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Neel Parekh

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Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh201. The Final Episode of the Freedom Formula Podcast: The Power of Quitting [Solo Episode with Neel Parekh]In this final episode of the Freedom Formula Podcast, host Neel Parekh delivers a deeply personal and thought-provoking solo reflection on one of life's most challenging yet liberating decisions: knowing when to quit. As he brings this chapter of his podcasting journey to a close, Neel explores the counterintuitive wisdom that sometimes our greatest victories come not from perseverance, but from the courage to walk away.Podcast episode with Khe Hy: https://open.spotify.com/episode/2iQuhBsdTUbbBe3cWUgNg9?si=k04__noATVexL26trNDR5AA special thank you to all the incredible guests...
2025-07-3008 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh196. How Do I Know If Should Leave My 9-5, Or Stay Put? with Neel ParekhNeel and Stephen delve into the complexities of franchising and entrepreneurship, exploring the challenges faced by potential franchisees, the mindset required to transition from a traditional 9 to 5 job, and the evolving nature of franchising in today's digital age. They discuss the importance of understanding one's fit for entrepreneurship, the perception of risk, and the necessity of taking action in business decisions.TakeawaysNot everyone is suited for entrepreneurship; many glorify it without understanding the risks.Franchising has evolved, and traditional methods may not be effective anymore.The perception of risk in leaving a 9...
2025-05-0920 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh195. 17 Killer Business Ideas You Can Steal Today From Neel ParekhIn this conversation, Neel discusses various innovative business ideas and models that can be operated remotely or with low overhead. He emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs and the potential for high-margin services in local markets. From mobile repair services to remote cleaning businesses, and even unique concepts like diaper pickup services, Neel explores the landscape of entrepreneurship and the opportunities available for those willing to think outside the box. He also touches on the significance of automation and training global talent to enhance business operations.TakeawaysMobile repair services can cater...
2025-05-0120 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh194. The Dirty Secret of Franchising & Life Bank Account, an interview with NeelIn this conversation, Neel delves into the impact of coaching on entrepreneurship, exploring the life bank account concept, and discussing the nuances of digital nomadism. He shares insights on franchising, including its challenges and misconceptions, while also reflecting on cultural experiences in Rwanda. The importance of time management and lessons learned from travel are emphasized, particularly in relation to safety and awareness.TakeawaysSuccessful entrepreneurs often benefit from coaching.The life bank account concept emphasizes valuing time.Digital nomadism has evolved over the years.Franchising is not just an extension of a business.Initial...
2025-04-2429 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh193. The $2M Scoop: Building a Business from the Ground Up with William Milliken CEO of Swoop ScoopIn this episode, Neel Parekh interviews William Milligan, the CEO and co-founder of SwoopScoop, a successful dog poop cleanup business that has grown to over $2 million in revenue in just four years. William shares his journey from digital marketing to entrepreneurship, explaining the unique business model of subscription-based dog waste removal. He discusses operational efficiencies, marketing strategies, and the challenges of seasonality in the business. Additionally, William introduces the Poop Scoop Millionaire community, aimed at helping others start their own poop scoop businesses. The conversation provides valuable insights into entrepreneurship, marketing, and the pet service industry.takeawaysWilliam...
2025-04-1622 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh191. Does Big Business Equals to More Freedom? [Dan Andrews, Host of Tropical MBA Interviewing Neel]In this episode, Neel discusses his journey as the founder of MaidThis, in Tropical MBA podcast with Dan Andrews.He shares insights on entrepreneurship, the importance of time management, and the challenges of franchising. Neel emphasizes the significance of foundational work, motivation, and accountability in achieving business success. He also explores the balance between lifestyle entrepreneurship and business growth, revealing how scaling a business can lead to greater freedom. The conversation delves into the financial dynamics of franchising and the long-term commitment required to build a successful brand. In this conversation, the speakers delve into the intricacies of the...
2025-04-0252 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh186. Building a $1.5M/yr Cleaning Biz in a Town of 50,000, with Stephanie Pipkin of Serene CleanIn this episode of the Freedom Formula podcast, Neel Parekh chats with Stephanie Pipkin, the owner of Serene Clean, a successful cleaning business that generated over $1.5 million in revenue within five years. Stephanie shares her journey of growth, the importance of community marketing, and the differences between commercial and residential cleaning. She emphasizes the significance of building relationships, leveraging local influencers, and maintaining strong core values in business. The conversation provides valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs in the cleaning industry.Takeaways Stephanie Pipkin grew her cleaning business to $1.5 million in five years. Commercial...
2025-02-2630 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh181. From Private Equity to Franchising Success [Collin Interviewing Neel] In this episode, Neel shares his journey from working in private equity to becoming a successful franchise owner of MaidThis, in The Business Blitz Podcast with Collin Rutherford. He discusses the unique challenges and opportunities of franchising, the importance of marketing strategies for client acquisition, and the dynamics of hiring and managing a remote team. Neel emphasizes the need for reliability, communication, and attitude in employees, and shares insights on the costs associated with starting and running a franchise. He also highlights the significance of both digital and community marketing in building a sustainable business. Takeaways Franchising...
2025-01-2221 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh157. Remote Cleaning Businesses And Why They’re Awesome [Nik interviewing Neel]A different and fun podcast where Neel Parekh gets interviewed by Nik from Nikonomics. his journey in the cleaning industry and the unique aspects of his business model. He shares insights into the challenges and opportunities of running a cleaning company, particularly in the residential and vacation rental niches. Neel emphasizes the importance of recurring revenue and customer retention in the cleaning industry. He also talks about the benefits and support provided to franchisees and the potential for scalability in the business. Takeaways Recurring revenue and customer retention are crucial in the cleaning...
2024-07-2437 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh156. From Employee to Franchisee: The All-In Commitment Journey with Nautical Bowls CEO, Bryant AmundsonIn this episode of the Freedom Formula podcast, Neel Parekh chats with Bryant Amundson, the CEO of Nautical Bowls, a franchise brand specializing in acai bowls. Bryant shares his journey of starting his first location and eventually franchising the business. He emphasizes the importance of being all-in as a franchisee and the need for coaching and mindset upgrades. Bryant also discusses the support system needed for franchisees and the focus on franchisee success. He highlights the goal of creating time freedom and financial success for franchisees. To learn more about Bryant and Nautical Bowls, you can find him on...
