I Fired My Boss - A Franchise Podcast

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps sits down with Oliver George, one of the earliest franchise owners in the Voda Cleaning and Restoration system. Oliver shares his journey from a 20-year career in corporate roles across the restaurant and car industries to taking the leap into franchise ownership. Driven by a passion for leadership and helping people grow, Oliver found his calling in the restoration and cleaning industry—not just as a business, but as a vehicle to build a team-centric culture where employees thrive. He discusses why he chose Voda over other franchise options, the importance of aligning with a company’s core values, and how early support and strong systems played a key role in his decision.Dan and Oliver dive into the realities of building a business from the ground up, the challenges of entering a competitive market with a new brand, and the lessons Oliver has learned along the way. From emphasizing exceptional customer service and fast response times to fostering open communication and empowerment within his team, Oliver’s leadership style shines through. He also talks about goals for 2026, including hitting $1 million in revenue and expanding into the commercial space. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring franchise owners and entrepreneurs who want to build something bigger than themselves—rooted in culture, resilience, and a people-first mindset.

In this lively in-person episode of I Fired My Boss, host Dan Claps sits down with Karen Wenning of Suttle-Straus at her office in Madison, Wisconsin. Karen shares her remarkable 18-year journey with the company, starting as a marketing director and eventually finding her niche in the world of franchising. The conversation touches on the importance of company culture, personal growth, and the power of relationships in business. Dan and Karen reflect on their shared experiences within the franchise community, including industry events, local connections, and even a recent carpet-cleaning job that turned into a much larger restoration project—an unexpected case study in lifetime customer value and the ripple effect of trust in service-based businesses.Together, they dive deep into marketing strategies, emphasizing how consistent touchpoints, authentic connections, and brand trust are more important than ever—especially in a world overwhelmed by digital noise. Karen offers insight into how Suttle-Straus supports franchise brands through customized marketing portals, direct mail, and environmental graphics, all rooted in over a century of service excellence. The episode wraps with a fun office tour showcasing how Suttle-Straus brought the Voda brand to life on Dan’s office walls—proof that powerful branding and meaningful partnerships go hand-in-hand.

In this special solo episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, Dan Claps shares his presentation from a live webinar titled Don’t Start Your Own Business Until You Know This. Drawing on 12 years of experience in franchising, entrepreneurship, and business brokerage, Dan lays out the foundational framework every aspiring business owner needs to understand before jumping into business ownership. Whether you're considering starting a business from scratch, buying an existing one, or joining a franchise, Dan walks through the costly mistakes to avoid—and the critical filters to apply when selecting the right business and industry for your goals and lifestyle.Dan breaks down five key factors that determine whether a business will set you free or trap you: how you'll acquire customers, find and manage employees, stand out in the market, make the numbers work, and whether the day-to-day aligns with your personal strengths. He also dives into real-world examples from his own entrepreneurial journey—from a failed college startup to scaling and selling a lead gen company to private equity, and launching his current franchise, Voda Cleaning & Restoration. This episode is packed with practical advice on industry selection, understanding business models, leveraging SBA loans, and why franchising might be the fastest path to freedom for many aspiring entrepreneurs. 

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, Dan Claps shares a surprising perspective: if he could go back in time, he wouldn’t start a business from scratch again. Reflecting on his early days building a company in college, Dan walks through the challenges of figuring everything out alone: what to work on, how to grow, and where to focus. He explains why, in hindsight, partnering with an established franchise would have saved him years of trial and error by eliminating the guesswork while still requiring the hard work. For anyone considering business ownership, Dan makes a compelling case for why buying into a franchise offers a smarter, faster, and more supported path to success.Dan also dives into the mindset shift of viewing a franchise as a business partner, one that brings systems, brand equity, marketing support, and a proven playbook to the table. He breaks down how franchising works beyond just fast food, highlighting the wide range of industries and opportunities available today. If you’re thinking about starting a business or wondering whether to build or buy, this honest, experience-driven episode is packed with clarity and direction that could save you years and thousands of dollars.

