What Kathleen and Petite Pup can do without buying ads.
“Free” means no media spend. It still requires founder time and consistent execution. These activities should feed the same CRM and sales process as paid leads.
1. Founder video every week
Record 30–60 minutes answering 3–5 questions: founder story, Bella, why under 15 lbs, why no overnight, what Scottsdale taught her, who makes a strong franchisee and why Arizona first. LocalClicks Pro can repurpose the footage across channels.
2. Existing customer prospecting
Review customers for business owners, doctors, attorneys, executives, real-estate investors, franchise owners, entrepreneurs and retired executives. Kathleen personally reaches out to only the strongest fits or asks for introductions.
3. Kathleen LinkedIn — 15 minutes/day
Targeted connections, useful comments, founder lessons, Arizona business engagement and personal follow-up with serious operators.
4. Warm introductions
Ask CPA, attorney, banker, commercial real-estate contacts, vendors, landlords, business-owner customers and pet-industry contacts who they know that may fit.
5. Arizona business groups
Participate in Scottsdale/Phoenix business, entrepreneur, franchise-owner and pet-business communities. Contribute first; do not spam the opportunity.
6. Podcast / local media outreach
Pitch the founder story to Arizona business podcasts, pet-business shows, entrepreneur media, local TV/radio and franchise-development podcasts.
7. Turn milestones into PR
First franchise awarded, first territory sold, site selected, buildout begins, grand opening, second franchisee and first multi-unit agreement all become proof for the next buyer.
8. Founder-to-founder outreach
Kathleen personally approaches proven owners and operators in Arizona. Ask for advice and introductions before pushing a sale.
9. Weekly founder series
“What I wish I knew before franchising,” “Why I built Petite Pup,” “Why small dogs need their own daycare,” and “Why we chose daytime-only.”
10. Referral habit
Every serious prospect, business-owner customer and future franchisee gets asked one simple question: “Who else do you know that might be a fit?” Track every referral.