2024-07-1730 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh149. The “Mental” Game of Lifestyle Design by the Numbers, with Ben McAdams of Profits CollectiveIn this episode of the Freedom Formula podcast, Neel Parekh sits down with Ben McAdam, a business coach who helps entrepreneurs increase their profits by analyzing their numbers. Ben shares his journey from being a classical pianist to becoming a business owner and explains how he discovered the power of numbers in growing a business. They discuss the mindset shifts required for entrepreneurship, the importance of prioritizing spending, and the role of mindset in achieving lifestyle design. Ben also shares his personal lifestyle design choices and offers insights into common objections and challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
2024-05-2920 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh144. Talking Shop with $1.5M/yr Cleaning Company Legend Ryan Knoll from TidyCasaRyan Knoll and Neel Parekh discuss their backgrounds and experiences in the home service industry. They talk about their early days, growth trajectories, and the marketing tactics that worked for them. They emphasize the importance of networking and traditional marketing methods, in addition to digital marketing strategies like SEO and Google ads. They also discuss the structure of their teams and the use of remote staff. The conversation covers topics such as managing a cleaning business, handling overflow, and building systems for growth. The speakers discuss the challenges of managing a cleaning business, particularly in the Airbnb market. They...
2024-04-2451 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh142. Selling Water Beds and Scaling Multiple Businesses with “Output Thinking”, with CEO Coach John SeifferIn this episode, Neel Parekh sits down with John Seiffer, author of Output Thinking and founder of CEO Bootcamp. They discuss John's entrepreneurial journey, starting with a failed waterbed store business in the 70s. They explore the differences between B2B and B2C business models and the importance of building a business like an asset. John introduces the concept of output thinking and explains how to identify and develop systems in a business. They also discuss common issues faced by new businesses and how to find your zone of genius. The episode concludes with information about CEO Bootcamp...
2024-04-1030 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh135. Launching a Roofing Business to 8-Figures in Year 1, with Cole SimpsonIn this episode, Neel Parekh interviews Cole Simpson, owner of a roofing company, about his journey in entrepreneurship. Cole shares his background and how he got into the roofing business. He discusses the challenges and lessons he learned along the way, including his experience with franchising and acquisitions. Cole shares his motivations and goals, and how he approaches business as a game. Takeaways: Entrepreneurship requires risk mitigation and the ability to make asymmetrical bets. Experience in entrepreneurship is gained by making decisions and learning from them. Focus on growth and revenue in...
2024-02-2124 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh134. Do You Need $10K/Mo to be "Free"? An Interview with Stephen HeinerIn this episode Neel sits down for the second time with Stephen Heiner, who previously appeared on episode 108, when he had just newly moved into a Catholic seminary after having been location independent for a decade. This was Neel's "6 month checkup" on Stephen. Neel and Stephen discuss: - Stephen's frame for freedom, i.e. discipline = freedom, and how stability has given him productivity, but also another way to do what it is he wants to do - how much the Four Hour Work Week influenced Stephen's trajectory since he first read it in 2008...
2024-02-1527 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh131. Launching an Investor-Backed Call Center for Cannabis, with Donald SpannIn this episode Neel sits down with the one and only Donald Spann. Donald has been a guest on the pod before (listen here if you'd like to check it out) Neel and Donald discuss: - his initial success selling Cutco knives (and Neel pondered some kind of index of people who sold Cutco and success in life) - his journey through servicing different needs for cleaning companies which started from building websites to then answering phones - how Donald realized early on that money wasn't the actual motivator...
2024-01-1727 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh126. From Side Hustle Mobile Car Wash to 8-Figure Mobile Brake Repair with Walker Drewett of NuBrakesIn this episode Neel and sits down with Walker Drewett of NuBrakes, a mobile brake-repair business that grew out of a mobile car detailing business he started while going to school. Neel and Walker discuss: - not sitting on your laurels: despite growing the car detailing business to $1M in revenue, Walker found out customers really wanted help with maintenance and service, so he pivoted accordingly - why it is nerve-wracking to trust employees with company vehicles they can take home, but that becomes easier if you build a culture of trust
2023-12-0621 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh125. Running a $100K/Mo Local Biz Remotely From Japan with Chris Schwab of Think Maids and Inova LocalIn this episode Neel and sits down with Chris Schwab of Think Maids (remote cleaning business) and Inova Local (a virtual assistant company). Chris originally wanted to get to Japan to be with his long-distance girlfriend and realized starting a business was the only way he could do that. That paved the way for everything else. Neel and Chris discuss: - the cleaning "revenue valley of despair" in which you are bringing in a lot of revenue but are not yet profitable enough to hire full-time help - the importance of...
2023-11-2930 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh124. A Remote Local Barber Shop Meets Speakeasy with Ben Davis of The Gents PlaceIn this episode Neel speaks with Ben Davis of The Gents Place (which he describes as speakeasy meets barber shop meets country club) and Rascal Man about his journey from the corporate life to being a remote local business franchisor. Neel and Ben discuss: - how he chose what kind of business to start, which included asking "where could I work 80 a week and still love it." - why someone would choose a $600 annual membership to The Gents Place instead of just paying $30 each time he needs a haircut. - Operation...
2023-11-2224 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh123: From Passive Income to Passionate Pursuits with Brian LuebbenIn this episode Neel chats with Brian Leubben, host of the Action Academy Podcast and author of the forthcoming book From Passive to Passionate: How to Quit Your Job, Grow Your Wealth, & Turn Your Passions into Profits. Neel and Brian discuss: - his entrepreneurial path which started as a college DJ, then to corporate sales, then to creating a Vivid Vision for this future. - how "house hacking" brought him $4k a month in passive income, until he discovered affiliate income, which added another $12-19k a month. - why Brian...
2023-11-1530 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh122: From Side Hustle to Retiring a Spouse with Seonaid BeckwithIn this episode Neel chats with Seonaid Beckwith of Perfect English Grammar, a very popular website that helps non-native English speakers improve to whatever level they want, for personal or professional reasons. Neel and Seonaid discuss: - how what started as a resource for her in-person students became a side hustle and then eventually allowed her to quit her job. - how she just kept learning what she didn't know to give options to the people who were coming to the site (which now number 1-2M a month). - her...
2023-11-0825 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh121. Scaling to 100+ Locations By Going Back To The Basics, with Costa from Costa 10 Min Oil ChangeIn this episode Neel and sits down with ⁠Costa Kapothanasis of Costa 10 Minute Oil Change. Costa has scaled an oil change franchise to 100+ locations. Neel and Costa talk about: - how working in family-owned restaurants gave him a sense of the importance of not having single points of failure in a business and how that helped him have the right mindset to build a remote local company. - his journey from buying a single oil change shop on a 100% seller-financed note (and getting fired from his day job) to his current growing empire of...
2023-11-0127 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh120. SEO Done Easy: How to DIY SEO with Katrin from Lahav MediaIn this episode Neel and sits down with Katrin Krakovich of Lahav Media. Neel and Katrin discuss: - the power of blogging for local services business (here's a blog she wrote about it if you want to learn more) - what she would do if she was starting a local services business today as far as keyword research - what are the most important aspects of GMB (Google My Business) that every business owner needs to handle If you enjoyed this episode, feel free to reach out to Katrin...
