Happy July!
What a month. I was just in Wisconsin watching two of my clients sign their franchise agreement. Watching that moment in person, and being a part of my clients' next chapter in life, is why I do this.
Summer in Seattle means longer days, a packed calendar, and somehow even more to do than the rest of the year.
Right now I'm juggling a lot.
I'm preparing for an in-person workshop with a home improvement franchisor at the end of August. I'll be in front of 30 of their owners for two days helping them run their businesses more intentionally and their sales teams more effectively. I'm also wrapping up Owner by Design, my program for franchise owners at any stage. I want it done before I walk into that room.
On top of that I'm halfway through a three-month AI course. Full homework load. All of it applicable. Still takes real time.
The podcast is humming. My VA Angelica handles most of the post-production, but guest scheduling and solo episodes still land on me.
And of course there are tennis matches, golf rounds, and a couple of family trips sprinkled in.
Last week I was feeling it. Not overwhelmed in a dramatic way. Just... a lot.
The Conversation That Cleared My Head
I had my regular check-in call with Angelica, my virtual assistant in the Philippines.
She asked how things were going. I was honest. I told her I was stretched thin and had more on my plate than felt comfortable. Just a real conversation. No agenda around it.
She listened. Then she asked a simple question.
"How can I help you take more off your plate?"
We talked through it. And somewhere in that conversation, we landed on something obvious that neither of us had set up yet. A dedicated email address for her. One that lets her communicate directly with partners, schedule things on my behalf, and handle a whole category of tasks I was still running through my own inbox.
Took about five minutes to set up.
That conversation happened because I communicated. I said I was struggling. She responded with intention. We problem-solved together. And my summer just got a lot more manageable.
π― HiPer8β’ Principle: Exceptional Communication
"I listen, respond, and communicate with intention."
Exceptional Communication isn't just about being clear or articulate. It's about creating the conditions where real information actually gets exchanged.
Most business owners communicate transactionally. Updates. Instructions. Status reports. That works fine when everything is fine.
But when you're stretched, stressed, or stuck, transactional communication keeps you stuck. You process everything in your own head. Your team operates with incomplete information. Problems don't get solved because no one knows there's a problem.
What changed everything for me wasn't a strategy. It was honesty. I told Angelica the truth about where I was. She responded to that truth with genuine curiosity and care. And because we actually talked, we found a solution hiding in plain sight.
Great teams run on communication like this. Not just task management. Real, honest conversation about what's working, what isn't, and what each person needs to do better work.
Try this: In your next one-on-one with someone on your team, spend five minutes asking them what's getting in their way. Not performance feedback. Not a status update. Just that question. See what they surface.
π Quick Updates
Franchisor workshop: I'll be leading a two-day session for a home improvement franchise brand later this summer, working directly with 30 of their owners on operational discipline and sales performance. First major speaking and training engagement of this kind. Excited.
Owner by Design: The program is built for franchise owners at any stage, from brand new to getting ready to sell. I'm building the next iteration now with a goal of having it ready before the August workshop. More details coming soon.
AI course: Three months in and it's been one of the most valuable things I've done for this business. Slow going at times, but every module connects directly to something I'm working on. More on this soon.
ποΈ This Month on The Podcast
Episode 35: Can Sports Fundraising Replace Your Corporate Salary? β Stuart Miller
Stuart was a state championship coach who kept hitting the same wall: passion for the work, no paycheck to match. Then his email dinged with a subject line that stopped him cold. Four years later he's running six territories with Fundraising University and generating over $2 million in revenue. One of the most fun conversations I've had on this show.
Watch on YouTube
Episode 36: He Refused $860K to Build This Franchise β Aaron Harper
Aaron was offered close to a million dollars a year to keep doing what he was already great at. He said no. He had a gut feeling and a one-truck power washing company. Eighteen months later, Rolling Suds became the largest power washing franchise in the world. The mindset conversation in this one is worth the listen alone.
Watch on YouTube
Episode 37: The Booming Franchise Nobody Talks About β Dave Tasto
Dave left a 20-year engineering career not because he had to, but because something personal pointed him somewhere else. Eight years into Assisting Hands Home Care, he's built a team of 110+ caregivers and still says he feels like he's in the honeymoon phase. This one will make you rethink what meaningful work looks like.
Watch on YouTube
π Free Download: The Franchise Fit Playbook
Not sure if franchise ownership fits your goals, skills, and capital? This free playbook walks you through the questions worth answering before you go any further. No cost, no pitch.
Ready to Talk?
If you've been sitting on the idea of business ownership since January, this is your mid-year check-in. I help successful professionals find the right franchise match and prepare for it properly. My coaching costs you nothing. I'm only paid by franchisors after you find the right fit and move forward.
Thanks for reading. Whatever is on your plate right now, the right conversation with the right person might be the thing that clears it.
-Alan
Alan Regala
High Performance Franchise Coach
Former Multi-Million Dollar Franchise Owner
Athlete to Owner
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