Christina Le Lievre is a Franchise Recruitment Expert at Bedshed, playing a key role in connecting the right people to the brand across Australia. Her journey into franchising began while she was still at university, where her early exposure to the industry, combined with a background in sales and customer service, naturally led her into franchise recruitment through a personal connection at Bedshed.

In her role, Christina manages franchise enquiries, lead generation platforms, CRM systems, and the full candidate journey from first contact through to store opening. She works closely with the business development and regional management teams, helping guide future franchisees through financial planning, training, site selection, and store setup.

Christina also shares what truly makes a great franchise owner, the importance of personality and people skills, and why a tested franchise model like Bedshed provides a powerful pathway into business ownership.

0:00 Introduction

1:46 What a franchise recruitment expert actually does day to day

3:11 Recent store openings and adapting to different store sizes

3:55 A day in the life managing Bedshed franchise recruitment

6:19 Core systems Christina can’t live without, especially Zoho CRM

7:44 Walking candidates through the value of joining the Bedshed franchise system

10:14 Common challenges in franchise recruitment and candidate contact

11:29 Being upfront about investment ranges and site fit-out variables

12:41 How Christina and Greg share responsibilities through the pipeline

14:57 Pre-opening training across systems, warehousing, and product education with regional support

16:15 Growth plans and target regions for new Bedshed stores

17:46 Franchisee control over local area marketing with national team support

18:36 The advantages of starting a business with franchisor support behind you

19:26 Wrap up

Listen or Watch on;

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Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/53hrkjc2

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YouTube: https://youtu.be/IgS3QHn_76w

Melissa Fowler is a long-time franchise partner at Stellarossa Café in Queensland and a mother of four who balances family life with business ownership.

Starting her day at 4:30 a.m., Melissa oversees every aspect of her café’s operations, from opening the store and managing staff to handling rostering, orders, and community events. Over 14 years, she’s learned to master the art of multitasking, creating a workplace where staff develop diverse skills and enjoy meaningful customer interaction.

Melissa shares how flexibility, strong family support, and a hands-on approach help her manage the daily challenges of running a franchise. Beyond operations, she actively supports local charities and community events, such as fundraising for kids’ cancer and Project Pink for breast cancer awareness.

For Melissa, franchise ownership is both demanding and deeply fulfilling. Backed by systems like TANDA and Lightspeed and guided by Stellarossa’s supportive structure, she continues to grow her business while maintaining balance and purpose—proving that success in franchising comes from dedication, adaptability, and heart.

0:00 Introduction

0:43 A day in the life of a Stellarossa franchise partner

5:07 What café owners really do after the morning rush

7:08 Staffing the café and the different roles that keep daily operations running

9:38 Hiring staff and why showing initiative matters more than online applications

11:14 Starting a franchise journey without prior business experience and learning flexibility within a growing brand

13:29 Getting involved in community and charity events like fun runs and fundraisers to promote the brand while giving back.

15:47 Unexpected challenges of running a franchise business

18:44 Involving her sons in the family business — from early hands-on experience to school-based apprenticeships

20:00 Using tools like TANDA and Lightspeed to simplify rostering, wages, and reporting

21:33 Describing franchise ownership in a few words

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/2s42nb27

Apple Podcast: https://tinyurl.com/4ma6nkuv

Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/372h6v37

YouTube: https://youtu.be/3Fp4VGxu6-w

Craig has been a Seal-A-Fridge franchisee for nearly two decades, carving out a career that combines independence, flexibility, and customer care.

With a background as a butcher and small business owner, Craig was looking for a change from long retail hours when he discovered Seal-A-Fridge. The fit was immediate, offering the chance to work on the road, manage his own time, and build strong client relationships.

Today, Craig runs his franchise with support from his family, balancing hands-on service with a lifestyle that gives him both freedom and stability. From early mornings on the road to quirky customer encounters, he’s built a reputation on honesty, reliability, and attention to detail.

Passionate about his work and grateful for the balance it brings, Craig continues to shape his business around the values of service, trust, and long-term client relationships.

0:00 Introduction

0:22 Prior business experience before joining Seal-A-Fridge

2:47 A day in the life of Craig as a Seal-A-Fridge franchise owner

3:50 Craig on the reality of flexibility as his own boss

4:33 The biggest reward or best part of being a franchisee

6:47 The tools Craig relies on to keep business running smoothly

8:07 How Craig attracts customers through social media and van branding

10:10 Managing stress and the challenges of life on the road

11:20 Funniest and quirkiest customer experiences on the job

12:39 Craig’s personal rituals and routines that keep the day moving

16:45 How long fridge seals really last in different settings

17:15 The changing balance between commercial and residential clients

19:33 Future plans for the next 6–12 months and beyond

20:03 Wrap up

Listen or Watch on;

Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/rkktxevm Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/33cn25uk Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/42bn3bxf YouTube: https://youtu.be/Zy7Yxqo12qw