Franchising with Katie

09/02/2026

Discovery Day in Dallas. And one VERY excited Franchise Developer,(me). 🐸💙

My first visit to the Stellar Service Brands headquarters (Stellar Academy) was everything I hoped it would be….and more.

Two fantastic candidates came ready to dive deeper into bluefrogplumbinghq meet our incredible team, and explore what their own leap into entrepreneurship could look like.

I got to spend time with my team/new besties, Richard Fulghum, Beth McKeithen, and Zach Munroe….and meet the amazing people behind the scenes who keep this machine moving, including our fabulous CEO, Jessica Wescott!

And then there’s my favorite part of Discovery Day: breaking bread!

Scuba adventures. Favorite sports teams. Life stories. And, most importantly, why entrepreneurship and franchising are calling them.

We even had our Bluefrog Plumbing and Drain of Metro Fort Worth, Trish and Robert join us, along with another Texas couple exploring Restoration 1!

Different stories. Different motivations. One beautiful thing in common: the desire to build something of their own in a ridiculously stable industry.

I feel incredibly blessed that within my first few weeks of taking my own leap, I’ve had the opportunity to experience a full bluefrogplumbinghq training AND a deep dive into Discovery Day!

I’m learning the operations, marketing, technology, vendors, partnerships, and most importantly….the people behind the support!

I don’t just want to develop a franchise. I want to know it. Believe in it. And feel confident helping the right people take their leap.

And I absolutely do. 🐸💙

The business matters. The relationships matter more.

StellarServiceBrands

08/28/2026

Plumbing💙🐸
Pizza🍕
Brewery🍺
Popsicles🍨(who do I talk to about creating a popsicle emoji)

A funny thing happened in Dallas…

Zach Munroe, Beth Allen McKeithen, and I were talking franchising with a candidate in town for bluefrogplumbinghq Discovery Day over brews at Heritage Pizza & Taproom, a local, family-owned spot featuring beers from local breweries and a whole lot of community pride.

Then I spotted a cooler full of gorgeous and delicious Frios Gourmet Pops!

And I thought: THIS is franchising. This is entrepreneurship. This is small business ownership.

Big or small. Home services, food, mobile, brick-and-mortar, you don’t have to be an expert in an industry to become an owner.

You can build it yourself from scratch, OR invest in the proven systems, support and expertise of a franchise.

Either way, the goal is the same:

More control. More freedom. More financial opportunity. Creating a legacy.

Business ownership is far more attainable than most people think.

You don’t have to spend your life making someone else’s business richer.

You can take the leap and build your own. 🐸

And I loved seeing Frios Gourmet Pops because my dear friend Casey Hughes Floyd is doing exactly that! She and her husband are multi territory home service franchise owners, Franchise Coach and Founder at The Franchise Fit Company and the Frios Gourmet Pops Franchise Development team.

The possibilities are pretty incredible.

08/26/2026

Some of the best business conversations happen after the business conversation. 💙🐸

While Zach Munroe and I were in Columbus, Georgia for bluefrogplumbinghq franchisee training, we made a detour back toward Atlanta to take a few of our favorite IFPG consultants to dinner.

Nancy Delgadillo , Jermey Jeremy Bowen and Sylvester Ford , thank you for fighting insane Atlanta traffic to join us! 🙌😂🍑

Having been an IFPG consultant myself, these relationships hold a special place in my heart. I know how much the personal connection matters and now being on the franchisor side, I appreciate it even more.

We ate an absurd amount of food, laughed, and talked about everything from industry trends and best practices to struggles, families, vacations, and what we all did before franchising.

Because in a world of Teams calls, texts, and emails, there’s something pretty special about sitting around a table with people you respect and simply getting to know them.

The business matters. The relationships matter more. And if you know me, you know I’ll choose a real, genuine connection every time.💗

Grateful for these people, these conversations, and this crazy little industry that brought us all together. 💙🐸

08/25/2026

https://www.franchisechatter.com/2026/08/20/bluefrog-plumbing-drains-katie-lepper-on-why-you-dont-have-to-be-the-technician-to-own-a-franchise/

08/21/2026

This week I got to experience bluefrogplumbinghq franchisee training firsthand in Columbus, GA! I came home even more excited about the brand I get to represent! 💙🐸

One of our top performers, Chris, opened his Columbus operation to us, with some incredible Southern hospitality from him, his wife, and his team! Joe, our Marietta owner, who opened just last November and is already crushing records, came down to share his experience and welcome Brian, our newest Alpharetta owner, who brought his Master Plumber and Journeyman along for classroom and in-field training.

Everyone drove their bluefrog vehicles down, so naturally, the parking lot turned into a little bluefrog car show of wrapped vehicles. 🐸🚐

We trained, broke bread, shared real experiences, and learned from owners at different stages of the journey.

And I have to shout out Richard Fulghum, Beth McKeithen, Grey Valenta, and Zach Munroe . The expertise they brought to the week was instrumental! Not only in giving Brian and his team the education and tools they need, but in showing exactly what franchise support should look like. I’m pretty darn excited to be surrounded by a team of absolute rock stars.

