franchise ownership Archives - Business RadioX ®

Genia Reid – Kilwins Gainesville

December 1, 2025 by Rose

North Georgia Business Radio

Genia Reid - Kilwins Gainesville

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“Making More Happy” – How Genia Reid Turned Kilwins Gainesville into a Local Treasure

Gainesville’s downtown square isn’t just a place to shop and stroll—it’s home to smiles, sweet scents, and a whole lot of happy, thanks to Genia Reid, owner of Kilwins Gainesville. In this episode of North Georgia Business Radio, host Phil Bonelli sits down with Genia to discuss her transition from education to entrepreneurship, the magic of the Kilwins brand, and what it means to build a legacy rooted in joy.

For over 75 years, Kilwins has been known for its super-premium ice cream and irresistible confections. Genia and her husband Jeff brought that tradition to Gainesville just a few years ago—but you’d never know it from the lines out the door and the scent of waffle cones wafting across the square. Phil shares how Kilwins has become a motivational reward in his own family, calling it “the best ice cream in Hall County.”

Genia explains how her background in education (28 years!) and Jeff’s corporate career at Ricoh America prepared them for business ownership. Their decision to franchise with Kilwins came after exploring other options, including Crumbl Cookies, but Kilwins stood out for its proactive support and commitment to community-centered values. Their family—including their son Jaden, now working in the shop—is deeply involved, making this a true family legacy in the making.

Beyond the storefront, Kilwins Gainesville partners with local businesses like Johnny’s Pizza and Storybook Market to host weekly field trips, giving over 100 kids a taste of sweet joy and entrepreneurship each week. Genia’s passion is palpable: “We don’t just make chocolate and ice cream—we make more happy.”

With a second store planned for Braselton and dreams of future expansions, the Reids are just getting started. Corporate gifting, community events, and velvety hot chocolate are just a few of the holiday offerings that make this local shop a destination for all ages.

Whether you’re grabbing a waffle cone, scouting corporate gifts, or looking for a new favorite field trip spot, Kilwins Gainesville is more than a sweet shop—it’s a hub of happiness.

Stop by Kilwins Gainesville on the downtown square to experience the joy yourself—or make someone’s day with a handcrafted gift. And if you’re planning a holiday surprise, don’t miss their seasonal treats and corporate gifting table!

This Segment Is Brought To You By Our Amazing Sponsors

Hopewell Farms GA

Roundtable Advisors

RichLife Advisors

Cadence Bank

Highlights of the Show:

00:30 – 01:59
Phil shares how Kilwins has become a family motivator, praising their “superior” ice cream and community value.

03:04 – 03:55
Genia talks about starting Kilwins during retirement and how Doug Ivester’s Renaissance project helped create their dream location.

05:00 – 06:01
Genia shares Kilwins’ motto, “Make More Happy,” and how it aligns with her joy of bringing smiles to kids’ faces.

07:16 – 09:05
Phil emphasizes pursuing dreams later in life, sharing how excellence in previous careers set Genia and Jeff up for success.

10:46 – 11:44
Genia reveals Kilwins’ sensory strategy—venting sweet smells to lure in passersby and enhancing in-store experiences.

12:04 – 13:23
Genia reflects on working with her son, Jaden, and the joy of sharing this chapter as a family business.

18:36 – 19:07
Genia highlights the unexpected challenges of opening a business, including income needs and complex permitting.

21:09 – 22:32
Corporate gifting ideas from Kilwins, featuring Nutcracker Sweet caramel corn, brittles, and affordable gift baskets.

24:46 – 25:30
The Reids plan a second Kilwins in Braselton, with Genia learning to balance excitement with patience.

31:46 – 33:12
Weekly field trips bring 100+ local kids to Kilwins, creating early connections and future customers.

38:50 – 40:22
A touching story about an employee Genia has mentored since middle school shows her true passion for impact.