2023-10-2524 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh119. Going with the Flow with Robby McClungIn this episode Neel and sits down with Robby McClung of McClumsy.com to talk about how you sometimes have to pivot several times to find yourself going the right way in business. Neel and Robby discuss: - how Robby first got started in entrepreneurship, which was through training as a sommalier and learning that some of his colleagues did cellar management for restaurants - creating an event in an isolated area, then growing in a large way because of the success of it - but also how an event business...
2023-10-1824 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh118. 4 Absolute Worst Businesses to Start in 2023In this short episode, Neel takes a look at four businesses you should be nowhere near this year. The list includes: - Amazon FBA (though he does offer you an alternative platform should you really want to sell products) - Faddy franchises like Crumbl (which are for sale everywhere these days after franchisees realized this was a fad) - Pool routes (though Neel does offer a tweak that could make this work) Neel's all for starting businesses...he just prefers the tried and true, the types that have been...
2023-10-1109 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh116. Exiting a Remote Local Tutor Doctor Franchise, feat Jenny Ness-HunkinIn this episode Neel and chats with Jenny Ness-Hunkin, a former franchisee of Tutor Doctor and now the Franchise Success Manager at MaidThis. A ten-year franchisee herself before a successful exit, Jenny believes in franchising in part because she's had such positive experiences with it. Now she helps MaidThis franchisees scale and exit their businesses, just like she did with hers. Neel and Jenny discuss: - why she decided to start a business in the first place even though she had a decent job - why she considers people to be...
2023-09-2716 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh114. Using WFH 9-5 Job to Launch a Maid Service Side Hustle, an interview with Chris RodriguezIn this episode Neel talks with one of his very own MaidThis franchisees, Chris Rodriguez. Chris has been running MaidThis Miami for just about four months now and gives us the lowdown on how he got here. Neel and Chris discuss: - why a franchise fee was at first a stumbling block, then a recognition of value for Chris - what his main motivation was in starting a business when he already had a solid-paying 9-5 (and how his spouse reacted) - how often Chris posts in the MaidThis...
2023-09-0617 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh113. Acquiring 9 Businesses for $1M+ in Passive Income, with Ujwal VelagapudiIn this episode Neel speaks with Ujwal Velagapudi, who has had a fascinating and unusual journey building businesses in many different industries. One of the more interesting ideas Ujwal shares in the pod is his lack of concern with "maximizing profit." He's okay leaving some money on the table once he has spent time optimizing the business when he first acquires it. Neel and Ujwal also discuss: - Ujwal's attempted retirement in South East Asia - What drives him (hint: it's not money) - Why he now only looks...
2023-08-3021 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh112. Quitting the 9-5 and Starting a High Ticket Sales Closing Biz, with Jeff LundeenIn this episode Neel and sits down with freelance sales coach Jeff Lundeen of Strong Jaw Sales. ⁠Jeff had a good career in a well-paying (though stressful) field: air traffic control. Reading books like Tim Ferriss' Four Hour Work Week awakened a desire to escape the 9-5. Neel and Jeff discuss: - the effect of a one-way ticket to Colombia on kickstarting the entrepreneurial journey - why coming back to the job after that travel only made Jeff more resolved to break out of the 9-5 - why Jeff thinks copywriting an...
2023-08-2316 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh111. Scaling a Maid Service Software Company, with President of Launch27 Omar SantanaIn this episode Neel and sits down with Omar Santana, President of Launch27, a SaaS for cleaning companies. Neel and Omar talk about: - the concerns that any customer has for a SaaS when a private equity group comes in (as happened to Launch27 in 2019) - how many of the solutions in the cleaning company space are similar and why that makes switching even more difficult than normal (no feature to encourage you to jump) - what new features Omar and the team are working on rolling out Omar...
2023-08-1621 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh110. How to have 0 competition: Do Marketing That DOESN'T ScaleAs Neel looks back on previous years, he knows he's spent too much time focusing on the "scaling" aspect of marketing. In this episode, he goes the other way, talking about marketing that doesn't scale, but delivers big results, including: - Apartment Complex Infiltration: just as stealth as it sounds, but is all about quietly building relationships - Neighborhood Blitz - Networking groups, i.e. becoming the "go-to" among a group of fellow business owners Neel notes that this kind of non-scalable marketing can win against the lazy paid...
2023-08-0913 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh109. Turning Digital Cashflow into Real Estate Gold, with Car Wash Guy Kriss BergethonIn this episode Neel and sits down with Kriss Bergethon, known as the "Car Wash Guy" on Twitter. Interestingly, while Kriss is known for car washes, it's actually a side hustle for him. He's full time in the supplements and natural medicine space. Neel and Kriss discuss: - how trying to get in on the self-storage craze led to buying his first car wash - the major tax benefits that a car wash can offer, including Kriss' first refund in more than a decade - why banks love car...
2023-07-2626 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh108. Achieving Financial and Location Freedom...and What Happens After, with Stephen HeinerIn this episode Neel and sits down with Stephen Heiner, who moved to France ten years ago after selling a business. Stephen worked hard to build a dream life, and recently gave all of it up to move to become a volunteer at a religious house. Neel and Stephen discuss: - his path to France and what he did when he arrived - the importance of asking yourself what it is you want at the end of the rainbow - always being ready to re-evaluate where you are, never accepting that...
2023-07-1925 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh107. 1099 vs W-2: Compliance and Contracts for Cleaning Businesses with Andy Agarwal from CCDRAIn this episode Neel and sits down with Andy Agrawal of Weekend Maids, who is also part of the CCDRA (California Coalition of Domestic Referral Agencies). Andy has been running the company for the last 15 years, but it's a family business that has been around for 36 years. Neel and Patrick discuss the importance of compliance, particularly in regards to cleaning companies and properly classifying themselves as referral agencies rather than employers. Among other things, they talk about: - the importance of a solid contract with your service providers and why you don't just want to...
2023-07-1220 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh106: $500K Consulting Side Hustle with Sean O'DowdIn this episode Neel sits down with Sean O'Dowd of The O'Dowd Group. Sean was just looking to pay off the loan he took out to buy an engagement ring for his then-fiancee when he decided to consult on the side. His very first gig was through Upwork and involved proofreading an email for $30. Neel and Sean discuss: - how having a Wharton degree may have helped him land some clients, but how easily his mom, who was a simple librarian without that elite college pedigree, was able to land a $30k consulting...
