Summary

In this conversation, Michael Fay shares his journey from working at Subway during high school to becoming a successful multi-unit franchise owner. He discusses the importance of early experiences in retail, the lessons learned from various companies like Blockbuster and frozen yogurt businesses, and the significance of company culture and direct feedback. Michael emphasizes the value of following established systems, the importance of building a strong team, and his unique approach to turning around struggling restaurants. The conversation highlights the collaborative relationship between Michael and Josh, showcasing their mutual respect and shared experiences in business.

Takeaways

• Uncover the surprising life lessons hidden behind the counter of your local Subway that could unlock your own success story.
• Master the art of feedback and uncomfortable conversations to catapult your career to new heights.
• Dive into the high-stakes world of franchise ownership, where one wrong move could cost you everything.
• Uncover the surprising truth about employee happiness and why a thriving company culture is the ultimate competitive advantage.
• See how one entrepreneur used creativity to dominate the frozen yogurt scene in a battle for brain freeze.
• Discover the essential policies and training programs that separate successful companies from those that crumble under pressure.
• Meet the operational masterminds who keep the gears turning behind the scenes and empower businesses to reach their full potential.
• Explore restaurants' strategies to stay ahead of the curve and thrive in a cutthroat industry.
• Discover the secrets behind Subway's global domination and whether their proven playbook can be replicated for success in any industry.
• Learn how creating a family-like environment can foster unwavering loyalty and commitment in your team.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Michael Fay

02:51 Early Lessons at Subway

08:21 Company Culture Insights from Blockbuster

10:30 Innovating in the Frozen Yogurt Business

14:04 The Flex Academies Experience

16:53 The Subway Journey Begins

20:57 The Turnaround Guy Philosophy

23:44 The Importance of Following the Subway Playbook

26:34 Building a Strong Team Culture

30:46 Creating a Family-Like Environment

34:51 Conclusion and Reflections

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Summary

In this conversation, Devin Schain shares his journey from personal challenges, including his parents' divorce, to becoming a successful entrepreneur and the founder of Shalom Learning. He discusses the importance of resilience, the lessons learned from his early business ventures, and how he adapted to create an innovative online Hebrew school that addresses the needs of modern Jewish families. The conversation also touches on the impact of recent events on the Jewish community and the importance of education in fostering connection and understanding.

Takeaways

• Devin's journey as an entrepreneur has been a rollercoaster ride, teaching him that resilience and adaptability are the keys to survival in the ever-changing world of education.
• Devin's childhood wasn't all sunshine and rainbows; a major family upheaval forced him to grow up fast and ignited a fire in him to prove himself.
• Before Shalom Learning, Devin was already a young hustler with a string of ventures—some brilliant, some busts, and one that almost landed him in hot water with the authorities!
• Frustrated with outdated Hebrew education, Devin's radical idea for improvement was met with resistance and skepticism.
• Devin discovered that passionate teachers are the secret weapon of any successful program, but finding and keeping them would be his biggest challenge yet.
• Forget stuffy classrooms and dusty textbooks; Devin had a vision for 21st-century learning that would blow your mind, but could he convince others to embrace it?
• Just when Shalom Learning was hitting its stride, disaster struck!
• Devin knew Jewish education wasn't just about textbooks; building a vibrant community with diverse needs would be a delicate balancing act.
• Shalom Learning isn't just about teaching Hebrew; it's about instilling a love of Jewish heritage in a world of distractions.
• Shalom Learning has exploded in popularity from humble beginnings, but with rapid growth comes new challenges and unexpected growing pains.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Early Life Challenges

09:59 Entrepreneurial Journey Begins

20:09 The Birth of Shalom Learning

29:50 Adapting to a Changing World

Want more help getting leads and sales?

👉✨ Book a FREE strategy call with me. Together we'll look at your entire lead gen system and see where you need to focus to start bringing in high-quality, high-converting leads!

Brindala Mallappa has always been surrounded by extremely smart, strong, and successful women. Her mother was one of seven children – all women – and all well-educated at a time in India when women were not given many chances to learn.