The Path to Franchise Ownership, with Sue and Craig Derene, Franchise Connect Pro

June 11, 2024 by John Ray

Craig and Sue Derene, Franchise Connect Pro

North Fulton Business Radio

The Path to Franchise Ownership, with Sue and Craig Derene, Franchise Connect Pro

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The Path to Franchise Ownership, with Sue and Craig Derene, Franchise Connect Pro (North Fulton Business Radio, Episode 777)

On this episode of North Fulton Business Radio, host John Ray interviews Sue and Craig Derene of Franchise Connect Pro. Sue and Craig discuss how they assist individuals in selecting the right franchise model based on their backgrounds, skills, and financial capabilities. The Derenes emphasize the importance of responsible franchising, including the concepts of transparent business models and sustainable growth. They share success stories of clients who have successfully transitioned from corporate roles to franchise ownership, highlighting the importance of fit and commitment in achieving business success. Sue and Craig also provide insights into their process, from initial consultations to detailed discovery steps and funding assistance.

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta.

Sue and Craig Derene, Franchise Connect Pro

Craig and Sue Derene, Franchise Connect Pro

Sue and Craig Derene’s passion for helping people led them to a career guiding individuals toward their dreams of business ownership. Franchising can provide financial security, lifestyle freedom, and legacy building.

Franchise Connect Pro specializes in finding the perfect franchise or business opportunity. Their free consultation process has a proven track record of success, helping to identify and research franchise opportunities that present a true chance for success in specific target markets. With over 3,000 franchise concepts available in the United States alone, searching for the right franchise can be a daunting task.

Additionally, not all franchises are created equally, and even top-rated franchises are not always the best fit for everyone. Their process takes a close look at an individual’s goals, experience, strengths, weaknesses, desired lifestyle, and more to find opportunities that present a realistic chance for long-term success and happiness.

At Franchise Connect Pro, they provide free franchise consulting services to assist in making the best decision when buying a franchise or business opportunity. They represent over 900 of today’s leading franchise opportunities and are affiliated with a strong, dedicated franchising network of professionals and franchise partners.

Their focus is on helping clients navigate through the entire process and matching them with the ideal business.

Topics Discussed in this Episode

00:00 Welcome to North Fulton Business Radio
01:31 Meet Sue and Craig Derene
01:58 Franchise Connect Pro: What They Do
03:30 The Derene’s Journey to Franchise Consulting
04:38 Helping Clients at a Crossroads
10:54 Responsible Franchising
19:08 Matching Skill Sets with the Right Franchise
20:37 Ideal Clients for Franchise Connect Pro
22:54 The Process of Working with Franchise Connect Pro
26:10 The Importance of Transparency and Commitment
31:40 Success Stories and Client Experiences
34:38 How to Connect with Sue and Craig
35:38 Closing Remarks and Additional Information

Renasant Bank and Casa Nuova Italian Restaurant support North Fulton Business Radio

Renasant Bank has humble roots, starting in 1904 as a $100,000 bank in a Lee County, Mississippi, bakery. Since then, Renasant has become one of the Southeast’s strongest financial institutions, with over $13 billion in assets and more than 190 banking, lending, wealth management, and financial services offices in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Florida. All of Renasant’s success stems from each of their banker’s commitment to investing in their communities as a way of better understanding the people they serve. At Renasant Bank, they understand you because they work and live alongside you every day.

Casa Nuova is a proud family-owned and operated restaurant, serving classic, authentic and traditional Italian cuisine and top tier hospitality since 1998.

Casa Nuova is a cook-to-order kitchen, serving traditional fare including pasta, chicken, seafood, veal, vegetarian and gluten-free options, plus daily specials. They are a farm-to-table establishment, meaning that in the summertime, they cultivate their own vegetables in their garden, steps away from the restaurant, including tomatoes, corn, peppers, zucchini, sunflowers and more!

Celebrating more than 25 years, Casa Nuova has become a true staple in the Alpharetta area, serving more than three generations of families, including friends old and new, visiting near and far from all over the metro Atlanta area and beyond.

Website | LinkedIn | Facebook | Instagram

About North Fulton Business Radio and host John Ray

With over 770 shows and having featured over 1,200 guests, North Fulton Business Radio is the longest-running podcast in the North Fulton area, covering business in our community like no one else. We are the undisputed “Voice of Business” in North Fulton!

