Leadership, Global Franchises, and the Future of AI: A Conversation on Growth

Vern Nicholson

Hey everyone, um, welcome back to Franchise Fuel: Smarter Growth. I’m really glad you’re here today. My name is Vern Nicholson, and before we get into today’s topics, I thought it would be important to share a little more about who I am and the experiences that shaped my perspective on leadership, integrity, and growth. So, uh, let me see… many people know me as the author of a critically acclaimed book about professional football. The book really dives deep into the motivations behind rule changes in the NFL going all the way back to the mid-1970s. It also examines the controversial cheating scandals associated with the Patriots organization. When I wrote that book, I asked a question that at the time was, ah, a little uncomfortable for people in the football world. I wondered whether Bill Belichick or even Tom Brady should automatically be considered for the Hall of Fame given the cheating scandals that surrounded their success. And interestingly enough, over the last several weeks that conversation has resurfaced again because Bill Belichick and Robert Kraft were not selected as first-ballot Hall of Fame members. So in some ways, the questions I raised years ago have become part of the broader national conversation about integrity in sports. But football isn’t the only thing that shaped my life. I’m also a United States Navy veteran. I served in two wars and received a humanitarian medal for my service in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba during the Haitian relief efforts. Those experiences changed the way I look at leadership and responsibility. I remember one moment vividly. I was serving aboard the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt when we received a call from the White House. Uh, yeah, that was pretty surreal. President Bill Clinton was about to arrive on our ship to announce the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy to the military. Being there for a moment like that really made you realize how history unfolds in real time. During my military service, I also had the opportunity to travel throughout the Middle East and meet some incredible leaders. I even met presidents and the late Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose leadership and character left a lasting impression on me. My views on leadership have been shaped not only by those real-world experiences but also by my faith. In the Bible, Paul said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” As a Christian, that journey continues for me through my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. And you know what… for all the things I’ve done in my life, the greatest achievement by far has been being a father. I’m the father of four amazing children and now the grandfather of a grandson. I’ve tried to be present in their lives as much as possible. I’ve attended about ninety percent of their parent-teacher conferences, and I’ve watched my kids compete at the state level in basketball, track, volleyball, and even winter guard. Those moments matter. And I’ve been incredibly blessed to share this journey with the love of my life, my wife Candice. So yeah… that’s a little bit about who I am, and it’s the foundation for everything we talk about here on Franchise Fuel: Smarter Growth.

Vern Nicholson

Alright, so let’s transition a little bit because, uh, one of the most interesting professional experiences I’ve had started about five years ago, and it actually connects to a city that became globally recognized during the pandemic. Wuhan, China. Now when most people hear the name Wuhan, they immediately think about COVID-19. But my connection to the city actually began from a marketing and branding perspective. Around the beginning of the pandemic, I was working with a provisioning company headquartered in Wuhan. The company had opened an office in the United States and wanted to expand its brand awareness, particularly in the Chicago market. And let me tell you, that was not an easy assignment. You had this company trying to grow its presence in America at the exact moment the world was learning about a virus that originated in the same city where the company was headquartered. So, uh, yeah… the challenge became figuring out how to market the company effectively while also navigating the sensitivities around Wuhan’s global reputation. The company was trying to walk a very delicate line. They needed to grow their business and build trust with American partners while also not making the headquarters location the focal point of their messaging. So my task was to help them reimagine their brand. Instead of focusing on what people feared about Wuhan, we started highlighting what people didn’t know about the city. Because the reality is, Wuhan is an incredible place. Wuhan is a major Chinese metropolis and the capital of Hubei province with a population of roughly fourteen million people. It’s often called the “Chicago of China,” which I found fascinating because Chicago was exactly the market where we were trying to grow awareness. The comparison actually makes sense. Wuhan sits at the crossroads of China’s transportation networks. It’s one of the country’s biggest industrial centers and plays a massive role in steel production and automobile manufacturing. But what really surprised me was how advanced the technology ecosystem is there. Wuhan is becoming a major hub for what’s called embodied AI. That’s artificial intelligence connected to real-world physical data. The goal is to accelerate scientific discovery, manufacturing, and commerce by integrating AI directly into production systems. In other words, the city is helping lead China’s push toward Artificial General Intelligence. So when people only talk about Wuhan in terms of the pandemic, they’re missing the bigger picture. It’s actually one of the most technologically ambitious cities in the world right now. And for me, working on that project was a reminder of something really important in marketing and branding. Sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t promoting a product. Sometimes the challenge is reshaping perception.

