The Escape & Empower Podcast
The Escape & Empower Podcast
Podcast Description
Welcome to Escape and Empower – the ultimate podcast for business leaders and aspiring entrepreneurs. Ready to ditch the corporate rat race and step into empowered franchise ownership? Take control of your future, follow your dreams, and live life on your terms. Join hosts Dave and Pete as they provide actionable strategies, inspiring stories, and expert tips to help you ditch the 9-to-5 grind and achieve entrepreneurial success through franchise ownership.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast centers on themes of franchise ownership, transitioning from corporate life, and the entrepreneurial journey. Key topics include comparing brick-and-mortar versus service-based franchises, navigating economic downturns, and recognizing ageism in the workplace, with episode examples like exploring the benefits of recurring revenue models and financial planning strategies for franchise owners.
The Escape and Empower Podcast
Ready to escape the corporate grind and empower your future?
Join franchise experts Pete Gilfillan and Dave Greenberg on The Escape and Empower Podcast, your definitive guide to successfully transitioning from corporate employee to thriving franchise owner. Each episode provides honest, actionable insights tailored specifically for busy executives eager to achieve financial stability, build lasting wealth, and gain control over their destiny.
Whether you’re exploring franchise ownership for the first time or ready to take the next step toward entrepreneurship, Pete and Dave offer straightforward, no-fluff discussions covering essential topics such as:
- Navigating the franchise buying process step-by-step
- Overcoming common fears and barriers
- Strategies for building wealth through franchising
- Insider advice on choosing the right franchise for your lifestyle
- Real stories and practical wisdom from successful franchisees
- Detailed explanations of franchise disclosure documents (FDD)
- Guidance on financing options and understanding investment costs
- Steps to confidently evaluate franchise opportunities
Empower your entrepreneurial journey today—subscribe and begin building your path to financial freedom and personal fulfillment.
Hosted by franchise industry leaders Pete Gilfillan (HireYourself.com) and Dave Greenberg (EmpoweredFranchisee.com).
In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave walk through the real-world roadmap for first-time franchise owners—especially those leaving behind long, successful corporate careers. They share lessons from their own transitions, showing how leadership, budgeting, team-building, and decision-making translate directly into business ownership success.
Whether you're ex-military, ex-corporate, or just done with being a number, this episode delivers clarity and confidence. It's not about starting from scratch—it’s about starting from strength. If you’ve led people, managed complexity, and built careers for others, this episode proves: you already have what it takes.
In this episode, Dave and Pete discuss:
- Your Corporate Experience Is Your Competitive Edge
From managing teams to handling P&Ls—those boardroom skills transfer directly to business ownership. - Mentorship Makes the Difference
Franchising isn’t a solo journey. Tap into systems, fellow franchisees, and personal mentors to stay on track and move faster. - Start Small, Build Strong
Success isn’t about launching big—it’s about building a stable base, growing intentionally, and scaling smart. - Involve Your Family From Day One
Support at home fuels success in business. Pete shares how he gave his kids titles—and taught them the entrepreneurial mindset early. - Fit is Everything
Not every franchise is right for you. Pete and Dave explain how they help executives find a business model that matches lifestyle, skills, and goals.
Key Takeaways:
- Corporate leadership skills are highly transferable to franchise ownership
- Franchising offers built-in mentorship and support
- Starting small doesn’t mean thinking small—it’s a smart path to scale
- Family support transforms the journey into a team mission
- Finding the right franchise fit is essential to long-term success
“You have a wonderful opportunity to take all that experience from the corporate world and finally build something for you. Don't sell yourself short—you’ve already got the skills. Now’s the time to use them.” — Pete Gilfillan
CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN
Meet with Pete: https://www.hireyourself.com/gilfillan/
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/
CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG
Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/
Disclaimer
This podcast’s information is provided for general reference and was obtained from publicly accessible sources. The Podcast Collaborative neither produces nor verifies the content, accuracy, or suitability of this podcast. Views and opinions belong solely to the podcast creators and guests.
For a complete disclaimer, please see our Full Disclaimer on the archive page. The Podcast Collaborative bears no responsibility for the podcast’s themes, language, or overall content. Listener discretion is advised. Read our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for more details.