From a homemade bagel recipe to a growing franchise, Jeff Perera shares how taking a risk, putting in the work, and building a strong brand can turn a side hustle into a business.

In this episode of Nexus at UCF, our host, Luke Kelly, sits down with Jeff Perera, founder of Jeff’s Bagel Run, to explore entrepreneurship, franchising, and how Jeff's Bagel Run grew from a home kitchen into a successful brand. From the financial risks of starting a business to the power of storytelling and social media, this conversation dives deep into innovation, leadership, and the evolving role of branding in business.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – teaser

00:14 Welcome to Nexus + Meet Jeff Perera

02:40 How Jeff’s Bagel Run started

07:51 What UCF taught Jeff + Advice on how to utilize college

12:54 When is a business ready to franchise?

16:06 Who you need to start a franchise

17:40 Utilizing social media for brand building

20:22 Past experiences become tools for the present

22:37 Expanding a franchise in Florida + becoming a franchisee

29:06 The future of Jeff’s Bagel Run + Bagel of the day’s impact

33:08 Jeff’s advice on starting a business

33:31 (Outro) – Thank you for listening!

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