As a Franchise Developer, I learned more about the ins and outs of this business than I ever thought I would…..and I LOVE that. I don’t just want to represent bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters, I want to truly understand the business so I can better educate and support candidates as they research what their next move could look like.

New owners. Seasoned owners. Plumbers. Families. Corporate team. One pretty incredible pond.

Grateful to be part of it and even more excited about what’s ahead. 🐸💙

08/19/2026

Absolutely thrilled to see my bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters announcement featured in PM Magazine! It’s an incredible honor to be recognized by the trusted voice of plumbing and mechanical contractors and engineers. What a fantastic moment for us!

Stellar Service Brands
bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters
Restoration 1 Headquarters

As demand for essential home services continues to grow, bluefrog Plumbing + Drain is focused on expanding its footprint in key markets across the country.

08/03/2026

Well… I guess you could say I’ve officially made the leap. 🐸💧

I’m beyond excited to share that I’ve joined Stellar Service Brands as the Director of Franchise Development for bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters!!

Just getting my feet wet, I can already say this team is something special. bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters is built around helping franchise owners create thriving businesses, financial freedom, flexibility, and lasting family legacies. The leadership, culture, franchisee support, and opportunity ahead have me incredibly excited for what’s to come.

To my amazing consultant friends….. let’s chat! I can’t wait to share why I believe bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters is such a strong opportunity for the right candidates. If you’re looking for exceptional support, happy franchisees, plenty of room to grow, and prime market still available, then let’s connect.

A huge thank you to my buddy Zach Munroe for giving me the opportunity to join this incredible team. I have a feeling we’re about to stir up some froggy shenanigans, make a few waves, and have a blast helping entrepreneurs change their lives. 🐸

And while my focus is bluefrog Plumbing + Drain® Headquarters, if you have candidates exploring restoration, I’m also happy to help with Restoration 1 Headquarters. My goal has always been simple: connect great people with great brands.

Here’s to new partnerships, new adventures, and helping more families build the future they’ve dreamed of.

Let’s make some waves! 💙🐸

07/30/2026

🐝 One last buzz from the Queen Bee...

What a sweet ride it’s been.

As I wrap up my time with Bumble Roofing and Empower Brands Franchising , my heart is overflowing with gratitude. To every franchisee, candidate, consultant, teammate, and leader I’ve had the privilege of working with, thank you. You made this chapter one I’ll cherish forever.

To the franchisees I had the honor of welcoming into the Hive...watching you build your businesses has been one of the greatest joys of my career. I’ll be cheering you on every step of the way.

And my Bumble family...wow, what a team. David Bitan’s vision continues to set this brand apart, our marketing team (Riley, Cam, and Lara) never stops evolving, Jacob’s passion and Bumble knowledge are second to none, and Andrew has helped create the structure and systems that are turning owners into true profit builders. The momentum behind this brand is incredible, and I truly believe we’re only seeing the beginning.

Passing the baton is bittersweet, but I know the Hive is in amazing hands. I can’t wait to watch this brand continue to grow and thrive.

Thank you, Bumble, for the friendships, the memories, and the opportunity to be part of something so special. Thank you to the entire Fran Dev team!!! You’ll always have a piece of my heart. 💛

As for this bee...I’m simply flying to a new pond🐸💙

A very exciting announcement is coming soon, and I can’t wait to share what’s next!

07/01/2026

Halfway through the year.

Six months that somehow felt both incredibly long and impossibly fast.

There has been heartbreak, including saying goodbye to a dear friend. There have been milestones that remind me just how quickly time moves.

My dad celebrated 80. My mom turned 78. My son turned 12. My daughter turned 26….. oh yeah, and I turned 48👏

I joined Toastmasters and finally decided to lean into a fear I’ve carried for years. A special thank you to a professional mentor (he knows who he is) for encouraging me to take that first step. Sometimes all it takes is someone who believes in you before you’re ready to believe in yourself. My son honing in on his musical talents and performing in front of strangers is incredibly inspiring as well!

I found peace hiking the North Georgia mountains, jammed out at Reggae Rise Up, and had the chance to sit front row watching some of the world’s best golfers compete at the Valspar Championship.

Lots of singing and dancing, like an absurd amount. Also, I’m not the best singer or dancer, but boy is it fun!

More importantly, I made a conscious effort to slow down, create healthier boundaries, and invest my time in building genuine relationships with people who bring meaning, kindness, and authenticity into my life.

Perhaps the biggest lesson has been learning that healthy boundaries aren’t about keeping people out, they’re about making room for the people who truly belong.

None of these moments seem extraordinary on their own. But together, they’ve quietly shaped the person I’m becoming.

As I head into the second half of the year, I’m carrying more gratitude, more courage, and an even deeper appreciation for the people, experiences, and small moments that make this life so meaningful.

Here’s to whatever the next six months have in store. Wishing everyone a second half of the year filled with growth, meaningful connections, and moments worth remembering.