In this heartfelt solo episode, Dan Claps shares a powerful reflection on content creation, authenticity, and the lessons he wishes he could share with his younger self. Dan opens up about the evolution of his content strategy, from tightly focused franchise messaging to a broader, more personal and authentic approach. He unpacks why creating content that actually connects starts with being true to who you are, not who you think the market wants you to be. Using insights from personal experience and mentorship, Dan emphasizes the importance of attention-grabbing hooks, speaking to a niche before expanding, and creating content that would have helped you 10 years ago.Dan also walks through a list of invaluable life and business lessons he’d share with his 23-year-old self, from the compounding power of hard work and relationship equity, to protecting your health, letting go of ego, and the importance of playing long games with great people. It’s an episode about alignment, clarity, and learning to trust your path while staying relentlessly committed to growth. If you're building a business, creating content, or just trying to figure out your next move, this one’s worth your time.

In this solo episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps dives into a powerful yet often overlooked strategy for growing any local business: asking for referrals. Drawing from a recent training call with franchise owners, Dan breaks down the four core ways to grow a business: acquiring more customers, increasing average ticket value, cross-selling additional services, and reducing costs. While all four are essential, Dan zeroes in on the high-impact, zero-cost opportunity most business owners ignore: generating referrals from already satisfied customers.Dan shares a practical, confidence-building framework for how to ask for referrals effectively without feeling pushy, including the exact language to use and the psychology behind why it works. He emphasizes the importance of consistency and persistence, reminding listeners that one "no" shouldn't stop them from asking again. Whether you're in home services or any customer-facing business, this episode is packed with actionable insights that can help you generate more revenue without spending another dime on marketing.

In this solo episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps returns to the mic with a power-packed reflection on the fundamentals of building and scaling a successful franchise business. Drawing from his experience leading a fast-growing home services franchise system, Dan breaks down the core of business operations into a deceptively simple formula: generate leads, sell the job, deliver exceptional service, ask for reviews and referrals, and repeat. He emphasizes that while business may be simple in structure, it's far from easy—requiring relentless execution, consistency, and a deep commitment to doing the “boring” things well, day in and day out.Dan also parallels his personal fitness journey with entrepreneurship, highlighting the compounding power of repetition and delayed results. He dives into the psychology of success, the "whoosh" effect in both health and business, and how sticking to a daily playbook—especially in the early, gritty stages—can lead to massive breakthroughs. He ends the episode with a masterclass in home services sales, outlining a customer-centric, question-first approach that helps franchise owners and technicians build trust, uncover true customer needs, and close with confidence. Whether you’re a franchise owner, franchisor, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode is a high-value reminder that long-term success comes from mastering and repeating the basics—longer and better than anyone else.

In this bonus “fireside chat” episode, Voda Cleaning & Restoration founder and CEO Dan Claps pulls back the curtain on the realities of franchise ownership—and why “franchising takes out the guesswork, not the work.” Dan walks listeners through what you’re actually buying when you buy a franchise: the systems, the brand, and most importantly, the people and culture behind it. He shares how to evaluate a franchisor’s leadership team, what to look for in a discovery process, and the five core questions every serious buyer needs answered—how you’ll get customers, how you’ll get employees, what makes the brand stand out, what the numbers look like, and what the day-to-day life of an owner really is.Dan is joined by key members of the Voda team, including Chief Development Officer Steve Miller and CMO Christian Betancourt,, who break down how to read the FDD (especially Item 7 and Item 19), why validation calls with franchisees matter, and what “good support” should look like after you sign. The conversation goes deep on operations, onboarding, training, tech, and marketing infrastructure—down to dashboards, CRMs, call centers, and ROI tracking—plus Dan’s simple framework for growth (the only four ways to generate leads and the only four ways to grow a business). They also field live questions about what differentiates Voda, the dual cleaning + restoration model, and how the brand keeps franchise owners connected through cohort-style onboarding, Microsoft Teams community, weekly huddles, advisory councils, and conferences, ending with a candid reminder: not everyone is cut out for franchising, and that’s okay.

