Welcome back to another exciting episode of The Advisory Board Podcast, where we bring you the best insights from business leaders and franchise experts. Today, we have a special guest, Sean Bock, a franchising powerhouse known for scaling Drybar and now leading Pure Glow, a cutting-edge airbrush tanning brand.

In this episode, Sean shares his 20-year franchising journey, from his start as a corporate attorney at Cold Stone Creamery to becoming a key player in the beauty franchise world. We dive deep into Pure Glow’s mission to provide a "better for you" airbrush tanning solution with organic ingredients, tapping into the intersection of health and beauty.

A key focus of our conversation is on funding and capitalization in franchising, a timely topic given the current challenges in financing franchise purchases. Sean shares his experience navigating the often tricky process of securing capital, discussing how franchisors can best capitalize their brand and offer strong fundraising options to franchisees.

Some key takeaways include:
The importance of raising capital upfront to ensure the right executive team and growth infrastructure are in place.
How emerging brands like Pure Glow can leverage strategic investment to attract franchisees, particularly in competitive beauty markets.
The increasing role of private equity in franchising and why smart franchise management is becoming a game-changer for emerging brands.

We also discuss how crucial it is to be selective with your first 10 franchisees, building a strong foundation for future growth. Sean’s mantra: “Go slow to go fast” is a valuable reminder for emerging franchisors to invest in their system’s long-term success.

A huge thank you to our sponsor, ClientTether, for making this episode possible. ClientTether is a powerful CRM and franchise sales software, helping businesses streamline their processes and close deals faster.

Tune in for more insights from Sean Bock on how to capitalize, scale, and succeed in today’s competitive franchising world!