Today’s conversation on The Franchise Woman podcast was a dynamic one indeed.
Joining us today is:
Kim Gubera, CEO of PIRTEK USA, one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry.
Vanessa Yakobson, helped Blo Blow Dry Bar grow to roughly 130 franchise locations across 27 states as its CEO.
Robin Gagnon, co-founder of We Sell Restaurants franchise, and the chair of IFA’s Women’s Franchise Committee.
Listen in as the 5 of us (Rebecca Monet & Tracy Kawa included) have an in-depth conversation about leadership types, how it changes based on the situation and how it evolves through various stages of growth of a franchise system.
Meet Robin Gagnon
Robin Gagnon is the Co-Founder of We Sell Restaurants and wesellrestaurants.com, the nation’s largest restaurant brokerage firm and the only national franchise specializing in restaurant sales. One of the most prolific restaurant brokers in the industry and a franchise resale specialist, she holds the Certified Business Intermediary (CBI) designation from the International Business Brokers Association or IBBA and is an MBA. She has also achieved the Certified Franchise Executive (CFE) designation from the International Franchise Association.
She has been recognized by Nation’s Restaurant News as one of the most influential suppliers and vendors in the country for 2022. Her articles appear in QSR Magazine, Forbes and other industry publications. She is a regular media resource for all matters related to the restaurant industry. She was ranked one of the top 50 most influential people in franchising in 2022 while Entrepreneur Magazine Named her to the list of “Most Influential Women in Franchising.”
She is the Chair of the Women’s Franchise Committee of the International Franchise Association and an Executive Member of the Women’s Franchise Network – Atlanta Chapter.
A writer and speaker that has addressed many groups nationwide. Her expert articles appear in QSR Magazine, Forbes, Modern Restaurant News and more. She is the author of Appetite for Acquisition, an award-winning book on buying restaurants.
Robin oversees the development and training of Restaurant Brokers nationwide and has created the industry’s only Certified Restaurant Broker coursework and testing program.
Learn more about Robin Gagnon
Learn more about We Sell Restaurants
Meet Kim Gubera
It’s no secret that the last two years have been turbulent for businesses everywhere, and with inflation, supply chain issues and more uncertainty than ever, 2022 has been tricky. As businesses everywhere continue to face multiple roadblocks and an expected recession next year, let me connect you with Kim Gubera, CEO of PIRTEK USA, a national B2B onsite and retail hydraulic hose replacement franchise business and essential service proven to be resistant to pandemic closures, competition with Amazon and decreasing disposable income due to inflation to get her take on expected 2023 business performance and new industry trends/insights.
Kim Gubera is one of the very few female CEOs in the global hydraulics industry, but she has successfully led PIRTEK USA to the third fastest-growing franchise based on unit percentage. Gubera’s leadership is linked to her personal perseverance. She grew up in a low-income, single-parent household. It took her 9 years to finish her education while taking care of her child. Starting in finance, she didn’t expect to find herself in a franchising role – yet now she harnesses her strength and work ethic as the CEO of a hydraulic hose franchise.
Learn more about Kim Gubera
Learn more about PIRTEK USA
Meet Vanessa Yakobson
After battling and beating childhood cancer, Vanessa developed a newfound sense of drive and determination to chase her dreams. This eventually led to a career switch at 40 to her current role as CEO. Starting in 2002, she spent 11 years volunteering for the Pediatric Oncology Group of Ontario where she learned how to build infrastructure and partnerships. She always dreamt of running her own business and initially focused on a special project within Blo Blow Dry Bar, but quickly recognized the brand’s potential and the need to build the business and drive growth. In 2015, Vanessa joined the team as CEO and helped Blo Blow Dry Bar grow to roughly 130 franchise locations across 27 states.
Learn more about Vanessa Yakobson
Learn more about Blo Blow Dry Bar