“Everything I do, personally and professionally, is to enhance the lives of my family.”
– Aaron Harper

In this episode, Aaron Harper shares a deeply personal and practical perspective on franchising, scaling, and leadership. Grounded in family, purpose, and discipline, Aaron walks through what it really takes to build a fast‑growing franchise system—financially, emotionally, and structurally. From pre‑investing millions before launch to “firing yourself” as the business evolves, Aaron offers an unfiltered look at sustainable growth in franchising.

Elyse (Elysium Marketing Group) shares how she built and scaled a franchise-focused marketing agency—why she chose franchising, what franchise development marketing requires, and how she leads a high-trust team while using AI as an efficiency tool (not a substitute for judgment).

“Entrepreneurship is not a straight line… everything in this journey is just a phase. So you’ve gotta push through that phase, and then you get to the next part.” -Elyse Lupin

This week, we sit down with Colleen Upham, co‑founder of Oh Deer, the all‑natural deer, tick, and mosquito control franchise redefining eco‑friendly home services across the country.

Colleen’s story is a powerful blend of mission, resilience, and heart. From mixing formulas in a basement while raising newborn twins to building a franchise system rooted in community and care, she shares what it takes to grow the right way—with intention, values, and a commitment to franchisee success.

We cover:
✔️ Building a purpose‑driven brand
✔️ Knowing when to pause growth to strengthen systems
✔️ Selecting franchisees who align with your mission
✔️ How innovation often comes from the field
✔️ Balancing entrepreneurship and family
✔️ Why “all‑natural” is more than a trend—it’s the future

One of my favorite takeaways from Colleen:
“Never give up. Take a breath, reevaluate, and move forward stronger.”

🎧 Listen now and get inspired: Stars of Franchising (Babson College)