In this episode of the Brand Clarity Podcast, host Susie Liberatore sits down with Julie Harrell, the inspiring founder and president of Cooper’s Scoopers, to talk about the surprising business of pet waste removal—and the franchise opportunity it holds.

Julie shares her transformative journey from working in healthcare management to launching a successful, fast-growing pet waste removal franchise. Along the way, she opens up about fertility challenges, her leap into entrepreneurship, and the mindset that helped her turn obstacles into stepping stones.

Key Takeaways:

• Career pivots can lead to passion: Julie’s shift from healthcare to pet waste franchising was fueled by curiosity and the willingness to explore new possibilities.

• Built from the ground up: Cooper’s Scoopers began with zero locations. Julie launched it from scratch and has grown the brand to over 8 territories—and counting.

• Pet waste is a serious issue: Beyond the ick factor, Julie educates listeners on the environmental and health risks of dog waste, especially its impact on water systems.

• Education is power: Cooper’s Scoopers incorporates public awareness and education as part of its brand mission, emphasizing responsible pet ownership.

• Challenges are growth catalysts: Julie talks about using fear and uncertainty as tools for transformation, both personally and professionally.

• Fitness mindset = business strength: Her dedication to fitness competitions sharpened her discipline, which directly translated into leadership and business resilience.

• Franchise support matters: Backed by Loyalty Brands, Cooper’s Scoopers benefits from expert guidance, shared systems, and marketing resources that help franchisees succeed.

• Community beats clicks: Both Julie and Susie agree—early-stage brand growth happens through local engagement and relationship-building, not just digital ads.
  

  Listen now to hear how Julie turned “gross” into growth, and why purpose-driven businesses—even the messy ones—can change lives.

  Don't forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with someone looking to start (or grow) a franchise!

  
  

  Resources & Links:

  • Learn more or find a franchise opportunity: cooperscoopers.com

    
    

  About Julie:

  Julie brings nearly a decade of experience in healthcare support and management. She later transitioned into the fitness franchise industry, where she excelled in training and development, driving growth and success among franchisees. Today, she serves as the President of Cooper’s Scoopers, where she leads with a strategic, people-first approach to franchise growth and brand development.

  Outside of work, Julie enjoys life with her husband, two daughters, and their beloved dog, Maggie. You’ll often find her at the beach, immersed in a good book, working out, or enjoying quality time with loved ones over a glass of bubbly.

  
  

  Susie Liberatore, a seasoned entrepreneur, discovered her passion for business ownership at a young age. Following years of academic pursuits and corporate experience, she founded her initial venture, Visions2images.com. What began as a solo endeavor has now evolved into a thriving enterprise led by Susie and supported by a team of 13 professionals. In a remarkably short period, she has elevated the brand’s success by providing comprehensive services like website development, social media management, SEO, content creation, and paid advertising.

  Fueling her entrepreneurial spirit, Susie went on to establish various companies, showcasing her versatility in business development. The latest addition to her portfolio is Franchise-clarity.com. Recognizing a gap in the franchise market, she innovatively developed marketing software to address specific needs within the industry. For inquiries on marketing services, potential partnerships, and investments, feel free to contact Susie Liberatore to discover how she can contribute to the growth of your business. https://susieliberatore.com/

  
  
  
  
  

In this episode of The Brand Clarity Podcast, host Susie Liberatore chats with Ari O’Brien, Chief Development Officer and co-founder of Red Rock Franchise Development. Ari shares her powerful journey from the corporate world to launching a franchise development firm with her husband, Jason O’Brien—built on values that challenge the traditional Franchise Sales Organization (FSO) model.

With a boutique-style approach that prioritizes quality over quantity, Ari breaks down what it truly takes to scale a franchise brand the right way. Whether you're an emerging franchisor looking to gain traction or a business owner exploring franchising as a growth path, this conversation is packed with actionable insights.

What You’ll Learn:

• Ari’s transition from corporate to co-founding Red Rock Franchise Development
  

• Why Red Rock’s personalized, boutique model is shaking up the franchise space
  

• The importance of strong consultant relationships and thoughtful franchisee selection
  

• Why referrals and reputation still outperform cold lead gen
  

• The role of digital marketing—and how to avoid wasting resources
  

• The critical importance of your first 5–10 franchisees
  

• How broker conventions and expos can fast-track credibility
  

• Why Red Rock believes in serving the franchise community—even if it means pointing you elsewhere
  

This is a must-listen for franchisors ready to grow with intention, clarity, and support that lasts.

• 
  About Ari

• Boasting a sterling sales and marketing track record, Ari O’Brien has been the dynamo fueling franchise growth for over a decade. Her career prior to franchising saw her excel as a top sales performer in the nation’s largest food distribution company, playing a vital role in aiding independent and national restaurant concepts expand their horizons.