2023-07-0520 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh105. Local SEO for DummiesNeel recently had to interview a number of SEO vendors in preparation for making a change, and felt like he became a bit of an expert in thinking through what agencies can and should provide for you. Neel talks about what you can expect to pay for decent SEO service ($750-$1500 depending on quality) as well as: - Map Pack ranking and the importance of reviews that mention your key words - The importance (and limits) of blogs - The difference between on-page and technical SEO and why you need both
2023-06-2815 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh104. Coaching Call Series: Taking Your Home Service Biz to the Next Level with Dan Kats of Shorely CleanAs part of his ongoing coaching call series, Neel chats with Dan Kats of Shorely Clean who is building his cleaning business as a side hustle and is looking to grow it quickly but sustainably. Neel offers helpful answers to Dan's questions, including: - The importance of hiring that first employee to help you as soon as possible - The inbound sales conversion rates he expects from his team - The importance of "extending your season" to combat seasonality - Different ways of dealing with add-on services requested by...
2023-06-2124 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh102: Top Marketing Tactics in 2023 (Paid, Free, Semi-Free)You've heard Neel talk about pros and cons of different marketing tactics over the last six months. This episode brings all of those reflections together in one valuable episode so be ready to take notes on: - What's working and what isn't in the Google LSA space - What to look for when researching PPC advertising to see if it will be worthwhile for your company - The power of community marketing, including the hyper-local neighborhood blitz strategy Neel also talks about Thumbtack, a platform that is really doing well for...
2023-06-0711 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh101. Journey to Becoming a Franchisor with Shaina Denny of DogdropIn this episode Neel chats with Shaina Denny, Co-Founder and CEO of Dogdrop. It's a rare discussion with a fellow franchisor, and Neel and Shaina discuss: - how Dogdrop works and its capitalization on America's obsession with pets and their well-being - why Shaina decided to use an FSO (franchise sales organization) instead of using an internal resource - why Neel stopped using Google ads to advertise for franchise leads (he found that social media leads were more qualified) If you want to start your own MaidThis Franchise in...
2023-05-3120 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh100. Exiting the Matrix: My 7-Year Travel JourneyIt got here even faster than we might have thought, but here is episode #100. For this special episode, Neel shares a talk that he gave about his travel journey. You'll learn: - that hunter/gatherer tribes in Africa will tell the same fart jokes you do at home - the power of a smile and how strangers can help you see who you really are - how you can opt-out of the American Dream Neel also shares how he started his journey with fear but ended it with courage...
2023-05-2410 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh99. Community Marketing Using Facebook Groups with Simone of House Mum Home ServicesIn this episode Neel and chats with Simone, Founder of House Mum Home Services, based out of Brisbane, Australia. Simone has a successful business and is so full up with clients she has a waiting list. But she doesn't even have a website! She's a master at community marketing and was kind enough to share some of her tactics and ideas with us. Neel and Simone talk about: - how posting on Facebook to find employees led her to gain customers - what kind of Facebook groups she joins...
2023-05-1717 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh98. Recruiting Top-Level Remote Talent For Your Local Biz, with Anna from RemotivateIn this episode Neel and sits down with Anna Scherbyna, owner of Remotivate, a company that helps entrepreneurs and business owners hire for executive and management roles. Neel and Anna discuss: - what it was for Anna to work in (and build a company in) the remote space in 2017, before it was cool - why growing companies won't only need one type of ops person, they'll need three, each with different price points - the crazy discrepancy at the moment between employers on LI offering remote jobs (13%) and the employees on...
2023-05-1021 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh97. Early 2023 State of the Union for Remote Local Businesses, with Johnny & SergioIn this episode Neel and sits down with Johnny Robinson and Sergio Silesky for a quarterly roundup of what they are seeing in the Remote Local space. Topics covered include: - the effectiveness of Google LSA, both now and in the long term, along with some strategies that can help lift your performance if you're lagging - the "Grand Opening Method" which is about continuing to build a solid lead funnel over time using community marketing - Neel and Sergio's thoughts on keeping your hiring funnel as full as possible. If...
2023-04-2623 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh96. Coaching Call Series: The Power of Niching Down, with Austin of Dalmaidtion CleaningIn another of his coaching series, in which he offers free coaching on a specific problem, Neel chats with Austin, owner of Denver's Dalmaidtion Cleaning, a residential cleaning service with a focus on pet owners. Neel and Austin discuss: - Ways to surprise and delight and offer a "6 star service" - The importance of top-notch cleaners — it is they, more than thank-you notes and gifts, that will retain customers long-term - Leaning into your niche, in Austin's case, making sure new customers get some pet-oriented incentives early on If yo...
2023-04-1917 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh95. Little-Known Business Path to a US Visa and Finding the Perfect Franchise Brand, with Patrick FindaroIn this episode Neel and sits down with Patrick Findaro, author of How to Buy a Franchise: Employee to Entrepreneur in 12 Weeks and owner at VettedBiz.com Patrick hosts a podcast, Franchise Findings, in which he talks about all things related to franchises, including conversations with new and experienced business owners as well as overall reports on industry trends. Neel and Patrick discuss: - a little known visa classification that Patrick didn't find out about for some time that offers non-citizen entrepreneurs a path to residence in the US - what...
2023-04-1219 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh94. Coaching Call Series: When to Expand to a Second CityIn this first of a new series in which he offers free coaching on a specific problem, Neel chats with Gordon, a new cleaning services business owner (https://chloescleaningcompany.com), about why he decided to start franchising. Gordon was also interested in expanding to a new city, and Neel drilled down to ask: - What was the endgame for expansion? - Why did Gordon think expanding was a good strategy? He then went on to give some tips on KPIs that all cleaning services should be checking every week, like
2023-04-0518 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh93. Neighborhood Blitz: HYPER Target Neighborhoods and Crush Local MarketingAs the simple days of "turn on LSA and watch the leads roll in" seems to recede into the distance, those willing to put in the work on community marketing are going to win. Neel shares some tactics he's employed to success, allowing you to get brand visibility and cash in on people in the neighborhood who need your services, including: - EDDM, a USPS postcard service allowing you to blanket a community - Yard signs, an easy way to get visibility over a weekend - Doorhangers, one more opportunity for...
2023-03-2908 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh92. Prepare Now for the Next Season In Your BusinessIn another installment of "fighting traffic by dropping knowledge" Neel shares some thoughts on how to deal with seasonality in your business, whether that's a season of the year or a financial season, like a recession. Neel discusses: - How the challenge in high season, like summer, is often lack of supply to meet demand, which is why businesses need to be hiring now - Why you can't count on a recession to make hiring easier: you need to be focused on optimizing your recruiting funnel While others are fearful, be...
2023-03-2205 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh90. Start a Remote Local Biz in Your Hometown or Elsewhere?Even though the word "remote" is part of a "remote local" business, that doesn't mean you have to start it remotely. In this episode Neel makes arguments for both sides, for starting a remote local business in your hometown and for starting it completely remotely. He covers things like: - Why sometimes a local presence can help you win, particularly with community marketing  - Why sometimes a local presence can slow your growth — Neel shares how he could have systematized remote hiring faster had he not fallen back on the ease and comfort of...
