AI is Taking Jobs: Here’s How Franchising Can Secure Your Future
Release Date: 03/26/2025
Why Curiosity Makes Better Leaders and Businesses
The Richer Geek
Curiosity can change the way we lead, work, and grow. In this episode of The Richer Geek, operations professional and entrepreneur Jon Bassford shares how curiosity shaped his career and why it’s the key to building stronger teams, smarter businesses, and better results. In this episode, we chat about… How Jon went from law school to operations leadership. What it means to be a curious leader. The three shifts leaders need: mindset, operations, and culture. Google’s study on psychological safety and why it matters. Stories from Steve Jobs and Jeff Bezos that show the impact of...
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Real Estate, Risk & Retiring Early
The Richer Geek
What does it take to retire at 44 without winning the lottery or inheriting wealth? In this episode, we are joined by Tony Lopes, CEO of Dirty Boots Capital, real estate professional, best-selling author, coach, and speaker. Tony shares how his immigrant roots, engineering background, and calculated risks in real estate allowed him to achieve financial independence and how you can apply the same principles to your own journey. In this episode, we chat about… Tony’s journey from mechanical engineer to full-time investor and entrepreneur The wake-up call that shifted his mindset after...
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Trusts & Legacy: Why South Dakota Leads in Planning
The Richer Geek
What if your wealth could be preserved for generations, without family conflict, excessive taxes, or probate headaches? In this episode of The Richer Geek, we’re joined by Antony Joffe, Chairman of Sterling Trustees, to break down the world of trusts. From South Dakota’s unique laws to protecting your family legacy, Antony shares insights every entrepreneur, professional, and future planner should know. In this episode, we chat about… Antony’s career journey from CPA and investment banker to building Sterling Trustees with his father. Why family trustees often create conflict (and...
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How AI is Transforming Business Strategy
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek. Today, Courtney Baker, CMO of Knownwell and host of AI Knowhow, talks about how AI is shaping business strategy and the future of work. From scaling client relationships to protecting creativity in an AI-driven world, Courtney shares how leaders can adopt AI in a way that elevates people, not replaces them. In this episode, we chat about… Courtney’s career path from nonprofits to marketing leadership and AI innovation. Why AI in business strategy should focus on elevating humanity instead of replacing jobs. How Knownwell uses AI for...
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Mental Resilience for Entrepreneurs: Lessons from Startup Highs and Lows
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek. Today’s guest is Mohamed “Mo” Ahmed, a serial entrepreneur, product visionary, and author of Inside-Out Entrepreneurship. Mo has built and sold multiple companies in AI and cloud computing and now helps founders strengthen the mindset needed to survive and thrive. He shares hard-earned lessons from costly mistakes, near-failures, and unexpected wins, and why your mindset is your most valuable business asset. In this episode, we chat about… Mo’s shift from working at Microsoft and AWS to becoming an entrepreneur Why most founders...
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Investing in Real Estate and Private Businesses for Financial Freedom
The Richer Geek
In this episode of The Richer Geek, we welcome back Bronson Hill, founder of Bronson Equity, who has now raised over $50 million for real estate investments and is a general partner in deals worth over $150 million. Bronson shares how he left a high-paying career in medical device sales to gain more control over his time through real estate investing. We talk about passive income, how investment strategies are shifting with the economy, and what true freedom really means beyond just money. In this episode, we chat about… Real Estate and Economic Shifts: Bronson discusses how rising debt...
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How to Exit Your Business Without Selling It
The Richer Geek
What if you didn’t have to sell your business to step away from it? In this episode, Mike talks with The Real Jason Duncan, founder of The Exiter Club, about building companies that run without their owners. They dive into what it really takes to scale, create systems, and gain back time, without burning out. In this episode, we chat about… From Ministry to Millions: Jason Duncan shares how losing his teaching job led to building a multimillion-dollar business and a new definition of success. The Cost of Having No Exit Strategy: Most entrepreneurs unknowingly build businesses that...
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How Smart Investors Build Wealth Outside the Stock Market
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Today’s guest is Dr. Amir Baluch, wealth strategist, private fund manager, and international best-selling author of Make It, Keep It. Dr. Baluch has helped professionals build lasting wealth through strategic passive investments, overseeing over $700M+ in projects through Baluch Capital. In this episode, we chat about… Dr. Amir Baluch's journey from aspiring doctor to semi-retired anesthesiologist and full-time wealth strategist, including early failures and lessons learned from losing his life savings in an electronic payments...
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Self-Directed IRA vs. Traditional IRA: What’s Better for Alternative Investing?
The Richer Geek
Are you looking to seize control of your retirement funds and explore alternative investment avenues beyond traditional stocks? In this episode, Adam Bergman, a nine-time author, former tax and ERISA attorney, and founder of IRA Financial, shares how self-directed IRAs can empower you to invest in assets like real estate, crypto, gold, private businesses, and more. Learn the essential tax rules and strategies to cultivate your retirement growth. In this episode, we chat about… Introduction to Self-Directed IRAs: Explained what a self-directed IRA is and how it differs from traditional IRAs...
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Maximizing Credit Card Points for Luxury Travel
The Richer Geek
Welcome back to another episode of The Richer Geek Podcast! Our guest today is Spencer Howard, credit card royalty program and travel rewards expert and founder of Straight To The Points. Spencer shares his expertise on maximizing credit card points to unlock luxury travel experiences, from choosing the right cards to building a sustainable points strategy that won't damage your credit score. In this episode, we chat about… Spencer's Journey from Politics to Points Expert - How working at the US Travel Association sparked his obsession with travel rewards and led to building a full-time...
info_outlineTired of the corporate rat race? Welcome to The Richer Geek Podcast! Today, we are joined by Cliff Nonnenmacher, a former Wall Street banker turned franchise expert. Cliff shares how he built a multi-brand franchise empire and why franchising is the ultimate shortcut to wealth. Learn how to ditch the traditional 9-to-5, leverage proven business models, and invest in recession-proof, AI-proof, and Amazon-proof industries like skilled trades, pet services, and biohacking. Discover the critical mistakes to avoid, the value of a franchise consultant, and the trending sectors that are booming.
In this episode, we’re discussing…
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From Wall Street to Franchising: Cliff's entrepreneurial leap from Wall Street investment banking to master franchising was fueled by a desire for autonomy and the discovery of franchising's scalable potential, highlighted by his "bad boss" moment and understanding the multi-tiered franchise model.
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Why Franchising Wins: Proven models, brand power, and higher EBITDA multiples.
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Trending & Recession-Proof Franchises: Investing in recession and AI-proof sectors like biohacking/wellness, skilled trades, pet services, and senior care, capitalizing on current trends and demographic shifts, is crucial for long-term franchise success.
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Avoiding Pitfalls: Rigorous due diligence, strategic franchise consultant guidance, and avoidance of emotionally driven decisions, particularly in volatile markets like food, are essential to mitigate risks and protect wealth.
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The Food Industry Trap: Why rising costs make food franchises risky in today’s market.
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Time and Mindset: A disciplined, risk-aware mindset, understanding franchise timelines, and managing personal guarantees are critical for navigating the evolving business landscape, including the impact of AI.
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The value of Franocity: Franocity provides invaluable educational resources and personalized guidance, empowering individuals to make informed franchise investment decisions.
Resources from Cliff Nonnenmacher
LinkedIn | Franocity | Pursuit Of Profit Podcast
Resources from Mike and Nichole
Gateway Private Equity Group | Nic's guide | Franchise With Bob