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Laura Rolfe Podcasts

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Powered by Franchising breaks down successful business ownership utilizing the franchise model, working for yourself but not by yourself, to create financial freedom with the power to change people’s lives.
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Women At Work

Samantha Sutherland

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There's so much to balance when you're managing a career and a family and it's not easy, but you're not alone. Women at Work, with Samantha Sutherland, who talks to working mothers about the juggle and the struggle, tips for navigating the workforce and how they manage their lives.
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Legacy isn’t built overnight — it’s built intentionally. On this episode of Powered by Franchising, Kate and I sit down with Jessica Shipley, Director of Franchise Development for Blingle!, part of the HorsePower Brands family of brands. We talk about what it really means to create a legacy through business ownership — from choosing the right franc…
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In this special Powered by Franchising episode, Laura Rolfe sits down with her kids, Kate and John, to talk about growth, family, leadership, and why business ownership isn’t all-or-nothing—including an honest look at timing, W-2 employment, and long-term planning. #PoweredByFranchising #BusinessOwnership #Franchising #EntrepreneurshipJourney #Fami…
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I’m joined by Eric Steward, VP of Franchise Development at Pillar To Post Home Inspectors, to unpack what makes home inspection a compelling and resilient franchise opportunity. We discuss: ✔ Why home inspection remains strong in shifting real estate markets ✔ The ideal profile for a successful Pillar To P…
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Today's guest is Dr Ashley McGrath, a self-described eternal optimist, fun friend, mum, step mum, wife, and a woman after my own heart, lives her life seeking forgiveness, not permission. Ashley has a personal mission to have a positive impact on one billion lives. And she's well on her way. As CEO of CEO's for Gender Equity, she brings together ov…
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In all my conversations with women, the quote most often shared with me is this feeling we have as working mothers that we're expected to work as if we don't have children while raising our children as if we didn't have a job. And today's guest is none other than the original author of that quote, Annabel Crabb, who's influential book The Wife Drou…
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In this solo episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura shares six essential books that every franchise owner, entrepreneur, and business leader should read. These books have shaped thousands of successful franchisees and provide the mindset, systems, and leadership tools needed to run a high-performing business. Whether you’re exploring franchise ow…
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Founder Kristina Butler and her daughter Heather join us to share how Comfort Keepers grew from a heartfelt mission into a leading senior care franchise. It’s a meaningful conversation about family, caregiving, and purpose in franchising—full of passion, purpose, and the heart behind a brand that changes lives every day. A beautiful reminder that f…
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On this episode of Powered by Franchising, we sit down with Lance Freeman of Limitless Franchise Growth—who’s leading the charge behind two powerhouse brands: Jetset Pilates and Fundraising University. We dive into two very different but equally exciting franchise opportunities: ✨ Jetset Pilates—sleek, modern, design-driven boutique fitness with st…
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Breaking down the freshest franchise trends heading into 2026—including why “boring-but-profitable” brands are booming, how micro-markets and small towns are becoming gold mines, what the 6–10-week evaluation process really looks like, and the funding insights future owners need to know. If business ownership is on your radar, this episode gives yo…
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Thinking about your next chapter? Whether you’re approaching retirement or ready to leverage years of business experience, franchising may be your smartest investment. In this Powered by Franchising episode, I talk with Lance Graulich of Eye On Franchising about how proven franchise systems turn decades of experience into lasting success — with a 9…
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Richard, founder of Richard’s Paintings, to explore how he transformed a local painting business into a growing franchise built on trust, mentorship, and meticulous craftsmanship. We talk about what it takes to maintain quality across every location, how culture becomes a competitive advant…
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On this episode of Powered by Franchising, I talk with Shane Lynch, President of Storm Guard, the nation’s first exterior restoration franchise. Discover how Storm Guard helps homeowners rebuild after storms — and how franchise owners are building recession-resistant businesses in this booming industry. Book a call to explore Storm Guard or other f…
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From neighborhood roots to national growth — Woofie’s is redefining pet care franchising. 🐾 In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe and Kate Rolfe chat with Jill Devlin and Jason Henshaw, Franchise Managers with Woofie’s, to explore how compassion and community drive business success. 💡 Inside the episode: ✨ How Woofie’s evolved unde…
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Women retire with 28% less super than men on average. Women over the age of 55 are the fastest growing group of homelessness, driven in large part by lower or nil super balances. And that super gap is driven by all the barriers we talk about on this podcast all the time - women are paid less so their compulsory super payments are lower, they take t…
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Australia is one of the wealthiest nations on earth, but your gender can determine how much of that wealth you have. Australian women are almost twice as likely as men to experience financial insecurity, lower levels of financial wellbeing, and poverty throughout our lives as men. Today's guest is Jenny Rolfe-Wallace a qualified teacher and financi…