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps sits down with Mike Hagan, the very first franchise owner in the Voda Restoration system and the original believer in the brand. Mike shares his journey from a successful but unfulfilling career in financial sales to becoming a business owner and top performer in the Voda network. He dives into the due diligence process he went through before committing to the brand, what attracted him to Voda over other restoration franchises, and how the hands-on support from Dan and the HQ team gave him the confidence to take the leap. Mike also reflects on the early days of running his franchise while still holding a W-2 job and the importance of surrounding yourself with driven people who share a common mission.The conversation touches on everything from the growth of the Voda system—now over 100 franchisees strong—to Mike’s plans for scaling his business into reconstruction and hiring a business development manager. He talks candidly about the highs and challenges of ownership, including the freedom he never imagined and the admin work that caught him off guard. Mike also shares insights on what sets Voda apart in the restoration industry, the power of networking, and how having a husband-and-wife team (with his wife Trish managing the cleaning side) gives them a strategic advantage. Whether you're considering franchise ownership or already on the path, this episode is packed with practical takeaways and real-world perspective from someone who's walked the road and fired his boss for good.

In this special crossover episode, I Fired My Boss introduces a brand-new show from the Voda Cleaning & Restoration team: The Voda Download. Hosted by Jesalyn Johnson, this debut episode dives deep into one of Voda’s most cherished traditions — the annual Voda Toy Drive. Jesalyn sits down with Voda founders Dragon and Arlene, who share how their humble beginnings, personal experiences, and faith-driven leadership sparked a movement of generosity that now stretches across Voda’s growing network of franchises.Listeners will hear touching stories from the early days of the toy drive, including moments that shaped the founders' passion for giving, and how simple gifts — even a bottle of shampoo — have brought joy to children who’ve never received a Christmas present before. This episode is not only a beautiful reflection on the spirit of giving, but also an invitation to Voda owners, leaders, and entrepreneurs everywhere: your business can be a vehicle for impact. Don’t miss this heartfelt conversation that perfectly captures the culture of Voda and the deeper meaning behind building a purpose-driven brand.

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, recorded live at the inaugural Voda franchise conference, host Dan Claps sits down for a candid one-on-one with Thomas Wray, a top-performing Voda Cleaning & Restoration franchise owner based in Houston. Thomas shares his unconventional journey from investment banking and energy trading in New York City to full-time entrepreneurship in the home services space. He discusses how his partnership with his brother-in-law Holston—and their shared obsession with customer service—helped launch a high-growth business that's already making a major impact in their community. With no prior experience in restoration, Thomas explains how he leveraged his corporate background, followed the franchise system, and went all in to create real momentum.Throughout the conversation, Thomas unpacks the mindset shift required to leave a high-paying job and fully commit to building a service business from the ground up. He highlights the difference between passive ownership and leadership driven by purpose, and shares the importance of community, culture, and constant iteration. From serving hurricane victims to empowering his team with trust and incentives, Thomas gives a raw and inspiring look at what it really takes to scale a mission-driven business in restoration. Whether you’re a corporate escapee or considering your first franchise, this episode is packed with hard-won insights and real-world strategy.

In this special conference episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps sits down with three powerhouse women making waves in the home services industry: Nina Hunter and Erica Boutelle, both multi-unit franchise owners with Voda Cleaning & Restoration, and Shannon Hauser, Voda’s Franchise Coaching Manager. Recorded live in Madison, Wisconsin during the company’s annual franchisee conference, the conversation highlights how each woman found her way into business ownership—often after career shakeups or personal pivots—and why they chose franchising as a path to freedom and fulfillment. From launching in the wake of Hurricane Idalia to redefining leadership in the field, Nina and Erica open up about what it means to build trust, community, and confidence as women in a traditionally male-dominated space.The episode also explores the nuanced challenges female entrepreneurs face—from overcoming assumptions in the field to managing work-life integration and building strong team cultures from day one. Shannon adds perspective from the coaching side, while all three women share how they lead with empathy, purpose, and hands-on commitment. Their stories reflect not only resilience and resourcefulness but also a growing movement of women reshaping the future of franchising and restoration. Whether you're in the industry or just dreaming of your next chapter, this conversation is full of honest insights and powerful motivation.

