Mike And Alison After Hours: Kate Gerhart
This episode of the Mike And Alison After Hours podcast features Kate Gerhart, serial entrepreneur, who discusses her path to turning her hobby into a business.
In the first episode of the New Year, co-hosts Mike and Alison began by talking about what may be a deceptively simple question: what is HR?
As Mike noted, when it comes to the staples of a professional organization, such as sales, marketing, and HR, it’s easy to make assumptions. These are baked-in paradigms of the business world, so it’s important to reflect and make sure you actually know what you’re talking about.
“They’re buzzwords that make you cringe,” says Alison. “From my vantage point, HR’s role is to protect the business.”
There are so many functions that fall under HR, from hiring to compensation to mediation and so on. That’s why it’s a key consideration for any business that can’t afford to be overlooked.
Moving on, Mike and Alison welcomed their featured guest, Kate Gerhart, an experienced entrepreneur and friend of Alison.
“Kate is one of those people that I absolutely respect, adore and appreciate,” says Alison. “Not only her entrepreneurial skill, but as a woman — she is just resilient.”
Check out the full video for the complete discussion and an interview with featured guest, Kate Gerhart:
Get To Know Kate Gerhart
Kate Gerhart is a serial entrepreneur. In addition to Owning a Rita’s Italian Ice franchise, she also owns “Underwood Show Jumping” & Equibooks LLC.
As an equestrian with family roots in horse dealing, Kate grew up around horses and made a career in the industry. While it’s an important part of her life, it’s not her only endeavor. She started Equibooks, an online horse book and DVD store, as well as Underwood Holdings, which manages a number of properties, all in addition to her work running a franchise.
“[Entrepreneurship] is a family thing,” says Kate. “None of us has punched a time clock, and not that we don’t want to answer to anybody, but we don’t want anyone else in charge of our destiny.”
Mike and Alison took this opportunity to ask Kate about the reality of running a franchise. Often seen as an over-marketed, corporate-focused business proposition, franchisement has gotten a bad rap in the professional world.
“When we first opened we did get some pushback, because we were right up the street from a mom and pop,” says Kate. “I think my biggest beef with franchise is the public understanding of it. Franchise is one person that’s coming in in the morning and busting their hump — it is a family, and it’s not corporate.”
For the full discussion with Kate about her approach to entrepreneurship, make sure to check out the full episode of the Mike And Alison After Hours podcast. To contact Lauren, email ritasofquakertown@gmail.com.
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