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From DIY headaches to streamlined success — outsourced bookkeeping is transforming franchising. In this episode, we sit down with Max Emma, Founder of BooXkeeping, to explore how his franchise model is helping entrepreneurs and franchisors scale smarter. Why bookkeeping errors cost more than you think Tools & strategies that give franchisees an edg…
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What is a fire investigator? Is the first question I asked when a listener recommended I speak with Vithyaa Thavapalan. I don't know the answer yet, but I know it's a very male dominated industry. Women make up less than 5% of urban firefighters and cultures of toxicity have been exposed. How do you push against gender and cultural expectations to …
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, we sit down with James Young, President of Pet Butler Franchise, to discuss how Pet Butler is transforming the pet services industry through franchising. From recurring revenue and multi-stream service lines to unmatched franchisee support, James shares how Pet Butler is “serving pets and their people” whi…
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This year, the number of women in both houses of Parliament reached a record-making 50.5%, that's the highest number of women in Australian federal politics ever. And as Ruth Bader Ginsburg said, "Women belong in all places where decisions are being made." Today's guest, Licia Heath, shares RBG's sentiment, and has dedicated her work to getting mor…
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After exploring independent businesses for more than three years, Eric Aramian realized franchising was the smarter choice. Instead of inheriting someone else’s problems—old trucks, bad employees, outdated systems—he launched fresh with the Insulation Commandos franchise. In this episode, we dive into: ✅ Why Eric chose franchising over buying an ex…
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Artificial Intelligence has a gender gap - Women are being left behind and are up to 40% less likely to use AI. You know what else has a gender gap? Pay. The current gender pay gap in Australia is 21.8%, and every industry has a gender pay gap that sees men earning more than women – including women-dominated industries like retail, and healthcare a…
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Crystal Petry—grant writing expert, media producer, speaker, and consultant—whose career spans over two decades of elevating voices and building thriving organizations. From securing millions in grant funding to mentoring future leaders, Crystal shares how business ownership, storytelling, …
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Luxury. Integrity. Mission. Excellence. ✨ These aren’t just words—they’re the foundation of LIME Painting®, the nation’s first and only luxury painting company. In this episode, I sit down with Nick Lopez, Founder & CEO, to explore how LIME Painting sets the bar high with a values-driven culture, high-end client focus, and a franchise model that de…
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Laura Stewart had a big career. Then she had a baby. She went back to work, and it was a disaster – sidelined, treated differently, and a toxic workplace. So, like the rest of the 30% of women who leave their jobs within a year of having a baby, Laura left. But also like the rest of that 30%, she didn't leave the workforce, she just left a job that…
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From backyard messes to big business opportunities—DoodyCalls is turning pet waste cleanup into a booming franchise model. In this episode, I sit down with Chad Harrison, Franchise Development at Authority Brands, to explore how this unique home service business delivers recurring revenue, strong community impact, and a surprisingly fun entrepreneu…
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Leah Ruppanner is the kind of person every single working mother wants to speak to, because she knows all about how your life feels, and how to fix it. She's debunking outdated gender stereotypes, like women are happier as 'homemakers' and men are bumbling caregivers, often stitching viral tiktok videos to explain, in layman's terms, what the under…
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From tattoos at headquarters to a flat-fee royalty model that changed the game—Anytime Fitness is not your typical gym franchise. 💪 In this episode, I sit down with Tony Wind, who shares what makes this global brand thrive, how franchisees build community beyond fitness, and why the purple key logo inspires loyalty worldwide. Whether you’re a fitne…
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For some people, their authenticity shines through as soon as you meet them, and today's guest Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano is one of those people. With her pink and purple hair, a nose ring, and a big warm smile, she doesn't look like your typical tech person, but she's doing amazing work to embed equitable people & culture (more on what that is later…
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What separates thriving franchise owners from those who struggle? It's not just capital or location—it's their commitment to continuous learning. In this episode, I'm sharing 5 game-changing business books every franchise owner should have on their shelf: 📚 Atomic Habits - Why small daily improvements compound into franchise success 📚 Traction - Ho…
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Every woman has a story about 'that guy' at work, the who says inappropriate things – or worse. And many women, myself included, have a story about making a complaint and then their contract suddenly comes to an end. In December 2022, Australia's Respect @ Work legislation came into effect, introducing a new positive duty for companies to proactive…
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Here's a career pattern you'll recognise: first, you're young, ambitious and driven, then kids arrive and you step back. A Nobel prize was actually awarded for research into that step back - so it's officially very common. Side note, Your husband's career carries on uninterrupted while you manage everything. Then as the kids get older, you step for…
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Tired of guessing which franchise is right for you? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I break down the Zoracle Business Builder Profile—a powerful tool that compares your strengths and values to top-performing franchisees across industries. 🎯 Whether you're a Connector, Director, Belonger, or Integrator, understanding your franchise DNA is…
