveled the path they are pursuing.
• As Ty puts it, “A rising tide raises all ships.”

What happens when you combine franchise growth strategy, authentic leadership, consumer psychology, and relentless self-awareness?

On the latest episode of Stars of Franchising, I sat down with Brooke Budke, Founder & CEO of Momentum Brands and former President of Title Boxing Club.

Brooke shared an incredible journey from copywriter to franchise executive, helping scale a brand from roughly 30 locations to more than 200, before launching a consulting firm dedicated to helping franchise brands grow smarter and faster.

Some of my favorite insights:

✅ Trust is the real currency of franchising.

✅ Franchisees don't just invest money. They invest trust in your leadership.

✅ You don't have to be the expert in everything, but you do need to know your customer better than anyone else.

✅ The future belongs to brands creating authentic, real-world experiences as consumers seek deeper human connection.

✅ Progress creates momentum, and momentum creates growth.

Brooke's perspective on leadership, culture, growth, and personal development is both refreshing and deeply practical.

Thank you, Brooke, for sharing your story and inspiring our audience.

🎙️ Listen to the full episode of Stars of Franchising wherever you get your podcasts.

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🚛 From a high school detention room to building one of the most recognized franchise brands in North America.

In the latest episode of Stars of Franchising, we sat down with Omar Soliman, Co-Founder and CEO of College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving, to discuss the entrepreneurial journey behind a brand that grew from a borrowed van and a clever name to more than 200 franchise locations.

Omar shares candid lessons on:

✅ Turning an idea into a scalable business
✅ Building a franchise system from the ground up
✅ Why culture is the true engine of growth
✅ The importance of complementary co-founders
✅ Navigating conflict as a leader
✅ Leveraging AI to improve customer experience and operational efficiency
✅ Why "Resourcefulness Quotient (RQ)" may be just as important as IQ and EQ

One of my favorite insights:

"The folks that are going to be successful are the ones with a high level of RQ, Resourcefulness Quotient. Are you able to take action and move the ball forward using the resources around you?"

Omar's story is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial success rarely happens overnight. As he puts it, College HUNKS is a "20-year overnight success."

🎧 Listen now to hear how grit, leadership, culture, and resourcefulness helped build a franchise powerhouse.

#StarsOfFranchising #Franchising #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #CollegeHUNKS #BusinessGrowth #FranchiseLeadership #TFFI #BabsonCollege #Founders #Innovation