What does it take to turn a humble beginning into a thriving empire? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood explores the intricacies of entrepreneurship and franchising with Dawn Lafreeda, a highly successful Denny’s franchisee. Dawn’s entrepreneurial journey from a young hostess to owning more Denny’s franchises than anyone else globally underscores the power of determination, resilience, and strategic thinking.

Dawn Lafreeda began her career at Denny’s at the age of 16 as a hostess and worked her way up to waitress before seizing her first business opportunity. Over the course of a 40-year career, she has owned, among other ventures, up to 120 Denny’s restaurants. In addition to her franchising achievements, Dawn participated as an executive producer in the movie “Show Her the Money,” which highlights the challenges and empowerment of women in venture capital.

This episode explores the benefits and challenges of franchising, where Dawn offers invaluable insights into site selection, financing, and scaling a business. Dawn also shares personal anecdotes about navigating business through crises like 9/11 and the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of proactive communication and financial prudence. Coupled with her advocacy for women in business and her efforts to mentor aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode is a must-listen for anyone seeking to understand the dynamics of successful entrepreneurship and the feasibility of franchising as a robust business model. Tune in to learn from one of the best in the industry and be inspired by her story of success and determination.

To get the latest from Dawn Lafreeda, you can follow her below!

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/dawn-lafreeda-36059314/

Sign up for Marcia’s newsletter to receive tips and the latest on Angel Investing!

Website: www.marciadawood.com

Learn more about the documentary Show Her the Money: www.showherthemoneymovie.com

And don’t forget to follow us wherever you are!

Apple Podcasts: https://pod.link/1586445642.apple

Spotify: https://pod.link/1586445642.spotify

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/angel-next-door-podcast/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theangelnextdoorpodcast/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marciadawood

Most Recent Episodes

December 19, 2024

Turning Conversations into Opportunities: Michelle Tillis Lederman on Effective Networking

Have you ever wondered why some entrepreneurs seem to effortlessly connect with high-profile clients and seemingly land opportunities out of thin air? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast,...

Listen · 24:25

December 5, 2024

100th Episode Special: Empowering Women in Venture Capital with Catherine Gray

Ever wondered what it really takes to break into the world of venture capital, especially as an underrepresented entrepreneur or an emerging fund manager? In our milestone 100th episode, host Marcia...

Listen · 30:54

November 28, 2024

Philanthropy Meets Startup Investing: A New Approach to Funding Innovations

Have you ever considered the possibilities that arise when philanthropic capital is directed towards funding startup companies? In this episode of The Angel Next Door Podcast, host Marcia Dawood...

Listen · 22:49

Load More Episodes

Marcia Dawood TEDx Speaker/Author/Podcaster

Marcia Dawood is an early-stage investor who serves on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Small Business Capital Formation Advisory Committee, is a venture partner with Mindshift Capital, a member of Golden Seeds, and the chair emeritus of the Angel Capital Association (ACA), a global professional society for angel investors.
She is also an associate producer on the award-winning documentary Show Her the Money.
A TEDx speaker and the host of The Angel Next Door podcast, Marcia walks the talk and holds investments in over fifty early-stage companies and funds. She is committed to expanding support for diverse companies that overcome the world’s biggest problems and accelerate positive change. She is passionate about bridging the gap from early-stage inception to building thriving, profitable companies.
She is a founding member and chair of the ACA’s Growing Women’s Capital Group, which is building syndication and collaboration among US investment groups focused on women-led companies.
She is also a co-author of the book You Can, You Will, which was an Amazon bestseller in thirty-nine categories in four countries.
Prior to that, Marcia worked in sales, marketing, and operations for Kaplan Education for over sixteen years. Marcia received an MBA from the University of North Carolina Kenan-Flagler Business School.
Marcia currently lives in North Carolina with her husband, Izzy, and she feels lucky to be the stepmom to three amazing sons.