This episode of The O.H.I.O. Fund Report features Anna Dey — a multi-unit, multi-brand franchise entrepreneur based in Northeast Ohio.

Anna has spent the past decade building a portfolio of franchise businesses across Ohio, operating across brands including Anytime Fitness, Clean Eatz, Smoothie King, The Vitamin Shoppe, Barrio Tacos + Tequila, and goGLOW. Along the way, she’s developed a unique perspective on franchising as a path to entrepreneurship and today works with aspiring entrepreneurs through The franSPOT, helping others navigate the process of becoming franchise owners.

Alongside her for-profit work, Anna is also the founder of 24 in 24 — an endurance running event that has raised over $3 million for children battling life-threatening illnesses across Ohio.

In our conversation, we discuss:

• Anna’s path from first-time franchisee to multi-brand operator
• How the franchise model actually works — and why it’s often misunderstood
• The tradeoffs of scaling across multiple brands vs. focusing on one
• What separates strong franchise operators from the rest
• Building teams, delegating, and evolving as an entrepreneur
• The story behind 24 in 24 — and how it became a community institution