In this special on-location episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps sits down with Voda Cleaning and Restoration franchise owners Sean Gilmore and Keith Nash live from Madison, Wisconsin during the inaugural Voda franchise owner conference. Sean, based in the Carolinas, and Keith, operating in Chattanooga, reflect on their unique journeys into franchising—both driven by a desire to escape the limitations of corporate life and build meaningful, impactful businesses. Keith shares a powerful story about a life-changing moment helping a veteran during an emergency cleanup, which affirmed his purpose in the restoration industry. Meanwhile, Sean opens up about the grind of the early days and his long-term vision of building an empire to leave a legacy for his nieces.Together, the three dive into the realities of entrepreneurship—navigating mental and financial lows, creating intentional company culture, and finding harmony between personal and professional life. Dan shares his own transformative moments, including the emotional weight of stewarding a growing franchise brand and staying mentally strong under pressure. This episode is a raw, real, and inspiring look into what it means to go all in—not just financially, but emotionally and mentally—on a business that serves both community and purpose.

In this solo episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps dives deep into the topic of company culture—a subject he believes is at the heart of building successful businesses. Fresh off his birthday weekend and just before heading to Wisconsin for the first-ever Voda 1 annual conference, Dan reflects on why culture is so central to his excitement for the event. He shares practical, real-world strategies that he implements at Franchise Playbook and Voda to create a thriving work environment, including promoting psychological safety, fostering healthy debate, and ensuring team members—especially junior ones—are empowered to speak up first in meetings.Dan breaks down the five core responsibilities of a CEO when it comes to building culture: casting a vision, securing buy-in, providing resources, celebrating wins, and holding people accountable. He also emphasizes the value of feedback—calling it a gift—and shares how being "caringly candid" helps cultivate trust and performance across teams. From solving everyday inefficiencies to helping teammates build toward their long-term personal and professional goals, this episode is a masterclass in intentional leadership and the power of putting people first.

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps dives into the transformative lessons he’s picked up from a handful of impactful business books. Dan shares insights from titles like Grinding It Out by Ray Kroc, The Outsiders, How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs, and That Will Never Work by Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph. The episode zeroes in on the Netflix story, particularly Randolph's revelation that true company culture isn’t about perks like hot tubs and ping-pong tables—but about giving brilliant, creative people the autonomy to solve meaningful problems. Dan connects this idea to his own leadership journey in franchising, emphasizing the importance of crafting a culture of trust, autonomy, and alignment around a common mission.Dan also reflects on broader lessons for entrepreneurs, including the importance of starting before you feel completely ready. Drawing parallels between Netflix’s foresight in pivoting from DVDs to streaming and his own path into water restoration franchising, Dan underscores how being in the business gives you clarity you can’t get from the outside. He encourages listeners not to overanalyze potential future challenges but to dive in, learn, and adapt. Whether you're considering launching a business or are already deep in the game, this episode offers a grounded yet inspiring perspective on leadership, culture-building, and the value of action over hesitation.

In this episode of the I Fired My Boss podcast, host Dan Claps dives into the transformative lessons he’s picked up from a handful of impactful business books. Dan shares insights from titles like Grinding It Out by Ray Kroc, The Outsiders, How to Make a Few Billion Dollars by Brad Jacobs, and That Will Never Work by Netflix co-founder Marc Randolph. The episode zeroes in on the Netflix story, particularly Randolph's revelation that true company culture isn’t about perks like hot tubs and ping-pong tables—but about giving brilliant, creative people the autonomy to solve meaningful problems. Dan connects this idea to his own leadership journey in franchising, emphasizing the importance of crafting a culture of trust, autonomy, and alignment around a common mission.Dan also reflects on broader lessons for entrepreneurs, including the importance of starting before you feel completely ready. Drawing parallels between Netflix’s foresight in pivoting from DVDs to streaming and his own path into water restoration franchising, Dan underscores how being in the business gives you clarity you can’t get from the outside. He encourages listeners not to overanalyze potential future challenges but to dive in, learn, and adapt. Whether you're considering launching a business or are already deep in the game, this episode offers a grounded yet inspiring perspective on leadership, culture-building, and the value of action over hesitation.

