Jonathan Almanzar, new CEO of Iron Forums, discusses his entrepreneurial journey with Chicken Cone and business leadership insights.
Key Takeaways
- Jonathan co-founded Chicken Cone, an innovative chicken and waffle cone concept that grew rapidly through franchising
- Key success factors: embracing ambiguity, hard work, leveraging mentorship, and being selective about opportunities
- Jonathan is transitioning to CEO of Iron Forums, a Christian business owner mastermind group, starting December 2nd
- Advice for entrepreneurs: daily actions matter, partnerships are valuable, and community support is crucial
Topics
Chicken Cone Origin Story
- Idea conceived during a hike in 2012 - popcorn chicken in a waffle cone
- Co-founded with Josh Liner, starting with fairs and festivals
- Got lucky break appearing on Food Network show at first fair
- Expanded to New York City holiday market, leading to viral social media growth
Franchising Journey
- Rapid growth after NYC success - 25,000 Instagram followers in 2 weeks
- Attended franchise expo by chance, leading to franchise development
- Sold 53 units in one year through partnership with development company
- Expanded internationally to Dubai and Qatar
Business Challenges and Lessons
- Struggled with scaling internal team to support rapid growth
- Learned importance of proper documentation and financial preparation
- Shifted focus from dense foot traffic areas to drive-through models
- Realized not every opportunity is good - became more selective over time
Keys to Franchisee Success
- Comfort with ambiguity is crucial for small business owners
- Hard work is essential - "opportunity shows up in overalls"
- Balancing business growth with family life requires sacrifices in other areas
Mentorship and Personal Growth
- Initially resistant to advice, but became more open after facing challenges
- Learned to be curious and listen to experienced mentors
- Book recommendations: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
Iron Forums Role and Vision
- Jonathan starts as CEO on December 2nd
- Attracted by opportunity to build community and support for business owners
- Aims to meet every Iron Forums member in next 12 months
