Empowerment is at the Core of Female-Led Franchise Fastlane
During March, we honor Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day. Those occasions are more than just calendar celebrations for me and my team at Franchise FastLane and our brand partners. I am proud to have created a female-led company with accomplished career-oriented women like Kelle Brink Cain, Carin Skowronsky, Liz Barnes, and Jessica McLean, who hold several top leadership positions.
Female empowerment also extends to several franchisors in our portfolio. In fact, we employ a higher percentage of women staffers than any other franchise sales organization (FSO) in the industry!
Entering a New “Renaissance Era”
The era of female success in the business world isn’t coming soon; it’s already here. In 2023, Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” feature film skyrocketed to the top of the box office on its way to earning $1 billion. Speaking of a billion dollars, that’s how much revenue was generated not once – but twice – when ticket sales were calculated for the sold-out concert tours of pop sensations Taylor Swift and Beyoncé. And women are clearly paying attention when it comes to emulating success on an entrepreneurial level. According to some of the most recent statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau, women-owned businesses are currently responsible for employing 10 million workers, nearly $500 billion in payroll, and a combined $2.1 trillion in revenue. Over the last 20 years, female business ownership has risen an astonishing 114%.
Women Turn to Franchise Ownership
It’s a well-known fact that franchising’s success can be traced back to the industry’s proven business models, comprehensive training and ongoing support. According to Zippia, nearly a third of all current franchise owners in the U.S. are female. Among the brands in Franchise FastLane’s portfolio, there are five female leaders, including Amanda Gingold, co-founder of DonutNV; Sarah Nuse, CEO of Tippi Toes; Megan Reilly, COO of Tippi Toes; Courtney Yeager, founder and CEO of The Tox; and Ellen Rohr, co-founder of Zoom Drain.
When you inspire greatness in others – whether male or female – you’re doing your part to ensure that the collective achievement of the organization never ends.
Female Leadership
Leading the day-to-day operations of Franchise FastLane isn’t my first rodeo. I have founded or co-founded four startups in my career. Franchise FastLane has twice been named to the prestigious Inc. 5000 list and has become a top franchise sales organization in the country. Since being founded in 2017, we have helped award franchises in nearly 7,000 communities, while changing more than 2,700 lives for the better. I am bullish on the value of having good leadership role models at the top of the organization. We’re blessed and fortunate to have tremendous leadership in our organization, both female and male. Their contributions have helped us grow, expand, and prosper in ways we couldn’t have imagined. When you inspire greatness in others – whether male or female – you’re doing your part to ensure that the collective achievement of the organization never ends.
Other Female FastLane Leaders Weigh In…
Kelle Brink Cain, brought on in 2023 as Franchise FastLane’s Senior VP of People and Culture, also has some thoughts on female empowerment. “People like to describe women as overly passionate and empathetic, but they don’t always mean it as a compliment. But I’m one of those who does. I think the passion, pride, and energy women put into their jobs is what helps them thrive, both as entrepreneurs and trailblazers.”
Liz Barnes, Franchise FastLane’s VP of finance, echoes these sentiments and goes a step further, stating, “It humbles me to know that before 1974 – a mere 50 years ago, women could not even have a credit card without a man on the account and now, at Franchise FastLane, we are consistently working with female brand founders to help women become business owners, and I get to lead the company’s finance department. I am grateful to the female trailblazers who went before us to get us this far. At the same time, I’m also grateful to be surrounded by a team that allows me to be a financial leader, but also knows that being a mom and wife is super important as well. It’s all in the balance!”
Lastly, Jessica McLean, one of Franchise FastLane’s VPs of franchise development, believes being a woman and leader in franchising is an honor for many reasons but sums up her thoughts by sharing a quote from former First Lady, Michelle Obama. “It’s not about being perfect. It’s not about where you get yourself in the end. There’s power in allowing yourself to be known and heard, in owning your unique story, in using your authentic voice.”
She goes on to state that franchising provides her the opportunity to work, live, love, inspire, and be her authentic self as both a mom and a wife. “Not a day goes by that I am not inspired by other females around me, past and present — business owners, franchise professionals, colleagues, mentors, and more. I deeply believe that only you can be you — and that is your superpower. It’s both refreshing and motivating to see this embodied and imprinted all throughout the franchising space.” Among these incredible leaders are individuals who continue to take the franchising industry by storm.
Carin Skowronky, senior director of franchise development, has been with Franchise FastLane for over five years and has made a huge impact in the lives of many. Carin has led the charge on epic runs with SPENGA, All Dry, and most recently Gameday Men’s Health. Franchise Fastlane is grateful for Kelle, Liz, Jessica, and Carin’s leadership as it continues to strive to be the best FSO in the country!
