In this episode, Jacob talks with franchise coach Giuseppe “G” Grammatico about what draws people into franchising, what surprises new owners most, and how motivations around work have shifted since COVID. G shares his own story of leaving a grueling Wall Street career to build a business that gave him both time freedom and financial stability. Together, they unpack how to evaluate whether franchising is the right fit, the real risks and misconceptions, and the traits that consistently predict success. Listeners will walk away with a clearer sense of how franchising works—and how to think about entrepreneurship with eyes wide open.
What we cover
* Giuseppe’s shift from Wall Street to franchising – how a 13-hour workday pushed him to rethink his entire career.
* Why time freedom now outweighs financial upside – especially for parents and post-COVID professionals.
* What people get wrong about franchising – including the myth that “you can’t lose money.”
* How to evaluate fit – focusing on personal roles, characteristics, and family alignment rather than specific brands.
* Avoiding common due diligence mistakes – like skipping conversations with current franchisees.
* The people problem – what’s actually hard about staffing, and how the best systems support franchisees without crossing HR boundaries.
* The mindset shift from paycheck to ownership – the emotional hurdle of not earning immediately.
* What successful franchisees have in common – coachability, comfort with systems, and clarity about why they’re doing it.
* Creative staffing and support models – from franchisor recruiting help to simplified operations with fewer employees.
* Giuseppe’s process for helping clients decide – including financial planning and building toward readiness if timing isn’t right.
