The Always Direct Podcast

Lane Kawaoka helps the hard-working middle-class build real asset portfolios by providing free investing education, podcasts, and networking plus access to investment opportunities not offered to the general public. Lane is the Co-Owner of MFPE Investments, LLC - owning 1500+ single family, multi-family, and RV park units

BEST KNOWN FOR: Amazing Howard Stern, Heidi Klum, Howie Mandel, Mel B, and Nick Cannon on America’s Got Talent; entertaining U.S. troops stationed overseas; performing on Penn and Teller “Fool Us;” personally consulting with world-class achiever Criss Angel; performing at Vegas casinos on the strip; entertaining thousands of students at hundreds of colleges across the country; and consistently being recognized as one of the best in the business.

Bill Flynn has accomplished much, failed often, and learned many useful lessons from thirty eight years of studying the science of success

With an extensive career in the restaurant industry, we’re proud to feature Don Fitzgerald on the show!

FranchiseVision is the free franchise consulting service from David Busker. David helps candidates for franchise ownership understand franchising, set their criteria, then find the perfectly matched franchise brand.

Jeff Grad co-founded Evolution Fresh in 1994 with Naked Juice’s Founder Jimmy Rosenberg. For two years, Jeff rigorously developed, crafted, and created the brand prior to it’s public launch in 1996. With his prior accomplishments in building the Naked brand, Jeff expanded upon that foundation to successfully expand Evolution Fresh’s footprint, growing the company from concept to over $4.5M in sales with 20% to 30% increases eash year prior to it’s acquisition by Starbucks in November 2011

Ron Holt is the founder of Two Maids & A Mop - a residential house cleaning franchise brand with locations throughout the country. The company offers a revolutionary marketing process that utilizes various digital marketing strategies to attract potential customers to the brand. The only cleaning franchise brand that solely focuses on new age media such as search engine optimization, social media, pay per click and sponsored content.

Finding opportunities to support the growth of restaurant franchises, Maisoor Justaniah elevated a family owned company that is a descendant of hundreds of years of trading and manufacturing.

Tony Bombacino is Co-Founder and President of Real Food Blends, a company Tony and his wife Julie started due to struggles they had feeding their own son who has special needs. When their son had adverse reactions to commercial formulas he was being given through a feeding tube, the Bombacinos decided to make their own meals using vegetables, fruit, quinoa and oatmeal. The success of the company has made a remarkable impact on the lives of others across the country and the Bombacinos sold...

Brad Sterl is the man behind the Rustic Crust frozen pizza you see in your grocery store’s frozen food section. Rustic Crust is a New Hampshire bakery specializing in all natural, Old World crusts and flatbreads. Founded in 1996 as Ever Better Eating, Rustic Crust offers a variety of ready-made crusts and frozen topped flatbread pizzas. A remarkable entrepreneur and innovator - we’re excited to share our conversation with Brad Sterl

Steve Dolinsky is an American television, radio, print and podcast food and travel reporter. He has reported as “Hungry Hound” on ABC 7 (Chicago) since 2003. He also submits food reports for Public Radio International’s “The World” and is co-host with Rick Bayless and producer of The Feed Podcast. He is the author of a guide to Chicago pizza titled “Pizza City, USA” which was published by Northwestern University Press in 2018. Let’s just say in Chicago, Steve’s a legend. We’re so proud to...

Ross Franklin is the founder and CEO of Pure Green Franchise with a rich history of helping businesses reach their full potential. Known to many as “the turn-around guy” years ago while working with gyms, Ross has taken his passion for health and is building a remarkable cold press juice and smoothie empire with Pure Green!

Chris Dahlander has spent over fourteen years of building a “crazy idea” into a $16 million business. Snappy Salads is a growing franchise built upon a strong foundation of experience, resilience and a relentless pursuit of customer service.

Stephanie Emrich is a dynamic speaker, educator and consultant in customer experience, client relations, hospitality tied to results + ROI. On this episode Stephanie shares her insights into creating a remarkable experience to help you increase positive reviews, retention and growth.

David Yep is an entrepreneur, speaker, coach, mentor and Vice President / Co-Owner of Triune Health Group. David believes in people. It’s who he is. It fuels him. With a focus on “People Helping People” David has built a company culture which has drawn the attention of entrepreneurs and other business leaders who strive to duplicate his efforts. On this episode David shares his journey, his ideas around culture and growing a business you can be proud of.

Bob Spoerl is one of the founders of Bear Icebox where they help with everything from getting you that placement in the publication of your dreams to making your website something to be proud of. It’s not just about landing you stories in target media - it’s also about training you to effectively share your story with the public. PR is a two-way street between client and agency and Bear Icebox provide the infrastructure to build that road with you.

Sabatino grew up in the Bronxand started working at a Pizza Shop by the age of 16. He was trained uner the stern guidance of Pizza Chefs John and Cosimo Tiso. Yes, for almost 8 years Sabatino worked and managed the World Famous Louis and Ernie’s Pizzeria in the East Bronx. After that he moved to Charleston, South Carolina and turned a then bankrupt pizzeria into a cash cow. Now, with the help of a talented team at Sabatino Consulting, he aims to help existing pizzerias get better or to help...

Mark Moeller is the founder of The Recipe for Success, a blueprint for creating, operating, and sustaining your food service concept. Your vision is meticulously shaped by seasoned hospitality industry professional Mark Moeller who incorporates 30+ years of experience into the creation of your fine dining, full service, QSR, fast casual or kiosk business, setting you up for success!

Michelle Monroe Rowan is the President and COO of Franchise Business Review, a leading marketing research firm in the franchise industry. Since 2005, Franchise Business Review has supported more than 1,100 brands with their franchisee satisfaction and performance. Michelle is an active member of the International Franchise Association and a regular panelist at franchise industry events. Alongside her role at Franchise Business Review, Michelle is also the Co-owner of Woodland Farms Brewery,...

Lance Graulich is the Founder and CEO of ION Franchising, a full-service franchise consulting and development firm that represents more than 650 leading franchise brands and opportunities. He is also the CEO of Franchise Food Guys, a restaurant consulting and franchise development company based in Las Vegas, Nevada. With more than 25 years of experience with start-ups and franchising, Lance has served as the President of many franchise advisory councils and boards over the years.