How do you turn a local business into a franchise across eight states—and build a partnership strong enough to grow with it?
Katie Gillberg founded Hydrate IV Bar in Denver after a career in medical sales and an unexpected introduction to IV therapy during her years as a Denver Broncos cheerleader. Amy Dickerson took a very different path, from selling art aboard cruise ships to building successful businesses in the beauty and wellness industry.
Their paths crossed through the Cherry Creek Chamber of Commerce, where a friendship eventually became a business partnership. But there was a complication: Katie had already experienced a difficult two-year buyout with her first business partner and had sworn she would never have another.
In this episode of the Leadership Capacity Show, Amy, Katie, and I talk about how trust changed that decision, what they've learned about working together, and how they grew Hydrate IV Bar into a franchise system spanning eight states.
We also get into their decision to franchise during the COVID shutdowns, the challenge of letting other people operate a business you've built, and why protecting company culture becomes even more important as a brand grows.
We discuss:
• How two very different entrepreneurial journeys became one partnership
• Why Katie swore she'd never have another business partner
• What makes their partnership work despite different personalities and life stages
• The importance of becoming keepers of the culture
• Why they decided to franchise during COVID
• What it takes to let others operate a business you've built
• How they evaluate potential franchise owners—including the dinner test
• Why one franchise location can affect the reputation of an entire brand
• Moving from post-it notes to documented operating procedures
• How franchising creates opportunities for employees to become business owners
Katie Gillberg is Founder and CEO of Hydrate IV Bar, and Amy Dickerson is Managing Partner. Together, they've helped grow the Denver-based wellness company into a multistate franchise brand.
The Leadership Capacity Show explores how experienced leaders think, make decisions, develop people, and grow into what leadership asks of them next.
00:00 — Preview
00:55 — Meet Amy Dickerson & Katie Gillberg
02:21 — Amy: From Art Auctioneer to Spa Owner
05:59 — Katie: From Broncos Cheerleader to IV Therapy Founder
09:17 — How Amy and Katie Met
15:39 — Becoming Keepers of the Culture
17:50 — The Beginning of Their Business Partnership
19:22 — Why Katie Swore Off Business Partners
22:03 — Different Life Stages, One Business
24:16 — Deciding to Franchise Hydrate IV Bar
28:50 — Opening Their First Franchise During COVID
31:26 — Letting Others Run What You Started
33:36 — How They Evaluate Franchise Owners
36:52 — IV Hydration and Colorado's Altitude
39:43 — Advice for Franchising Your Business
Hydrate IV Bar: https://hydrateivbar.com/
Explore Hydrate IV Bar Franchising: https://hydrateivbar.com/iv-therapy-franchise/
Amy Dickerson on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-dickerson-cfe-61126113/
Katie Gillberg on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katiewafergillberg
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