2023-03-0810 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh88. Remote Local Biz State of the UnionIn this episode Neel and Johnny discuss what they've been seeing on the ground for Remote Local Businesses: - What's happening with Google Local Service Ads (LSA) and how to guard against big swings with them - The power of what Neel calls "community marketing" which can include some tedious — but rewarding — work - A "we're in the neighborhood anyway" tactic that can help you pick up new customers  You'll also hear Neel share a story of a woman in Australia who is doing $1M in revenue for cleaning and has no we...
2023-02-1520 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh87. 5 New Marketing Tactics to Survive a Looming Recession (and Google's SEO Reset)As Google tweaks its algorithm and its Local Services ads to deal with AI-created content, you might need to find new ways of reaching customers.  In this episode Neel shares five avenues he's exploring right now (and are working). Some include: - Hypertargeting local Facebook groups using discounts, testimonials, and tagging - Using B2B cold emails in your niche - Getting on the ground with flyers and door-knocking in neighborhoods where you already have clients (or want to) To get detailed tactics for these and other channels Neel i...
2023-02-0812 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh83. How I Will Increase Sales by $300,000 This YearDuring a break from the Conquer Summit Neel took a few moments to share some tactics he plans to implement to push his sales up at the MaidThis location in California this year. One of the pain points driving this change is an increased cost of labor, which Neel had not kept a close eye on. In the episode he discusses: - The difference between recurring customers and re-occurring customers (and why he'll be chasing more of the latter this year) - The ideal ceiling for labor costs in a home services business
2023-01-1113 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh81. Discovering Investment and Remote Hiring Opportunities in AfricaOn this episode, Neel sits down with Weh'yee Barkon of Internally, a firm that helps connect organizations with talented people in Africa. Neel and Weh'yee discuss: - the lack of opportunities available to well-educated, multi-lingual workers in Africa - the consumer education necessary to overcome the bad "brand image" of the continent - the absolute bargains to be had for workers (a full-time 40-hour/week worker can cost $500-$1000 USD a month!) Even though he was born and raised in the US, Weh'yee's parents were from Liberia and he...
2022-12-2821 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh80. Johnny & Neel Top Books in 2022In this episode Neel and Johnny share three books that they enjoyed reading in 2022. — They both show love for Alex Hormozi's $100M Offers, which they've mentioned multiple times on the pod this year. — Johnny mentions his tendency to reread books, one of which is Scaling Up. — Neel mentioned Prisoners of Geography, a book that's helped him see the world a bit differently on his travels. You'll also hear both Neel and Johnny reflect on Russell Brunson's Trilogy of books and the funnel-hacking that his way of thinking inspires. Enjoy the ep...
2022-12-1410 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh77. Using Israeli Special Forces Tactics to Help You Deal with Risks in Life and BusinessSome years ago Neel met Itamar Marani, a former Israeli Special Forces soldier, who in the course of conversations shared risk analysis and mitigation tactics he had been taught.  This includes looking at the magnitude, immediacy, and probability of an event happening, as well as mitigating tactics that can be used to deal with that event, like: — distance — barriers — deterrence — countermeasures Neel walks through these using a hypothetical "man has a knife and wants to hurt you" scenario and then goes on to share a real-life case study, whi...
2022-11-2310 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh74. Who Should NOT Go into EntrepreneurshipIn this episode Neel and Johnny answer the question: "Should everyone go into entrepreneurship?" (Short answer: No.) Entrepreneurship has been so glamorized lately that it's made to seem that everyone can and should be an entrepreneur. Neel and Johnny offer some thoughts on why that's a bad idea: People with low risk tolerance won't do well — every day involves some kind of risk in entrepreneurship. People who have a 9-5 for a very long time (though a franchise might be a good fit in that case) Those who can't deal with constant setbacks will struggle — some week...
2022-11-0216 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh73. Scaling with Partnerships and Extreme Outsourcing, with Jon MatznerIn this episode Neel sits down with Jon Matzner to talk about his journey to small business ownership and eventually a type of franchising Jon calls "affiliating." Jon bought a garage upgrade business and grew it really quickly but when he looked at the franchising landscape he didn't like what he saw and didn't want to create a scenario where franchisees had to come to him with "may I" requests all the time. So, instead he created lots of resources and allowed others to leverage his knowledge to create their own versions of his business. He just...
2022-10-2628 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh71. The Exact Tech Stack Needed To Run Your Remote Local Business on Auto-PilotIn this episode, Neel gives reviews of software he has used to run his remote local businesses in a more automated fashion. Neel starts by breaking down software into core vs. spoke. Core software includes companies like Launch27, BookingKoala, ZenMaid, Jobber, and Housecall Pro. Neel shares what he likes and doesn't like about them and also reminds listeners to consider whether they want a more industry-specific or industry-agnostic platform. Neel also discusses Slack, Zapier, G-Suite, Active Campaign, and the necessity of a VOIP system (after different trials, MaidThis has settled on Dialpad. Enjoy...
2022-10-1213 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh70. Do You Have to Like Your Business or Nah?In this episode Neel and Johnny tackle the question of how entrepreneurs feel about what their business does. While Johnny delves into the idea of what your goals/endgame are and how that can create different answers at different times in your entrepreneurial journey, Neel unapologetically says that you do not have to like what your business does, as long as you don't hate it (people who don't like donuts shouldn't open a donut shop). They also discuss: how sometimes working in your business instead of working on your business can make you dislike...
2022-10-0511 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh68. Gurus like Grant Cardone and Gary Vee: Love 'em or Hate 'em?In this episode Neel and Johnny discuss the business of gurus and how they've both changed their attitude on them over time. Johnny was formerly a hater until he himself became a "guru" by sharing information in free and paid form. As for Neel, he used to be anti-guru too, until he learned to simply "respect the funnel" and see that these guys did work really hard, even if their style wasn't for everyone. They also discuss: Some of their favorite gurus — both Neel and Johnny are Alex Hormozi guys. Their process of "vetting" gu...
2022-09-2114 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh67. 4 Cleaning Biz Marketing Tactics To Help You Make an Extra $10KIn this episode Neel and Johnny give four proven tactics that they have used to drive hundreds of thousands of dollars of sales for their respective cleaning businesses. Those tactics are: Local Facebook Groups (Johnny explains his method of guerrilla marketing in these groups) Cold Email (Neel highlights the template for this underrated way to get new clients) Giveaways (Johnny harnesses the social power of Instagram to get a huge list of new leads) Postcards (Neel shares a brand that allows specific targeting...his favorite target? People who've just moved into the neighborhood) Enjoy the...
