Jonathan Almanzar, new CEO of Iron Forums, discusses his entrepreneurial journey with Chicken Cone and business leadership insights.

Key Takeaways

– Jonathan co-founded Chicken Cone, an innovative chicken and waffle cone concept that grew rapidly through franchising

– Key success factors: embracing ambiguity, hard work, leveraging mentorship, and being selective about opportunities

– Jonathan is transitioning to CEO of Iron Forums, a Christian business owner mastermind group, starting December 2nd

– Advice for entrepreneurs: daily actions matter, partnerships are valuable, and community support is crucial

Topics

Chicken Cone Origin Story

– Idea conceived during a hike in 2012 – popcorn chicken in a waffle cone

– Co-founded with Josh Liner, starting with fairs and festivals

– Got lucky break appearing on Food Network show at first fair

– Expanded to New York City holiday market, leading to viral social media growth

Franchising Journey

– Rapid growth after NYC success – 25,000 Instagram followers in 2 weeks

– Attended franchise expo by chance, leading to franchise development

– Sold 53 units in one year through partnership with development company

– Expanded internationally to Dubai and Qatar

Business Challenges and Lessons

– Struggled with scaling internal team to support rapid growth

– Learned importance of proper documentation and financial preparation

– Shifted focus from dense foot traffic areas to drive-through models

– Realized not every opportunity is good – became more selective over time

Keys to Franchisee Success

– Comfort with ambiguity is crucial for small business owners

– Hard work is essential – “opportunity shows up in overalls”

– Balancing business growth with family life requires sacrifices in other areas

Mentorship and Personal Growth

– Initially resistant to advice, but became more open after facing challenges

– Learned to be curious and listen to experienced mentors

– Book recommendations: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight, The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Iron Forums Role and Vision

– Jonathan starts as CEO on December 2nd

– Attracted by opportunity to build community and support for business owners

– Aims to meet every Iron Forums member in next 12 months