The show welcomes a wide variety of business, non-profit, and community leaders to get the word out about the important work they’re doing to serve their market, their community, and their profession. There’s no discrimination based on company size, and there’s never any “pay to play.” North Fulton Business Radio supports and celebrates business by sharing positive business stories that traditional media ignore. Some media leans left. Some media leans right. We lean business.

John Ray, Business RadioX - North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors — **John Ray, Business RadioX – North Fulton, and Owner, Ray Business Advisors**

John Ray is the host of North Fulton Business Radio. The show is recorded and produced from the North Fulton studio of Business RadioX® inside Renasant Bank in Alpharetta. You can find the full archive of shows by following this link. The show is available on all the major podcast apps, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google, Amazon, iHeart Radio, and many others.

The studio address is 275 South Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009.

John Ray also operates his own business advisory practice. John’s services include advising solopreneurs and small professional services firms on their value, their positioning and business development, and their pricing. His clients are professionals who are selling their expertise, such as consultants, coaches, attorneys, CPAs, accountants and bookkeepers, marketing professionals, and other professional services practitioners.

John is the national bestselling author of The Generosity Mindset: A Journey to Business Success by Raising Your Confidence, Value, and Prices.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS RADIO: Understanding the Difference Between Starting Your Own Independent Business Versus Owning a Franchise

October 29, 2015 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS RADIO: Understanding the Difference Between Starting Your Own Independent Business Versus Owning a Franchise

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Vlad Rusz, Kevin Williams, Chris Williams

“Starting Your Own Independent Business Versus Owning a Franchise”

This episode discusses the differences between starting an independent business versus owning a franchise. We will talk about the pros and cons of franchises, as well as defining the different types of franchises that exist. This show will go into detail about why people choose to purchase a franchise and what they should know, whether a franchise is a good fit, and which franchise they should consider. We will also delve into fee structures and success rates as well as how veterans may be able to enter into a franchise opportunity.

Kevin Williams & Chris Williams/Personal Business Advisors

Kevin Williams’ has extensive experience in management, sales, marketing, services and operations working across the globe for some of the world’s largest retailers, professional sports teams and other high profile institutions. In addition, Kevin spent over 40 years in the photo industry working for industry giants such as Eastman Kodak, Agfa, and Noritsu. Today Kevin owns a Master License to Personal Business Advisors, LLC, a 13-year-old company based in Texas that conducts business both domestically and internationally. Personal Business Advisors (PBA) works with executives that are ready to move from the corporate world into “entrepreneurial-ism”.

Chris Williams’ experience comes from the real estate investment and refurbishing space in addition to extensive sales and political consulting experience. He was educated at Lander University with a Degree in Political Science and Government and has since began his Seminary Studies.

About “Strategic Insights Radio”:

“Strategic Insights Radio” is intended to be an interactive radio show hosted by Sterling Rose Consulting Corp. Listeners can Tweet their questions for a live response on the radio to @sterling_rose1 or via @strategicradio. Also, suggestions on business topics that listeners would like to learn more about are welcome. Please send suggestions to info@sterlingroseconsultingcorp.com.

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS RADIO: The Pros and Cons of Owning a Franchise

October 1, 2015 by Mike

Gwinnett Studio

STRATEGIC INSIGHTS RADIO: The Pros and Cons of Owning a Franchise

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“The Pros and Cons of Owning a Franchise”

During this episode, Strategic Insights Radio delves into the pros and cons of owning a franchise with Dave Wilkins of Maid Right of Duluth.

Dave Wilkins/Maid Right of Duluth

Maid Right of Duluth is a different type of home cleaning service. One big difference is that the Maid Right of Duluth cleaners are not hourly workers – they are the business owners. Take comfort in knowing the same reliable and trustworthy cleaning crew will clean on each visit. At Maid Right of Duluth, they customize a house cleaning plan to fit their clients’ unique needs and busy lifestyle. Personal attention to detail, a thorough cleaning regimen and a commercially tested process translates into superior maid services for your home. Maid Right of Duluth’s advantages include their exclusive disinfecting EnviroShield® treatment on each visit, strong communication with your Maid Right of Duluth cleaner through their log book and survey program, and the strongest guarantee in the home cleaning industry. Maid Right of Duluth is proud to be a certified Trust Dale company.