Vern Nicholson

Alright, shifting gears a little bit here. Uh, if you live in Michigan like I do, you know exactly what time of year this is. The weather starts teasing you just enough to make you think about spring. And for me, that means one thing. Golf season. Now I’m not saying I’m a professional golfer or anything like that, but I do enjoy getting out on the course and enjoying the fresh air. After a long Michigan winter, just being outside again feels like a victory. So recently I went to the Michigan Golf Show in Novi, and wow… it was impressive. The event took place March 6th through the 8th at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace, and it’s actually one of the largest consumer golf events in the entire Midwest. There were more than 220 booths set up. I mean, everywhere you looked there were displays for new equipment, travel destinations, golf resorts, and courses all across Michigan. You had vendors showcasing everything from the latest drivers and putters to discounted golf packages at some of the best courses in the state. And the energy in the room was great because everyone there was basically thinking the same thing. Spring is coming. Tickets were about thirteen dollars for daily admission, which honestly is a pretty good deal considering how much there is to see. You could easily spend several hours just walking around and checking everything out. What I love about events like that is it reminds you that golf is really more than just a sport. It’s networking. It’s relaxation. It’s business conversations happening between swings. And for a lot of people in the franchise world and the business world, the golf course is actually where some of the most meaningful conversations happen. So yeah… I’m definitely looking forward to getting out there and playing a few rounds this season.

Vern Nicholson

Now let’s talk a little franchise news because that’s what Franchise Fuel: Smarter Growth is all about. I want to give a big congratulations to some friends of mine in the franchising community. Senior Care Authority was recently named to the Franchise Business Review’s Top Franchises for Women list for 2026. That’s a big deal. Senior Care Authority has built an incredible franchise system focused on helping families navigate senior living decisions. It’s a mission-driven brand that combines compassion with strong business fundamentals. And I want to specifically recognize two leaders there. Frank Samson, the founder, and Mark Molnar, the president. Both of them have done a tremendous job building a franchise model that not only performs well financially but also creates meaningful impact in communities. Recognition like this doesn’t happen by accident. It happens because the leadership team understands something very important about franchising. Culture matters. Support matters. And creating opportunities for women entrepreneurs in franchising is one of the fastest growing segments in the industry right now. So Frank and Mark, congratulations again. Well deserved.

Vern Nicholson

Alright, before we wrap up today’s episode, I want to talk about something that I truly believe will define the next few years. Artificial Intelligence in education. I really think 2026 is going to be a pivotal year in how AI gets used in classrooms. And I’m especially passionate about this topic because of my wife Candice. Candice is a master teacher and a science lead, and she continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible in education. She was named Michigan’s 2024 Teacher of the Year, and honestly I couldn’t be more proud of the work she’s doing. She’s helping educators understand that AI is not something to fear. AI isn’t here to replace teachers. It’s here to support them. Imagine a classroom where teachers can automate administrative tasks, analyze student learning patterns more quickly, and personalize instruction for every student. That’s the potential. Instead of spending hours grading or preparing repetitive materials, teachers can focus on what they do best. Teaching. Mentoring. Inspiring. And leaders like Candice are helping educators across Michigan understand how to responsibly integrate these tools into real learning environments. So when people talk about AI replacing humans, I think they’re looking at it the wrong way. The real opportunity is AI helping humans become even more effective at what they do. And in education, that could change everything. And with that, uh, we’re going to wrap up today’s episode of Franchise Fuel: Smarter Growth. If you enjoyed this conversation, please join the Franchise Fuel: Smarter Growth revolution. Like, share, comment, and subscribe to this podcast so we can keep bringing you conversations about leadership, franchising, innovation, and growth. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you in the next episode.