#326: Helping Entrepreneurs Break Into Franchising with Josh Emison, USNA ‘14

2025-06-07

Joshua Emison is the founder of Tracer Franchising, where he helps individuals identify proven, scalable franchise opportunities tailored to their financial and lifestyle goals. With a background in business development and a sharp eye for operational models, he simplifies what’s often a crowded and confusing process in franchising. Josh works across industries to guide clients toward sustainable, long-term ownership—whether they’re exploring their first opportunity or expanding an existing portfolio. A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, Josh approaches business ownership with the same focus and structure that defined his military career. He’s also the co-founder of Sans Bank, a fintech company using blockchain to make alternative investments more accessible through asset tokeniza...

A graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy and former Marine Corps Infantry Officer, Josh approaches business ownership with the same focus and structure that defined his military career. He’s also the co-founder of Sans Bank, a fintech company using blockchain to make alternative investments more accessible through asset tokenization. Across both ventures, Josh is focused on helping others take ownership of their future through smart, strategic decisions.

In this episode of the SABM podcast, Scott chats with Joshua about:

Franchise Education: A clear process to help new owners understand the realities of franchising.
Matching System: A detailed quiz and vetting method to pair candidates with the right franchises.
Tippy Toes Model: A lean, mobile business chosen for its strong demand and trusted leadership.
Startup vs. Franchise: Franchising offers structure and support that startups often lack.
Owner Mindset: Success requires patience, realistic expectations, and long-term commitment.

Timestamps:

00:59 Josh's Background and Career Journey
02:29 Introduction to Tracer Franchising
03:06 The Franchising Process Explained
05:55 Selecting the Right Franchise
09:57 Funding Your Franchise
11:59 Negotiating Franchise Terms
14:51 Choosing Tippy Toes Dance Franchise
17:56 Comparing Franchisee Experience with Startups
18:36 The Challenges of Starting a Business from Scratch
19:25 The Benefits of Franchising
20:55 Sales Success Stories
24:24 Adapting the Business Model
26:35 Future Goals and Vision
30:33 Common Challenges in Franchising

Connect with Joshua:

LinkedIn
Email: joshua@raintreegrowth.com

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