In this episode of I Fired My Boss, host Dan Claps dives deep into the concept of becoming the Mayor of the Town—a powerful strategy for building a thriving local business, especially in the home services industry. Dan shares how local business owners can establish trust, build strong relationships, and create lasting brand awareness in their communities by being highly visible, involved, and service-oriented. Drawing from his own experiences, he highlights the importance of networking through organizations like BNI (Business Networking International), leveraging community events, and relentlessly promoting your business through strategic branding and partnerships.Dan also emphasizes the long game of entrepreneurship, reminding listeners that true success doesn’t come overnight—it requires consistency, persistence, and an unwavering commitment to growth. He shares personal stories from his early days in business, the challenges he faced when launching Voda Cleaning & Restoration, and the lessons he learned about resilience and adaptability. Whether you're a new entrepreneur or a seasoned business owner, this episode is packed with actionable insights on how to build strong local connections, generate referrals, and ultimately, dominate your market by becoming a trusted leader in your community.

In this episode of I Fired My Boss, host Dan Claps dives deep into lead generation strategies specifically for home service businesses and franchise owners. He shares his evolving vision for the podcast—documenting his journey and providing actionable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses. Dan emphasizes the importance of engaged leads, explaining why quality trumps quantity and how irresistible lead magnets can attract high-intent customers. He also introduces the "Rule of 100," a powerful framework involving daily content creation, outreach, and advertising investments to maximize lead flow. Throughout the episode, Dan breaks down the core four lead generation strategies—warm outreach, cold outreach, paid advertising, and content creation—showing how a well-balanced approach can drive sustained business growth.Beyond lead generation, Dan offers a masterclass in sales psychology, demonstrating how to handle objections and close deals effectively. Using his experience in the mold remediation industry, he walks through a proven sales presentation framework that builds trust, establishes authority, and preemptively addresses customer hesitations. He emphasizes the power of strategic partnerships and referrals, explaining how nurturing deep relationships with referral sources—like plumbers for a water restoration business—can significantly impact long-term success. Whether you're a franchise owner, home service provider, or entrepreneur looking to improve your lead generation and sales conversion, this episode is packed with valuable, real-world strategies you can implement immediately. Don't forget to leave a five-star review and stay tuned for more insights from Dan on growing and scaling a business the right way!

In this episode of I Fired My Boss, host Dan Claps breaks down the essential numbers every home service business owner needs to know to measure marketing success. He dives into the critical metrics—Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC), Lifetime Value (LTV), and Closing Rate—and explains how these numbers dictate whether your business is growing profitably or spinning its wheels. Dan shares real-world insights from his own experiences, including past mistakes, lessons learned, and a powerful story about a business owner who didn't realize he was making an 80X return on his marketing spend. If you don’t know your numbers, you’re flying blind—and Dan is here to make sure you see the full picture.With his signature no-nonsense approach, Dan also debunks common misconceptions about marketing ROI, explaining why early-stage businesses often struggle with high acquisition costs and how long-term thinking can transform your bottom line. He challenges business owners to analyze their sales processes, improve their closing rates, and recognize when marketing isn't the problem—operations and customer experience are. Whether you're a franchise owner, an independent operator, or just considering jumping into the home service industry, this episode will give you the tools to approach your business with a data-driven mindset. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start scaling, this one's for you.

In this episode of I Fired My Boss, host Dan Claps takes a deep dive into the art of selling—specifically in the home services industry. Walking and recording on a Saturday morning, Dan shares raw and unfiltered insights into what it takes to build a successful business, drawing from his experience scaling Voda Cleaning and Restoration to over 200 territories across 30 states. He breaks down the psychology of selling, emphasizing the importance of building rapport, asking the right questions, and handling objections like a pro. Whether you’re in home services, fitness, or any other sales-driven business, his step-by-step framework for overcoming resistance and closing deals is invaluable.Dan also reflects on his journey as an entrepreneur and podcaster, offering a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a brand over time. He stresses the power of persistence, authenticity, and creating real value for customers. If you’ve ever struggled with closing deals or want to improve your sales game, this episode is packed with actionable strategies that you can apply immediately. Plus, Dan makes a call to action—if you enjoy the show, leave a five-star review and help him grow I Fired My Boss into a top-ranked business podcast!