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March 4, 2025

Jana Franklin: Stop Doing It All And Win With Outsourcing

Episode 47
“You don’t have to do it all.”
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Jana Franklin: Stop Doing It All And Win With Outsourcing

Episode 47

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"There's people out there that think they're good at everything and they're not. So I think for us, it's really that business entrepreneur that's wearing a lot of hats, that wants to wear some hats but doesn't want to wear them all."

Jana Franklin is a serial entrepreneur who has mastered the art of scaling businesses efficiently. From owning multiple Fantastic Sams and Jimmy John’s franchises to founding CEO Concierge, she helps business owners leverage virtual assistants to regain time and focus. Her journey of growth, setbacks, and strategic delegation has made her an expert in building businesses that thrive without burnout.

This episode is for entrepreneurs and professionals feeling overwhelmed by their workload. Listeners will learn why doing it all is hurting their success and how outsourcing can create more efficiency and balance. Jana shares practical tips on delegation, finding the right support, and shifting from managing everything to leading smarter.

Guest Contact Information

Jana Franklin Headshot

Jana Franklin

Founder & CEO
CEO Concierge

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Show Notes

 

🎙️ Introduction and Background (00:00 – 10:54)

  • Jana Franklin introduced as entrepreneur and CEO of CEO Concierge
  • Jana’s background includes owning Jimmy John’s franchises and hair salons
  • CEO Concierge provides virtual assistant services to business owners
  • Concept originated from Jana’s experience using VAs in her own businesses
  • Focus on matching personalities and skills for successful VA placements

👩‍💼 Female Entrepreneurs and Business Challenges (10:54 – 21:53)

  • Discussion on challenges faced by female entrepreneurs
  • Perfectionism and reluctance to delegate tasks
  • Importance of work-life balance for business owners
  • Jana’s experience with growing too fast in the Jimmy John’s business
  • Need for strategic growth and learning from mistakes

💼 Business Ownership and Franchise Experience (21:53 – 30:54)

  • Challenges of owning multiple businesses and franchises
  • Impact of COVID-19 on the hair salon industry
  • Decision to divest from hair salons and focus on core business
  • Realities of being a business owner vs. the ‘American Dream’ perception
  • Importance of being present and invested in the business

🤝 Advisors and Support Systems (30:55 – 41:38)

  • Importance of having a board of advisors for business owners
  • Key advisors include business bankers, CPAs, and lawyers
  • Value of mentors and networking groups like EO (Entrepreneurs’ Organization)
  • Building relationships with advisors for long-term support
  • Balancing personal and professional relationships in business

🔍 CEO Concierge Services and Process (41:38 – 52:20)

  • Target clients: entrepreneurs with $1-35 million revenue and 10-20 employees
  • Discovery process for new clients, including personality profiling
  • Importance of matching VA personalities with client needs
  • Three-week process from discovery call to VA placement
  • Flexibility in service offerings (part-time vs. full-time VAs)

🌐 Virtual Assistant Services and Management (52:21 – 01:02:15)

  • Range of services provided by VAs: email management, social media, travel booking
  • Specialized VAs for specific industries (e.g., HIPAA-certified, paralegals)
  • Stringent hiring process for VAs, including skills assessments and interviews
  • Team structure with team leaders overseeing groups of VAs
  • Emphasis on maintaining personal touch and client relationships

📊 Business Growth and Challenges (01:02:15 – 01:11:21)

  • Balancing growth with maintaining service quality and company culture
  • Challenges in marketing and client acquisition for CEO Concierge
  • Importance of referrals and networking for business growth
  • Discussion on work-life balance and managing multiple businesses
  • Adapting to different personality types in business relationships

🔄 Leadership and Communication (01:11:21 – 01:21:06)

  • Importance of transparent and over-communication in leadership
  • Creating an environment of trust and openness with employees
  • Handling conflicts and encouraging upward communication
  • Learning from experiences and adapting leadership style
  • Balancing personal and professional relationships in business

🚀 Conclusion and Key Takeaways (01:21:06 – 01:30:06)

  • Recap of Jana’s journey as an entrepreneur and business owner
  • Importance of building supportive communities and seeking help
  • Value of CEO Concierge in helping business owners focus on core strengths
  • Encouragement for entrepreneurs to delegate and seek support
  • Final thoughts on work-life balance and personal growth as a business owner

Content Notice

This podcast and all She Lift Project content represents the opinions of Cynthia Kirkpatrick and her guests. The content here is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional advice – financial, legal, medical, or otherwise.

Views and opinions expressed in the podcast and across all She Lift Project media channels are our own and do not represent that of our places of work. While we make every effort to ensure that the information we are sharing is accurate, we welcome any comments, suggestions, or correction of errors.

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