Faith Amid Franchise Struggles: Daniel Stein's Journey

In a recent episode of the Advisory Board Podcast, host Dave Hansen sat down with Daniel Stein, founder and CEO of Special Strong. This conversation delved into Daniel’s inspiring journey of overcoming personal challenges, starting a unique fitness franchise, and the crucial role of faith in his business decisions. This episode provides valuable insights for franchise industry owners and aspiring entrepreneurs alike.

Faith and Its Role in Business Decisions (12:12 – 14:42)

Daniel Stein’s journey is deeply rooted in his faith. Diagnosed with a learning disability at a young age, Daniel found solace and strength in fitness. However, his path was not without significant struggles, including a battle with addiction during his high school years. A turning point came when he encountered Jesus Christ at a 24 Hour Fitness gym, which radically changed his life. “I surrendered my life to Jesus,” Daniel shares. This profound experience led him to embrace a faith-driven approach to life and business. When he felt called to spend more time in prayer, he surrendered a lucrative client. This decision, while challenging, ultimately confirmed his faith-driven mission to start Special Strong, a fitness franchise dedicated to serving those with physical, mental, and cognitive challenges.

Core Values and Inclusivity in Special Strong (23:25 – 25:55)

Special Strong’s foundation is built on core values that reflect Daniel’s Christian faith. These values—stewardship, transparency, ownership, no judgment, and generosity—are integral to the company’s culture. “We hire and reward based on core values,” Daniel explains. Despite being rooted in biblical principles, Special Strong is inclusive and open to all beliefs. “We are not a Christian company, but our values are based on scripture,” Daniel emphasizes. This inclusive approach ensures that the benefits of operating “God’s way” are accessible to everyone, fostering a positive and supportive environment for both employees and clients.

Impact and Future of Special Strong (28:42 – 31:12)

The impact of Special Strong is profound. Daniel shares heartwarming testimonials of clients who have experienced life-changing improvements. One story involves a young man with Down Syndrome who found joy and participation in life again through Special Strong’s services. Another testimonial comes from a mother who thanked the company for “giving her daughter back.” Daniel’s mission is ambitious yet clear: to impact over one million athletes with disabilities. This goal is driven by a commitment to providing abundant life and independence for those they serve, anchored by their faith-based approach.

The Challenges and Pain Points of Franchising (34:03 – 36:33)

Starting and growing a franchise is not without its challenges. Daniel candidly discusses the difficulties of acquiring debt to fund the franchise and dealing with franchisees who did not align with the company’s core values. “We had to encourage misaligned franchisees to exit,” Daniel notes. Wearing multiple hats and performing tasks outside his strengths also took a toll. However, these challenges were met with perseverance and faith. “Leaning on my faith and community support helped me through tough times,” Daniel says. His wife and faith community played crucial roles in providing strength and encouragement.

Leaning on Faith and Community Support (39:17 – 41:47)

Faith and community support have been pillars in Daniel’s journey. During difficult times, Daniel relied heavily on his wife and faith community. “My wife would pray over me when I felt too weak to continue,” he shares. Starting each day with spiritual grounding through prayer and reading the Bible has been essential. Daniel emphasizes the importance of not doing it alone and seeking support from others. “I need Jesus every single day of my life,” he states, highlighting the transformative power of faith in both personal and professional realms.

Wrap Up Thoughts

Daniel Stein’s journey with Special Strong is a testament to the power of faith, perseverance, and community support. His story is not just about overcoming personal struggles but also about creating an impact brand that transforms lives. By infusing his business with core values rooted in his Christian faith, Daniel has built a franchise that is inclusive, supportive, and dedicated to providing abundant life for those with disabilities. For franchise industry owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, this episode of the Advisory Board podcast offers valuable lessons in faith-driven leadership, resilience, and the importance of staying true to one’s mission.

For more insights on how faith can play a crucial role in franchise business, listen to the full episode on Spreaker and YouTube. Additionally, for tools and strategies to enhance your franchise operations, explore the ClientTether Franchise CRM solutions.