2022-09-1414 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh66. Key Lessons from a $50K MastermindIn this episode Neel and Johnny discuss the benefits of a $50,000+ mastermind that Johnny and his business partner joined. Originally Johnny had hired this company to help with sales and in classic "value ladder" style the company overdelivered on the entry-level product so that Johnny was primed to hear an upsell. Things had gone so well with the original sales help they asked for that it was a no-brainer to join the mastermind (even though they had to split up the payments). Johnny's loved all that has happened since, including a training weekend he recently attended.
2022-09-0719 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh65. Experiencing 24 Hours with an African Hunter-Gatherer TribeIn this episode Johnny catches up with Neel about his recent visit with the Hazda tribe in Tanzania. Neel got the special government permission necessary to go out there and learned a lot. Neel's day started with joining some of the members of the tribe hunting for food. He was blown away at how fast the tribal members moved through the bush and how accurate they were with the bow and arrow. Neel and Johnny also discuss: what an average day is like for the Hazda  why the Hazda reject newer technologies and convenience i...
2022-08-2419 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh64. How to Find and Surround Yourself with the Right PeopleIn this episode Neel and Johnny revisit the old quote about the five closest people to you and talk about proactively upgrading those people. They discuss: the power of groups like EO, EOA, and the Dynamite Circle why it's worth paying to join some groups (Johnny paid $50,000+ to join one particular group focused on e-learning businesses) the power of meeting people in Facebook groups and on Twitter. Neel and Johnny also talk about how easy it is to reach out to people on Twitter but how few people actually make the effort to connect, even...
2022-08-1717 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh63. Step-by-Step Guide to Starting a Vacation Rental Cleaning BizIn this episode, Neil gives listeners a step-by-step guide to starting their own vacation rental biz. He starts by highlighting the opportunity: people prefer vacation rentals to hotels now, and there is a huge demand for hotel-level cleaning services and a massive lack of companies to fulfill that need. Steps which Neel outlines includes: Your website: it doesn't need to be perfect...it just needs to get up ASAP Your booking system: will be different for residential cleaning and vacation rental (Neel gives recommendations for both) Your labor: how to get and retain them...
2022-08-1013 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh60. The #1 Best Place I Find Remote Team Members, feat Dan Andrews from the TropicalMBA PodcastIn this episode Neel sits down with Dan Andrews of the Tropical MBA podcast. Neel reveals that Dan is the one who first used the phrase "remote local business" to describe what Neel was doing at MaidThis. Alas, there will be no royalty payouts if the podcast ever sells for a billion dollars :-) Neel and Dan discussed: how to disconnect your location from your earnings to live remotely why remote-first businesses should really spend time on their first few job postings how Dynamite Jobs (one of Dan's companies) is different from other remote...
2022-07-2028 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh59. Leveling Up Your Life Using 8 PillarsIn this solo episode, Neel offers 8 Pillars he uses to audit and improve his personal life. A couple years ago Neel was happy with how systematized his business was, but was shocked as to how not-systematized his personal life was. Inspired by Gary Keller's The One Thing, he created a monthly and weekly system to help him level up in: Health and Vitality Friends and Family Productivity and Performance Lifestyle and Wealth If you want the other four, and how you too can consistently level up in these areas using a simple system, tune in...
2022-07-1311 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh58. Market Your Local Services Business, with SME Mike GrigeryIn this episode Neel interview Mike Grigery of ClickCallSell.com to get the scoop on how to market your local services business. Mike has helped hundreds of companies execute thousands of marketing campaigns and he's been Neel's business coach for sometime. He definitely knows what he's talking about when it comes to home services and how to properly market them. Tune in to learn: The importance of LTV The relationship of brand awareness and online reviews to conversion rates The power of social proof in getting your early customers You'll also hear Mike...
2022-07-0620 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh57. Build a Brand By Sharing What You've Learned in Business LifeIn this episode Neel and Johnny talk about the impact of sharing what you've learned in business. After five years of grinding and building a window cleaning business, Johnny packaged what he learned to create Home Service Academy, which is an e-learning platform that helps people build their own home services business. Neel packaged what he learned after years of building MaidThis in a single location to go the franchisor route. It's important to share the information you learn, because You can end up building a second business, which might be even more profitable...
2022-06-2221 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh56. Remote Working Destinations: Trends, Underrated Spots, and General Digital Nomad Knowledge Bombs with Mitko KarvoshkiIn this leisurely spitball episode, Neel and Mitko Karvoshki talk all things remote work and digital nomad as it applies to different spots around the world: who's winning, who's losing, and who's underrated. If you don't know Mitko, you're missing out! He runs Parable, which produces HBR-style case studies on online bootstrapped businesses and has a weekly newsletter called Remote Insider (subscribe here).  You'll hear Neel and Mitko rap about: Who's winning lately (Bankso, Portugal, and Mexico) Who's losing (unpopular opinion: Bali, Chiang Mai) Who's underrated (Medellin, Tbilisi, Madeira) Why some places never take o...
2022-06-1536 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh55. The Tech Stack You Need for a Remote Local BusinessIn this episode Neel and Johnny discuss various pieces of software that they use to run their businesses. There was clear agreement on some of the big hitters today, like Slack (can't live without it), G-Suite (tons of tools), and Loom (great for training). But there were also some different companies and use-cases discussed: Neel shared his love for Launch27 as his CRM with ActiveCampaign as the email outreach arm of that CRM Johnny loves BookingKoala and uses integrations from NiceJob to get lots of reviews VOIP broke down into Dialpad (Neel) and 3CX...
2022-06-0822 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh54. Making $10k From Scratch, with New Co-host Johnny RobinsonIn this episode Neel and new co-host Johnny Robinson offer a blueprint for earning your first $10k from scratch without reference to cleaning companies, a sector both of them have had a lot of success in. Neel and Johnny outline: where to find subcontractors and how to pay them the importance of the "money milestone," earning that first dollar on the Internet why there really is no such thing as "market saturation" They both also recommend $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi to give you outlines and ideas for making compelling offers to subcontractors and companies.
2022-06-0124 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh53. David Lahav Returns for His Final Episode with the Remote Local PodcastIn this episode Neel and David discuss David's three-month meditation teacher training course and what his future looks like.  His last appearance featured his explaining what he had to do in order to be gone that long from his businesses. This podcast originally began as a co-hosted effort between Neel and David but this is the final episode of that era, as David moves on to what's next in his life (which does not include running a podcast). David shares what his teacher training was like (which included 14 hours of meditation per day for a...
2022-05-2529 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh52. Recession Prep for Your Remote Local BusinessIn this episode Neel offers thoughts on how to make your Remote Local business better prepared for recessions. Neel takes a two-pronged approach to preparing for recessions.   First, he focuses on insulating the business, which can include estimating a percentage dip (25% at MaidThis) and adjusting accordingly, which can include cutting expenses, speeding up receivables, and getting promos ready for email and phone reach out to existing customers. Once that's secure, you can look at opportunities, which can include grabbing up some higher quality labor which may now be available in the workforce as a...
