Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

Fear Is Lying to You—Here’s How to Reclaim Control

Fear is a powerful force—but in this episode, Pete and Dave break down how it can actually be a sign that you're on the right path. When it comes to escaping the corporate grind and becoming your own boss, fear will show up. But it doesn’t have to hold you back.

Pete and Dave unpack the common fears that executives face when transitioning from corporate roles to franchise ownership. From fear of failure and isolation to fear of the unknown, they share how the structure of franchising and the strength of your own experience can help you push through the fear—and come out stronger on the other side.

In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss:

The real source of corporate fear
From 7 a.m. meetings to surprise relocations, Dave shares how fear in the corporate world often stems from lack of control. Pete and Dave reflect on how fear was baked into their executive lives—and how business ownership changed that.

False Evidence Appearing Real
Using Pete’s favorite acronym for fear, they explore how most fear is perception—not fact. Franchising helps neutralize those fears with structure, support, and a proven system.

Common fears—and how to tackle them
Whether it’s fear of isolation, fear of the unfamiliar, or fear of failure, Dave and Pete talk through how franchising helps executives replace fear with facts. From built-in support networks to structured onboarding, fear becomes manageable—and even motivating.

Freedom on the other side of fear
They also discuss the emotional payoff: more connection to your community, more time with family, and the satisfaction of building something that’s truly yours.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is natural—but it doesn’t have to stop you
• Corporate fear comes from lack of control—franchising gives it back
• Most fear is just false evidence appearing real
• You’re not alone—franchising gives you a built-in support network
• Taking action is the only way through fear
  
  

“Entrepreneurship changed my life. It improved my health, my finances, and my relationships. I’m not just working—I’m living.” — Dave Greenberg

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://www.hireyourself.com/gilfillan/
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

10 Corporate Skills That Make You a Strong Franchise Owner

In this episode, Pete and Dave unpack a powerful idea: the corporate world may have burned you out, but it also prepared you perfectly for business ownership. From managing teams to executing strategy, corporate leaders already have the tools—they just need the right vehicle to use them. That’s where franchising comes in.

Drawing from their own time in executive roles, Pete and Dave walk through the mindset shifts and business skills that seamlessly transfer from corporate to franchise ownership. Whether you're a marketer, operator, finance expert, or general manager, you'll see how your strengths can translate into a thriving business.

In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss:

Why executives are better prepared than they realize
Dave shares how his corporate training in strategic planning, leadership, and financial acumen helped him launch and scale his first franchise. From KPIs to workflows, he explains how the skills you already have give you a head start.

The hidden advantage of operations experience
Pete and Dave explore how former execs excel at building repeatable systems, streamlining processes, and managing performance. In franchising, that ability to drive operational excellence is a fast track to growth.

Marketing and customer focus that drives results
Executives who’ve worked with brand positioning, go-to-market strategy, or customer segmentation often don’t realize how powerful that knowledge becomes in a local business. Dave explains how it impacts franchise success.

The corporate mindset shift that unlocks scale
It’s not just about what you know—it’s about applying it with intention. Pete and Dave discuss the difference between working in the business and on the business, and how execs can build scalable teams with their leadership experience.

Key Takeaways:

• Corporate leaders already have most of the tools to succeed in franchising
• Strategy, leadership, and financial management are powerful assets
• Franchise systems help you focus on execution, not guesswork
• You don’t need to reinvent yourself—you need to reapply your strengths
• Your next chapter could be the most empowered one yet
  
  

“You don’t need to reinvent yourself to be a business owner—you just need a system where your experience works.” — Dave Greenberg

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://www.hireyourself.com/gilfillan/
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

Leaving Your Job to Be Your Own Boss

In this episode, Pete and Dave break down the real meaning of the “entrepreneurial lifestyle”—not the Instagram version, but the version built through hard work, structure, and ownership. After decades in corporate, they share how business ownership gave them back their time, their health, and their purpose.

They explore how the franchise model helps you bypass the chaos of starting from scratch and instead build a life where you decide what matters—whether it’s Friday freedom, weekday flexibility, or long-term wealth creation.

In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss:

Life Before Freedom: The Reality of Corporate Constraints
Dave shares what life looked like at the peak of his corporate career—constant travel, 7 a.m. meetings, and the pressure that never left. Pete adds how little control they had: no say in location changes, limited personal time, and energy drained by politics and pointless meetings.

Freedom Redefined: What Happens When You’re the Boss
Both hosts explain how being in control of your schedule changes everything. From running errands on Monday to early Friday finishes, they describe the tangible ways business ownership returns time to your life.

Flexibility Isn’t a Perk—It’s the Point
Whether it’s attending a kid’s soccer game or skipping Monday morning dread, Pete and Dave explain how entrepreneurship creates space for life, not just work. It’s not about working less, but about working when and how you want.

Wealth, Reimagined: Why Financial Independence Isn’t Just About Money
They define real wealth as time freedom, strong health, and the ability to choose your future. Pete shares how entrepreneurship let him reinvest in his well-being and plan for a semi-retired future—on his terms.

Designing a Business Around You
Not all owners are the same. Pete and Dave break down different paths: whether you want to work in the business every day or manage from the top, franchising lets you choose how involved you want to be—and that choice is the ultimate luxury.

Key Takeaways:

• The 9-to-5 trap takes more than your time—it can cost your health and purpose
• Owning your business puts you back in charge of your calendar
• A franchise model gives you structure so you can grow with confidence
• Flexibility means being present for life’s best moments—without asking permission
• Wealth is about more than money—it’s about time, health, and control

“I still work as hard as I did in the corporate world—but now, it’s on my terms. That’s the real power of entrepreneurship.” — Pete Gilfillan

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://www.hireyourself.com/gilfillan/
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/