April Porter brings her experience as a multi-unit franchisee to her new coaching concept, SecretSOS, a business intelligence platform aimed at helping franchisees and small business owners maximize their potential.
April discusses her journey from owning kickboxing gyms to founding SecretSOS. We dive into common mistakes franchisors make, the importance of investing in oneself, and the challenges faced by franchisees.
April emphasizes the need for emotional intelligence, community support, and mentorship in achieving success in franchising, particularly for women.
Takeaways
- April Porter has transitioned from a lawyer to a franchise expert.
- Secret Sauce aims to support franchisees in maximizing their potential.
- Common mistakes include franchisors not understanding their true customers.
- Franchisees often assume the franchisor will fill all gaps.
- Investing in oneself is crucial for franchise success.
- Networking and community are vital for franchise growth.
- The shift from single to multi-unit ownership presents unique challenges.
- Emotional intelligence plays a key role in business success.
- Women in franchising need more representation and support.
- Access to capital is a major barrier for aspiring entrepreneurs.
More from April:
April Porter is a nationally recognized franchise strategist, former prosecutor, actress, and the CEO behind Ask April Porter and Secretsos. After a decade fighting for justice in the courtroom, April shifted her talents to business, scaling four franchise locations into the top 20% nationally while working just 15 hours per week—then selling them for a successful exit.
Now, April’s on a mission to close the gap between franchisor playbooks and the real-world executive skills franchisees need to scale with Sanity, Wealth, And Gratitude (her signature SWAG® approach). Her practical, no-fluff coaching style, rooted in legal acumen and theater-worthy storytelling, challenges owners to shift from operator to Elite Entrepreneur.
Through her award-winning programs and top-ranked podcast “The Infinite Franchisee Show,” April has empowered thousands of franchisees and small business owners to reclaim their time, multiply their impact, and build teams that run the business even better than they do.
Whether she’s breaking down business myths, sharing her own wake-up call moments, or teaching frameworks that have helped clients break revenue records, April champions one mission: Never Leave a Franchisee Behind.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aprilporterbrands/
Website: www.secretsos.net
Website: https://askaprilporter.com/
More from Jessica:
Jessica has spent the last 25 years promoting and protecting global franchise brands such as Gold’s Gym, Club Pilates and Burger King.
In 2020, she shifted her focus from driving demand for brands to building brands. She built her first start-up, KickHouse from 0 to 30 locations before exiting to Mayweather Boxing + Fitness in 2022.
Currently, Jessica is focused on building a marketing agency called SizzleSociety. The agency’s core clients are fitness franchises and young brands that are looking to grow via franchising.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicayarmey/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jessicayarmey/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JessicaYarmey
Website: https://jessicayarmey.com/
More from SizzleSociety:
Website: https://sizzlesociety.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sizzlesociety/
To sponsor the show or apply to be a guest, email: thesocietypod@sizzlesociety.com
