Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave open up about the corporate chains they spent decades carrying and the turning points that pushed them toward entrepreneurship. From missed family moments to constant relocations to the realization that W-2 security is an illusion, they walk through the emotional and practical journey of breaking free. They also reveal how executives can leverage their corporate skills to build a business, reclaim their time, and earn the three freedoms that franchising provides: financial freedom, time freedom, and lifestyle freedom.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

• The Corporate Reality Check
Pete and Dave break down what it really means to give twenty years to corporate life: constant relocations, missed family milestones, burnout, and a career path controlled by someone else’s agenda.

• When Loyalty Becomes a Liability
They discuss how W-2 jobs create chains disguised as stability, and why even top-performing executives eventually face restructuring, pressure, and burnout.

• The Turning Point Moments
Both share the personal mirror moments that forced them to confront the truth: corporate life wasn’t sustainable and wasn’t theirs to control.

• How Executives Can Transition into Ownership
They explain how leadership skills, financial discipline, and operational experience translate directly into franchise success—even in industries you’ve never worked in.

• The Three Freedoms You Can Only Get as an Owner
Financial, time, and lifestyle freedom become possible only when you control your income and schedule. Pete and Dave explain how business ownership makes each one achievable.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is loud, but facts win when you learn the franchise process
• You don’t need industry experience—your corporate skills translate directly
• Ownership gives you financial security that W-2 jobs can’t
• Time freedom is about choice, not working less
• Lifestyle freedom lets you live on your terms—not a company’s terms

“Fear is false evidence appearing real. Replace fear with facts, and everything changes.” — David Greenberg

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with Pete Gilfillan and Dave Greenberg

In this episode, Pete and Dave react to “Where Have All the Managers Gone?” and unpack the reality many executives live today: you are accountable for outcomes without the authority or time to actually lead. They contrast that with franchise ownership, where you set priorities, control your calendar, and build saleable equity instead of surviving the next restructure.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

Leadership without authority
Being responsible for results while approvals, politics, and shifting priorities block real decisions.

Constant restructuring and layoff risk
Flattened orgs, AI efficiencies, and budget moves that put experienced leaders on the bubble.

24/7 workload and no time to coach
Meetings and inbox overload that crowd out the one thing leaders want to do most: develop people.

Career control through franchising
Owning the playbook, setting the pace, and building a team you actually have time to lead.

Work life balance by design
From Fun Fridays to summer Mondays, how ownership lets you plan family, health, and recovery time.

Destiny on your terms
No forced relocations, no surprise role changes, and growth that matches your ambition.

Key takeaways:

• If you feel like a leader without time to lead, the system is the problem.
• Restructures and age bias create real risk for seasoned executives.
• Franchising trades capped pay and politics for equity, control, and scalability.
• Your corporate skills transfer directly: team building, KPIs, execution of systems.
• Start parallel paths now so HR does not decide your future.

“Well, if you’re risk averse, why do you stay in that job that you have a high likelihood of getting laid off?” — Pete Gilfillan

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/

Escape and Empower Podcast with David Greenberg and Peter Gilfillan

In this episode of Escape and Empower, Pete and Dave get real about fear. They unpack the specific anxieties executives face when leaving corporate life, then show how to replace ambiguity with facts, build a calculated plan, and move forward with momentum. If you have been stuck between comfort and calling, this one gives you a practical path to act with confidence.

In this episode, Pete and Dave discuss:

Name the Fear to Tame the Fear
Write down exactly what scares you: losing money, uncertainty, or judgment. Awareness shrinks the monster.

Replace Anxiety with Facts
Education beats ambiguity. Use data, validation calls, and real numbers to make clear decisions.

Start Small and Take Calculated Risks
Match investment to your comfort range. Use capital-efficient models and structured rollouts.

Build a Support Network
Franchisors, franchisees, mentors, and coaches help you avoid mistakes and accelerate wins.

Redefine Failure as Feedback
Test, learn, adjust. Fail fast without betting the farm, then try the next best move today.

Protect Your Energy
Cold showers, workouts, meditation, and scheduled recovery keep you sharp for the long game.

Key Takeaways:

• Fear is normal. Action is optional. Choose action.
• Facts, not feelings, drive smart entrepreneurial decisions.
• Small, planned steps compound into confidence and results.
• You are not alone. The right network multiplies your progress.
• Self-care is strategy. Protect the operator to protect the business.

“Fear is a lot of times false evidence appearing real.” — Peter Gilfillan

CONNECT WITH PETER GILFILLAN

Meet with Pete: https://go.hireyourself.com/gilfillan?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://www.hireyourself.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/petegilfillan/

CONNECT WITH DAVID GREENBERG

Meet with Dave: https://calendly.com/empoweredfranchisee/virtual-coffee-with-dave-the-empowered-franchiee-web?utm_source=LinkedIn&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=IR
Website: https://empoweredfranchisee.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dave-greenberg-entrepreneur/