# Scaling With Heart: How a Pet Industry CEO Built Purpose, Profit & 200+ Franchise Locations | Ep. 48

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/before-you-buy-or-sell-a-business-5819525/scaling-with-heart-how-a-pet-industry-ceo-built-purpose-profit-200-franchise-locations-ep-48
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/before-you-buy-or-sell-a-business-5819525/scaling-with-heart-how-a-pet-industry-ceo-built-purpose-profit-200-franchise-locations-ep-48.md
Podcast: [Before You Buy or Sell a Business](https://stenobird.com/podcast/before-you-buy-or-sell-a-business-5819525)
Published: 2025-07-08T11:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://jaredwjohnson.com
Audio file: https://episodes.captivate.fm/episode/7fe46bf6-e269-4ae4-92a7-9c4278155e46.mp3
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Duration seconds: 2394

## Resource

In this episode, Jared Johnson sits down with&nbsp; Michael Seitz , CEO &amp; Chairman of&nbsp; EarthWise Pet , for a wide-ranging conversation on entrepreneurship, franchising, M&amp;A strategy, and what it really takes to build and scale a brand in a mission-driven industry. Michael shares how growing up in a family business shaped his values, how almost becoming a dentist led him back to his entrepreneurial roots, and the hard-earned lessons behind buying 42 stores in a single day. Whether you’re a first-time buyer, seasoned operator, or just curious about franchising from the inside out—this one is packed with insight. Episode Highlights [00:07:30] &nbsp;— The power of asking better questions early in your career [00:13:00] &nbsp;— Why unit-level economics are the heartbeat of franchising [00:23:00] &nbsp;— Why buyers need to focus on&nbsp; trailing 12 months , not just historical EBITDA [00:29:00] &nbsp;— What EarthWise looks for in new franchisees (hint: it’s not just the money) [00:33:30] &nbsp;— Advice to 20-somethings considering their first acquisition [00:36:00] &nbsp;— The #1 mistake most sellers make—and how to avoid it [00:38:00] &nbsp;— What really keeps a founder going after decades in the game Connect with Michael Learn more about EarthWise Pet:&nbsp; earthwisepetfranchise.com Find Michael on LinkedIn:&nbsp; Michael Seitz, CEO More from Jared If you have questions for Jared, visit:&nbsp; https://jaredwjohnson.com DISCLAIMER: &nbsp;The views and opinions expressed in this program are my own and/or those of my guests. They do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of my employer.

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## Transcript

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