But - a family full of women as role models did not mean that life was going to be easy in India or the United States for Brindala.

By watching our show about this smart woman with sage advice, you’ll learn about:

• How Brindala forged her own career as a thriving business owner all while building a family in America;

• Why her company of about 1,000 employees values each and every member of their team - and especially their mental health;

• How she merged her passion for women’s safety and technology to create GuardOn, her attempt to make the world a safer place for everybody.

Breakers band together as we talk to this exciting and experienced entrepreneur Brindala Mallappa.

David Conelias has a, “try it and see,” approach to life. From building and making his own skis to sell, to researching beer and meat products to produce to finally landing in the education space after a successful career as an engineer, it’s David’s adventurous spirit and grounded approach to business ventures that has made his company, Milestone C established in 2017 what it is today.

Sheryle Gillihan was born in the Philippines and lived there until she was six. That is when her Air Force father brought her and her mother to America for a better life.

But - that life she was privileged to live in the US didn’t mean she forgot where she was born and the struggle that was her life before she came to America.

By listening to our show about this military brat and most benevolent entrepreneur, you will learn about:

• How traveling around the world with her family gave Sheryle a unique perspective on the tough lives other children were living while she found a home in the States; 

• Why Sheryle left the military herself after only one year to be a stay-at-home Mom and how she still wrestles with this today;

• And how this social entrepreneur today is channeling her seemingly endless energy and desire to do good in this world into her digital media business.

Breakers band together as we talk to this super sweet and savvy Sheryle Gillihan.  

Brian Beers was born into a family of entrepreneurs. In fact, he was destined to become an owner of a Midas muffler repair shop since two generations of men in his family had been franchise owners.

But Beers actually inherited six Midas shops in 2010 that were losing money or just breakeven so he had completely overhaul the engine of the business and redo the body. A total rebuild.

By listening to our show today, you'll learn:

• How Beers and his family have been in the Midas franchise business since the 1960’s and how Midas is actually very family friendly as a business;

• How Beerstook the business from six stores in 2010, lead an expansion in 2016, and now - along with his brother - owns 30 Midas shops in the Philadelphia area;

• And we will also throw it into fifth gear with Beers on how he runs his business, focuses on employees, and how really he thinks he could be successful in any industry;

Breakers don’t pump the breaks on this one, let’s welcome Brian Beers to the show!

Shelley Morris is a seasoned strategic consultant & C-suite advisor in multiple industries. AND, that includes more than two decades at New Horizons Computer Learning Centers where she finished as the executive VP and COO.

But – you might not know that she got a healthy dose of entrepreneurial energy working as a kid for her grandfather at his famous pharmacy on Irving Street in Portland, Oregon.

By listening to our show today about this former pharmacy worker turned pizza pro turned executive VP, you will learn about:

• How growing up in her grandfather’s pharmacy taught her hard work and guided her career path;

• How working at just three other organizations after college - yes, just three - is a symbol of loyalty and an example for younger colleagues;

• And how this entrepreneur has a unique view that there is no such thing as bad decisions, which will be must-see tv for our community of breakers who, as Founders and CEOs we, are making decisions every single day.

Breakers band together as we talk to this badass entrepreneur Shelley Morris!

Nathan Hammond has never been afraid to speak his mind or break a rule – especially if it meant he was going to improve his life or, more importantly - the lives of others. As an American-born kid growing up in Austria, he thrived on standing up and standing out, which made him a born leader. And a natural-born entrepreneur.

But – Nathan’s ability to be a breaker and be better would also get him into trouble in elementary school and through his first job as a German teacher in Syracuse, NY.

By listening to our show today, you'll learn:

- What it was like for Nathan growing up in Austria and Germany, the son of missionaries, and having to fit into the European culture and school system;

- How he took his passion for being a breaker into the classroom as a teacher and turned his classroom upside down with technology for two decades;

- And - how Nathan turned conversations with his superintendent and other faculty into a full-time job as an ed tech entrepreneur with a new thriving product – e-Hall Pass.

Breakers band together and be ready to hear hilarious and heartwarming stories from Nathan Hammond.