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Still working a 9–5 but dreaming of something more? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, we explore why business ownership—specifically franchising—is a smart, strategic path for professionals who want to diversify income, build long-term wealth, and eventually break free from the golden handcuffs of corporate life. Drawing insights from Forb…
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This conversation with Susanne Legena exceeded my expectations, and I obviously only invite people on who I expect will be interesting in the first place! Susanne has dedicated her life to supporting equality and rights for girls, as CEO of Plan Australia. Susanne is a passionate feminist and champion of young people, and is navigating her big care…
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"The truth is you do need to be a superwoman to have a successful career and be a present parent and we need to be honest about this". Wise words from today's guest, Stacey O'Dea. This honesty is exactly what I want to bring to this podcast. Because when you hear that in order for someone to have a big job and a family, they're dropping balls all o…
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Sally Hasler took a new job when she was 36 weeks pregnant, then immediately went on maternity leave. Far from being the career handbrake we've been led to expect from a move like that, she's now CEO of Women's Health Victoria. And women's health is in focus. Almost $800m was committed in the last budget to fill the gaps in women's healthcare – and…
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I tried to cheat and get ChatGPT to help me write today's intro, and it gave me a bunch of waffle about how Chief Executive Women sounds like a group that comes together to drink champagne and whinge about their husbands. That tells you everything we need to know about AI bias. In reality, CEW's 1300 members oversee more than $750 billion in revenu…
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The technology industry has a persistent gender gap. And according to RMIT university, the biggest single opportunity to close Australia's digital skills gap is (drumroll please)… women. But here's the kicker - this isn't just about tech. This is about power, money, and who gets to shape the future. When women make up only 30% of the technology wor…
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Today’s Powered by Franchising guest is one of my favorites—Rich Bruno, Keynote Speaker, Executive Coach, and Franchise Owner. With 30 years in corporate leadership at Johnson & Johnson and over a decade operating successful franchise businesses, Rich knows exactly what it takes to lead, scale, and succeed. We dive into: ✅ The grit and mindset need…
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Having a favorite podcast episode is like having a favorite child, so officially I loved all conversations equally, and learned so much from all of the guests. Consistently the guests on Women at Work reject that notion that we need to fix the women and instead agree we need to fix systems and cultures. But while we wait for that to happen, we are …
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, Laura Rolfe and co-host Kate Rolfe dive into some of the summer’s hottest franchise opportunities—from fitness and health to home services and vending. You’ll hear success stories like Jason Kinaski’s recent placement with Anytime Fitness, along with exciting brands gaining momentum like Mister Sparky, Sta…
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The first time Kayshie Tilak Ramesh experienced racism was in year three. Later, despite being born in Griffith, NSW and raised in Bendigo, VIC, when she was the multicultural youth commissioner she was asked to share her refugee story. Now, she's changing systems, one conversation at a time. In this conversation, Khayshie will share her recent exp…
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Looking for a scalable, semi-passive franchise that’s easy to sell and offers big rewards? In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Patrick Brennan from NTV 360—a digital indoor billboard advertising franchise offering high-margin, recurring revenue with no storefront, no employees, and minimal overhead. With exclusive territories…
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Louise Baxter had a very successful career in advertising, when she hit a moment of truth, and realised she wanted to do something more meaningful with her life. Fast forward, and Louise has now been CEO of Starlight Foundation for 16 years, proving through action (and results) that a culture of positivity doesn't just feel good — it drives every b…
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I’m joined by Samantha Wallace and Jenna Perese from Homewatch CareGivers, a leading home care franchise that has been delivering compassionate care since 1980. We explore how their proven franchise model meets the growing demand for in-home care as the U.S. population ages, and why now is the perfect time…
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Professor Nareen Young is Associate Dean, Indigenous Engagement and Leadership at UTS Business School, and leads the Jumbunna Institute of Indigenous Education and Research. She is one of Australia's most respected workplace diversity practitioners and thinkers. For 15 years, prior to UTS and Jumbunna, Nareen was the Director of PWC Indigenous Cons…
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In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I sit down with Dennis Schooley, Founder of Schooley Mitchell — the largest independent cost reduction consulting franchise in North America. With offices coast to coast and a model built on contingency-based billing, Schooley Mitchell helps businesses of all sizes boost profitability without upfront costs…
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Nobody wants a drain problem — and that’s exactly where Zoom Drain thrives. In this episode of Powered by Franchising, I chat with Dillin Siwinski, Director of Franchise Development at Zoom Drain, about how this essential, niche service is taking the home services world by storm. Zoom Drain’s hyper-focused, same-day drain and sewer solutions make t…
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Sophie McCarthy had some big shoes to fill. Her mother Wendy has been at the forefront of feminist activism for decades, and Sophie picked up the mantle and is making her own huge impact on gender equality. As CEO of McCarthy mentoring, Sophie partners with leading companies to design programs that drive change, engage people and develop leaders. W…
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