2022-05-1809 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh51. Should You Buy a Franchise or DIY? Keith Levenson of AC Inc Weighs InIn this episode Neel welcomes Keith Levenson of Angela Coté Inc. to talk about franchising. Keith got his start in franchising by actually helping a family entertainment center go through the process themselves.  He then took an opportunity to become a franchise advisor, helping dozens of brands grow by focusing on franchisee growth. Neel and Keith also discuss: Who should franchise (and who shouldn't) the differences between an emerging franchise business and an established one (and who should get involved in either) What a franchisee should look for in a franchise system Enjoy th...
2022-05-1127 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh50. 4 Remote Local Business Models That I Love, feat. SqueegeeGod Johnny RobinsonIn this episode Neel is joined by Johnny Robinson to whiteboard some Remote Local business ideas. Johnny has been on the pod before but we kick off the episode with a brief bio to catch up listeners who may not have heard him before. Neel and Johnny then go back and forth, trading possible ideas with their pros and cons, including: mobile car detailing (both Neel and Johnny love this idea, but the low average ticket amount is a concern painting (there are some challenges in making this remote, particularly around in-person biddings, but...
2022-05-0428 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh49. Run Your Biz On Autopilot Using EOS Lite Pt 2In the second of an ongoing series on EOS, Neil shares his adaptation of Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System, and how he's used it to great success at MaidThis. In this episode Neel gives strategic tips for how to deal with specific aspects of "EOS Lite," including: creating vision (dump the fluff, focus on what's real) developing KPIs via scorecards (lagging, not leading metrics that matter) and rocks (measurable quarterly goals that are reported on each week) running Level 10 Meetings (a highly structured meeting that doesn't waste time and makes sure everyone is getting what he...
2022-04-2817 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh48. Run Your Biz On Autopilot Using EOS Lite Pt 1In the first of an ongoing series on EOS, Neil shares his adaptation of Gino Wickman's Entrepreneurial Operating System, and how he's used it to great success at MaidThis. Things Neel learned in the process of creating an "EOS Lite" include: how to have quarterly meetings that ran like clockwork and had clear and measurable KPIs how an org chart can help you figure out which roles really matter how clarity on core values in concert with the org chart led him to clear out some poor fits the GWC ("get it, want it, capacity") rubric...
2022-04-2711 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh46. Multiple Remote Local Exits, Including a Fully-Remote Call Center: an Interview with Donald SpannIn this episode Neel sits down with Donald Spann to look over the pros and cons of the various remote local business models he has tried. Like Neel, Donald was part of the Launch27 crew, aka the "cleaning company mafia," which came out of a subreddit thread back in 2013.  While Neel has continued to grow his cleaning business, Donald has exited his and iterated around remote local concepts. Neel and Donald chat about How Donald started Vicki Virtual, a fully remote call center service, from observing a pain point that cleaning companies had The c...
2022-04-0631 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh45. Thinking About Exiting Your BusinessIn this episode Neel shares different ways to think about exiting your business, including his own current plans for MaidThis. While some might say that you need to know what your exit plan is before you even start your business, Neel very much advocates for starting first and thinking more short-term, in terms of one year. He goes on to share four frames to use when thinking about exiting a business: No strategy (buying a job) Scale and sell to private equity Legacy (pass on to family) Automated asset (this is Neel's current choice...
2022-03-3009 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh44. Running a $1.5M SaaS While Nomading Around the World: an Interview with Amar Ghose of ZenMaidIn this episode Neel chats with Amar Ghose, Founder and CEO of ZenMaid. Neel and Amar have managed not to meet, despite being the only two in their digital entrepreneur group in the cleaning space over the past few years.  One time Amar left Chiang Mai for a few weeks and Neel happened to show up during the same time (everyone said it was just a swap out! :-) ). Neel and Amar discuss: the importance of "owning" the career ladder instead of climbing it choosing between lifestyle design and high growth why the four d...
2022-03-2325 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh42. Develop a Superpower: Dealing With Angry CustomersIn this episode Neel and David discuss the classic question of how to deal with angry customers. As with so many great business (and life) tactics, this starts with having the right mindset.  In this case, learning how to deal with irate customers can help you develop a superpower, something that can help you walk into any confrontational situation with confidence, helping you get what you want, and defusing the problem in the process. Neel and David also discuss: Not taking the criticism personally How to de-escalate situations The importance of validating the customer's f...
2022-03-0915 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh40. The Hiring Funnel & Metrics - Your Ultimate Hiring Flywheel Pt 3In the last of a three-part series, Neel gives you an ultimate guide to hiring, from his own successful playbook! This episode focuses tweaking your flywheel to make sure it's working at its best. Neel also shares: What he does on screening calls The purpose of a test job How many cleaners he actually ends up with from 20 applicants (shockingly low!) Collect all three! If you haven't listened to the first two episodes in this mini-series, do so now!
2022-02-2307 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh37. How To Buy a Local Business In Another State And Run It Remotely, an interview with Chris MunnIn this episode Neel interviews Chris Munn, a fellow remote local entrepreneur. Chris grew up in Detroit, now lives in LA (though he lived in Paris for a while), but has a cleaning business based in Tampa.  Neel connected with him on Twitter and they had a chance to meet and connect in real life and decided to continue on some of the themes they had a chance to discuss when together, including: Chris' start in business via residential real estate Why Chris prefers the multiples on offer in real estate vs those in small business H...
2022-02-1625 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh35. Identifying Your Limiting Beliefs and Why Working Less = More GrowthIn this episode Neel and David talk about limiting beliefs, how to identify them, and how to replace them with empowering beliefs. David has been preparing to leave for 90 days off the grid and was worried one of his businesses would implode and Neel was battling the idea that more growth = worse life.  Both of them share how these limiting beliefs paralyzed them for a while and how they moved past them. They also discuss: Why it can be hard to identify those beliefs Why you can't just eliminate them, you must replace them w...
2022-02-0227 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh33. Pt 2: Applying The “One Big Secret” to Our Podcast - Live Brainstorm SessionIn this episode Neel and David brainstormed, putting the podcast itself into the frame that they discussed in Episode 32: the three levels of entrepreneurship. If you haven't listened to that episode yet, do so, so that this episode will make more sense! Neel and David consider the podcast to be still at Level 1, aka "Podcasting for Dummies."  They discussed the origins of the podcast, why they prefer a conversation/co-host format, and why they keep the episodes short in length. They also discuss: Different ways they could grow the podcast The importance of an e...
2022-01-1920 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh32. Pt 1 - The One Big Secret of Successful Local Biz EntrepreneursIn this episode Neel and David share the ONE BIG SECRET of successful remote local business owners. Okay, so the secret is...well you're going to have to listen to the episode to get it, but here are some of the other things Neel and David talk about: "Level 1" entrepreneurship, which is essentially like building and working in your own job "Level 2" entrepreneurship, which involves trying many different things while you develop a secret sauce  "Level 3" entrepreneurship, in which you strive to be the "dumbest person in your company" Enjoy the episode!
