Founder of the world’s largest mobile franchise system, Tony Lamb is the CEO of Kona Ice, Travelin’ Tom’s Coffee, and Beverly Ann’s Cookies.

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Guest Resource

Own A Kona – Check out Tony’s website.

3 Value Bombs

1) Success happens when perseverance and hardwork intercepts with luck.

2) Get community and family deep and everything else takes care of itself.

3) When you look at obstacles, don’t waste any time. Look at it as an opportunity to get ahead and separate yourself from the others.

Show Notes

**Click the time stamp to jump directly to that point in the episode.

Today’s Audio MASTERCLASS: Rolling with Impact: Building the World’s Largest Food Truck Franchise

[1:20] – Tony shares something that he believes about becoming successful that most people disagree with.

Success happens when perseverance and hardwork intercepts with luck.

[2:33] – Tony talks about what sparked the idea for Kona Ice and how he turn it into the world’s largest food truck franchise.

The origin story happened 18 years ago. He was in the backyard with his family when they heard a dysfunctional music that came from a Chevy van. His kids went running for it and he was appalled how they wanted to engage with the person in the van. He had a conversation with his wife regarding it imagining what if it had beautiful and exciting treats with good value and that went for weeks. He started to look into the idea in a deep level until he finally decided to buy 5 trucks and started building it. After a year, it began to roll and the first 10 franchises sparked and they kept fueling it.

[6:40] – Tony talks about the unique brand identity he created that is centered around community, fun, and fundraising.

They go in the community and involve them. Their customer range from 3 – 21 years old.
They become a true partner with the groups they engage in.
The product is inexpensive that is why its easy to fund raise.
20% of the people in the community are those people who are responsible and they are those who get things done. Their company helps them raise the money for their cause and these people will stay with them the whole way.
Get community and family deep and everything else takes care of itself.

[9:45] – Tony tells the secret to Kona Ice’s successful franchise model.

The lesson he learned is to get involved with the right people. Not tp copy cats but to those who have the same tenacity, vigor and with a “never say die attitude” like him.
Talk to every single franchisee with an hour long conversation to know what’s driving them to their brand and what is the motivating factor.
He choose those with community connection, family drive and commitment than big money groups and developers to do business with.

[13:48] – A timeout to thank our sponsors.

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[16:20] – Tony talks about why he diversified into mobile coffee with Travelin’ Tom’sand gourmet cookies with Beverly Ann’s.

Other brands was always in the plan but they never had the catalyst to make it happen.
He understood the mobile business and become the best at what they are.
They focus on being mobile with the goal of being phenomenal at it.
They started to take on new brands when Covid came. Travelling Tom’s and Beverly Ann’s cookies are named after his parents and both are doing sufficiently well.

[19:02] – Tony shares how he navigated challenges like the COVID-19 while staying committed to his vision.

One of the challenges they had was under Obama’s administration, to have healthy food in schools. They had to pivot their product to meet the specifications and be a smart snack compliant. They ended up to be the only one allowed in schools because they were able to meet the guodelines.
Obstacles are your greatest separator. You just need to have the tenacity to get through it and the capacity of having the right employees. Oobstacles are really an advantage.
Another kicker to them was Covid. Their franchisees lost a lot of events because it got cancelled during that time. What he did to navigate through that was going back to the quote of Churchill “Never let the opportunity offered by a good crisis go to waste”. They circled the wagons, contacted lenders to lend money to their franchisees and hired an attorney and build a team around getting a stimulus from the government to help the franchisees.
In a week, they created a software for delivery where people can order online and they provided a treat to those who are on quarantine in their houses.
When you look at obstacles, don’t waste any time. Look at it as an opportunity to get ahead and separate yourself from the others.

[23:33] – Tony gives his top tip for building a strong company culture, embracing innovation, and making a positive impact.

There are so many good ideas out there but very few people get to the runway to take off.
You have to have the tenacity with some luck to get it off the ground.
When you’re business is already in the air, its always good to go back on what got you up there. That is the application and testimonials of the franchisees.
He see to it that he has a good communication with his franchisees. He keeps asking them why they get into Kona and the answer that they give is the one he tries to stay true to.
Be transparent and keep your values because this motivates the people to get involved.
He also shares his enthusiasm, inspirations, motivations and educate them always staying true that he believes in the company.

[25:58] – Call to action.

Own A Kona – Check out Tony’s website.

[29:17] – Thank you to our Sponsors!

ThriveTime Show: Attend the world’s highest rated business growth workshop taught personally by Clay Clark & NOW featuring Rich Dad Poor Dad Author Robert Kiyosaki and Eric Trump at ThrivetimeShow.com/eofire!

Airbnb: If you’ve got an extended trip coming up and need a little help hosting while you’re away, hire a co-host to do the work for you! Find a co-host at Airbnb.com/host!

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