From Franchises to Freedom with Jana Franklin – Ep.352
Release Date: 11/26/2025
Wickedly Smart Women
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info_outline“Anytime my managers are not out front, a problem happens. I want them where they can actually make the store money.” In this episode of Wickedly Smart Women, host Anjel B. Hartwell welcomes Jana Franklin, serial entrepreneur, franchise expert, and CEO of CEO Concierge. Jana shares her experiences scaling brick-and-mortar franchises and how the pandemic inspired a major pivot.
If you’re an executive overwhelmed by operations or a woman entrepreneur considering consultancy, this episode offers actionable advice and the inside scoop on delegation done right.
What You Will Learn:
How a corporate fashion merchandising start laid the foundation for franchise management and people skills.
The power of starting a business before getting entrenched in corporate.
What it took to open, scale, and eventually sell multiple Fantastic Sams salons.
How 80-hour weeks forced Jana to confront what she loved about her role.
Why virtual assistants can “clone” your strengths.
Creative ways brick-and-mortar businesses use virtual assistants.
Building trust and growing into delegation.
Addressing common fears: control, trust, cost, and support for first-time outsourcers.
How women can add niche roles as their business scales.
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