2022-01-1216 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh30. Being Off The Grid Completely for 3 Months - How To Get Your Biz To Run 100% Without YouIn this episode Neel and David discuss his upcoming disappearing act: he's going to be totally off-grid for the first three months of 2022. David has been doing meditation for 6-7 years now and sees a three-month off-the-grid training to be a teacher in the Vedic meditation tradition as the next step.  But he has a portfolio of businesses...what to do? Neel quizzes David on: What his endgame is How David used delegation, promotion, and partnership to prepare for this What "growth" looks like with his being away What things might look like when h...
2021-12-2923 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh28. Pt 1 - New Year's "Resolutions" Suck - How To Plan Cool Sh*t for Next YearIn this episode Neel and David tell you why they think New Year's Resolutions are no good and what they have planned for 2022. David is starting 2022 with a three month off-grid meditation teacher training.  Neel will be spending 10 days in Panama in the first quarter of 2022 doing some survival training.  They talk about the methodology they use to make plans for big events like these and what else they have planned for the year. They also discuss: Jesse Itzler's calendar hacking Tactics to make the end of your year thoughtful and reflective The concept of...
2021-12-2219 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh29. Pt 2 - Neel & David's Reflections Of Their YearIn this episode Neel and David build on their "New Year's Resolutions Suck" episode by reflecting on 2021. Both Neel and David built strong romantic relationships this year, and also started this podcast. For Neel, that meant getting out of his comfort zone and engaging more on social media and elsewhere.  But it was also part of something that David had introduced him to the last time they spent a lot of time together: meeting people that are very different from himself.  He's curious about replicating that through maybe joining an online community in the next ye...
2021-12-2219 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh27. How To Make Business Decisions When You're Feeling Emotional or TriggeredIn this episode Neel and David discuss how emotions play into personal and business decisions, and a system for how to avoid making poor decisions. When Neel isn't running MaidThis he enjoys buying and selling real estate on the side and he recently got to closing day with a buyer that ended up being dishonest.  He recorded this episode on the day he got the news that the buyer was trying to change the deal at the last moment so we recorded this as a time capsule of this thoughts. David asks: How Neel f...
2021-12-1515 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh26. How To Use Social Media Challenges To Level UpIn this episode Neel and David discuss their recent deeper dives into social media and why it's been a challenge for them. David has really been very active on Instagram and Neel has spent more time on Twitter.  Both of them have been less willing to be involved in social media in the past simply because they weren't entirely comfortable on various platforms.  But both of them have come to separately realize that there are opportunities to engage with people in a real way that doesn't need to focus on follower count or number of likes. ...
2021-12-0821 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh24. Do You Have An Abundance Or Scarcity Mindset?In this episode Neel and David discuss the well-known abundance vs. scarcity dichotomy. Both Neel and David came from immigrant backgrounds which had a certain amount of scarcity baked into their upbringing and have had to unlearn some of that programming.  David notes that one of the ways he knew he was embracing an abundance mindset was the willingness to invest in himself. They also discuss: How you can't save your way to financial independence The inability of fear or scarcity to add any value to your business and personal lives Why chasing your d...
2021-11-2423 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh21: Building Your Marketing Engine When You Have A Brand-New Local BusinessIn this episode Neel and David discuss how to build your marketing strategy when you're just starting out. David sets the stage for the discussion by pointing out that every business wants a consistent, profitable stream of customers without too high of an acquisition cost.  How do you do that? Neel and David explain: Different channels (both online and offline) available to businesses Using your competition to reverse engineer a marketing plan The importance of testing and budgeting in different channels The need to stay focused on one or two channels at a time i...
2021-11-0322 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh19: Best Timezones To Live In For Your Work StyleIn this episode Neel and David discuss how timezones affect your remote local business, whether you are traveling for business or pleasure. David was running his business in Colorado for a few years before deciding to live in Israel for a year, and he was sometimes answering the phone in the middle of the night.  Neel wasn’t ever that crazy and brought on someone pretty early to help with calls and even when he did go away, it was to time-compatible Latin America. They also discuss: Stories and challenges working in Europe and Asi...
2021-10-2016 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh18: Does living in a 'small market' hinder your entrepreneurial growth?In this episode Neel and David discuss the impact of where you live in relation to your entrepreneurial growth. Neel begins by stating his own preference for a larger city, where he will get access to more activities and a community that will push him to work harder.  He characterizes this as “big city energy.” David’s own preferences are split: he enjoys being out in nature, near the mountains or the beach, but also enjoys the momentum and energy that can come from being in a bustling and busy environment. As the discuss...
2021-10-1318 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh12: Moving from Solopreneur to CEOMany entrepreneurs start off being "solopreneurs", meaning you're the only one managing everything and work only for yourself. As business owners scale, many want to start adding teammembers and building a team, which is when the shift happens to become the "CEO" of your company. In this episode, David & Neel dissect:  Why is it so hard to go from solopreneur to CEO? Is it even worth it? Mindset needed to transition from Solopreneur to CEO Lessons from David’s coaching client about this Current stage Neel is in on this journey
2021-09-0129 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh10: Acquisitions Pt 3: How To Value Local Businesses and Close the SaleToday's episode is final episode (Part 3 of 3) in what we call the "Acquisition Series". David & Neel dive into two recent acquisition opportunities, one of which closed successfully, and discuss the closed sale, the diligence process, and lessons learned. You'll learn about: An acquisition opportunity for Neel and the plan for how he would immediately increased value overnight What multiples local service businesses sell for  How to identify value-adds to immediately improve your bottom-line
2021-08-1132 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh07: From Venture Capital to Running a Remote Local Business - Neel's StoryHave you ever dreamed of quitting your day job and traveling the world? On the show, Neel shares how he started MaidThis.com, and why he quit his lucrative finance job to start a cleaning business..and how he has never looked back since. Neel was traveling the world for the last 5 years while scaling his own business and is now franchising this "remote local" business model to motivated entrepreneurs. What You’ll Learn Where the idea for MaidThis came along How Neel managed his side hustle while working full-time with long ho...
2021-07-2129 minDiary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh
Diary of a Franchise with Neel Parekh05: How To Meet People While TravelingProbably the most common fear for solo travelers is "How will I meet people while traveling?" The answer: its way easier than you think. Through their experiences solo traveling for years, Neel & David discuss the traveler community and break down their best tips for making friends and meeting people while globetrotting.  In this episode, Neel & David discuss: Best places to meet like-minded people while traveling What kind of people/communities exist in the traveler world and what to look for The worry of being lonely while traveling to a new place alone M...
2021-07-0721 min