  
  

  In 2013, Ari dipped her toes into the exhilarating pool of business ownership, co-founding Red Rock Franchise Ventures LLC, a franchise consulting brokerage firm based in Las Vegas, Nevada. Applying her innate knack for sales and deep-seated passion for helping others succeed, she swiftly established herself as a top producer in one of the world’s most respected franchise consulting networks.

  
  

  Since 2019, Ari has channeled her expertise and experience into nurturing numerous emerging franchisors and franchise consultants, creating a legacy as a relationship specialist with a “get it done now” mindset and a ceaseless sense of urgency.

  
  

  For Ari, her work in franchise development boils down to a single, simple passion: to empower current and future franchisors in building a team of thriving franchisees. She embodies Red Rock’s unwavering ethics of standing tall in a sea of franchise development brands and genuinely caring. She cares about your franchise as much as you do, and she’s committed to its success.

  
  

  Connect with Ari: RedRockFranDev.com

  
  

  Susie Liberatore, a seasoned entrepreneur, discovered her passion for business ownership at a young age. Following years of academic pursuits and corporate experience, she founded her initial venture, Visions2images.com. What began as a solo endeavor has now evolved into a thriving enterprise led by Susie and supported by a team of 13 professionals. In a remarkably short period, she has elevated the brand’s success by providing comprehensive services like website development, social media management, SEO, content creation, and paid advertising.

  
  

  Fueling her entrepreneurial spirit, Susie went on to establish various companies, showcasing her versatility in business development. The latest addition to her portfolio is Franchise-clarity.com. Recognizing a gap in the franchise market, she innovatively developed marketing software to address specific needs within the industry. For inquiries on marketing services, potential partnerships and investments, feel free to contact Susie Liberatore to discover how she can contribute to the growth of your business. https://susieliberatore.com/

  
  

Podcast Show Notes:

In this episode of the Brand Clarity Podcast, host Susie Liberatore sits down with Steve Shortino, founder and CEO of iSMASH — the rage room and axe-throwing franchise disrupting the entertainment industry. Steve shares the story behind iSMASH’s explosive growth, with over 60 franchise units sold in just over a year.

They discuss what sets iSMASH apart from other entertainment brands, how early proof of concept fueled rapid expansion, and the powerful role digital marketing and AI play in driving franchise sales. Whether you’re a budding franchisor, a franchisee exploring new opportunities, or a business owner looking to scale smartly, this conversation is packed with real-world strategies for modern brand-building and franchise success.

What You’ll Learn:

• How a viral moment sparked the idea for iSMASH
  

• Why strong branding and customer experience are critical differentiators
  

• The secret to gaining early franchise traction through proof of concept
  

• How iSMASH uses AI and digital funnels to scale franchise development
  

• Building internal systems (like supply chains) for faster, smarter growth
  

• Steve’s advice for franchisors: financial validation first, expansion second

  
  

About Steve Shortino

Steve Shortino is the founder and CEO of iSMASH, the fastest-growing smash room franchise in the United States—originating from his hometown of Rochester, New York. What began in 2018 as a bold and unconventional idea has evolved into a thriving national brand, with dozens of franchise units sold and many more on the way.

Originally launched under the name “Smash Therapy,” the concept was inspired by what Steve initially thought was a ridiculous idea: creating a space where people pay to break things. After conducting thorough research, he saw the potential and opened the first location in October 2018. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, Steve used the downtime to write and launch a successful course teaching others how to start their own rage rooms.

By 2021, business momentum was back—and growing fast. Steve opened a second location in Syracuse, NY, and soon caught the attention of a franchise development firm. Since then, iSMASH has exploded in popularity, with over 60 units sold across the country and no signs of slowing down.

Steve’s long-term vision is to make iSMASH the leading rage room brand in the location-based entertainment space, with a goal of scaling to 100 locations nationwide.

https://ismashusa.com/

Susie Liberatore, a seasoned entrepreneur, discovered her passion for business ownership at a young age. Following years of academic pursuits and corporate experience, she founded her initial venture, Visions2images.com. What began as a solo endeavor has now evolved into a thriving enterprise led by Susie and supported by a team of 13 professionals. In a remarkably short period, she has elevated the brand’s success by providing comprehensive services like website development, social media management, SEO, content creation, and paid advertising.

Fueling her entrepreneurial spirit, Susie went on to establish various companies, showcasing her versatility in business development. The latest addition to her portfolio is Franchise-clarity.com. Recognizing a gap in the franchise market, she innovatively developed marketing software to address specific needs within the industry. For inquiries on marketing services, potential partnerships and investments, feel free to contact Susie Liberatore to discover how she can contribute to the growth of your business. https://susieliberatore.com/