Stu Draper, a serial entrepreneur, knows just how exhilarating it is to launch a startup to the moon. He is a 9-time Inc. 5000 honoree before age 40 with tens of millions generated in revenue from his startups and an angel investor in 8 businesses. He's also the co-author of the bestselling textbook Digital Marketing Essentials. Stu knows just what it takes to transform an innovative idea into a thriving business. Inspired by the creators of groundbreaking ventures, Startups With Stu is an illuminating podcast that dives into the trials and triumphs of startup founders and investors who have committed their lives to reaching financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Podcast guests will be seeking advice on how to overcome the obstacles they're facing. Expect motivating stories as Stu spotlights the hard-fought victories that reveal the inner workings of entrepreneurship. By demystifying the startup process, Startups With Stu aims to equip aspiring founders with the grit and know-how to transform visionary concepts into startup success.
Startups With Stu is produced using PodUp podcasting software.
All content for Startups With Stu is the property of Stuart Draper and is served directly from their servers
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Stu Draper, a serial entrepreneur, knows just how exhilarating it is to launch a startup to the moon. He is a 9-time Inc. 5000 honoree before age 40 with tens of millions generated in revenue from his startups and an angel investor in 8 businesses. He's also the co-author of the bestselling textbook Digital Marketing Essentials. Stu knows just what it takes to transform an innovative idea into a thriving business. Inspired by the creators of groundbreaking ventures, Startups With Stu is an illuminating podcast that dives into the trials and triumphs of startup founders and investors who have committed their lives to reaching financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Podcast guests will be seeking advice on how to overcome the obstacles they're facing. Expect motivating stories as Stu spotlights the hard-fought victories that reveal the inner workings of entrepreneurship. By demystifying the startup process, Startups With Stu aims to equip aspiring founders with the grit and know-how to transform visionary concepts into startup success.
Startups With Stu is produced using PodUp podcasting software.
This Mother Turned a $40K Yellow Trailer Into a Multi-State Franchise Empire
Startups With Stu
4 months ago
This Mother Turned a $40K Yellow Trailer Into a Multi-State Franchise Empire
What started as a $500 college fund goal turned into a frozen custard empire spanning multiple states. Jessica Mortensen shares her unexpected journey from buying a college student's yellow trailer business for $40,000 to building Karie Anne's Frozen Desserts into a thriving franchise operation. In this episode of Startups with Stu, Jessica reveals the pivotal moments that transformed her "summer side gig" mindset into a serious growth strategy, including the leap from eight seasonal trailers to year-round brick-and-mortar locations. She breaks down the harsh realities of franchising - from the massive upfront costs to finding franchisees who won't let high schoolers run their operations unsupervised. Jessica opens up about the internal struggle between her competitive drive and family priorities, sharing why she's considering either bringing on a strategic partner or leveraging debt to reach her next growth phase. Her transparent approach to business challenges, combined with practical insights about managing seasonal cash flow and building systems that work across multiple locations, makes this essential listening for anyone considering franchising or building a family business. Jessica's story proves that sometimes the best business opportunities come disguised as small investments that "feel right."
Connect with Jessica Mortensen:
LinkedIn: @jessica-mortensen
Instagram: @karieannesdesserts
Website: karieannes.com
Startups With Stu
Stu Draper, a serial entrepreneur, knows just how exhilarating it is to launch a startup to the moon. He is a 9-time Inc. 5000 honoree before age 40 with tens of millions generated in revenue from his startups and an angel investor in 8 businesses. He's also the co-author of the bestselling textbook Digital Marketing Essentials. Stu knows just what it takes to transform an innovative idea into a thriving business. Inspired by the creators of groundbreaking ventures, Startups With Stu is an illuminating podcast that dives into the trials and triumphs of startup founders and investors who have committed their lives to reaching financial freedom through entrepreneurship. Podcast guests will be seeking advice on how to overcome the obstacles they're facing. Expect motivating stories as Stu spotlights the hard-fought victories that reveal the inner workings of entrepreneurship. By demystifying the startup process, Startups With Stu aims to equip aspiring founders with the grit and know-how to transform visionary concepts into startup success.
Startups With Stu is produced using PodUp podcasting software.
