The Women in Franchising Podcast
The Women in Franchising Podcast is an official podcast of the Franchise Council of Australia’s Women in Franchising Committee, a national committee established to promote, support, and elevate women across the franchise sector.
Originally formed over two decades ago to address the underrepresentation of women in franchising, the Committee has played a vital role in raising awareness, increasing visibility, and celebrating the achievements of women in the industry. Today, as an official FCA committee, it continues to advocate for diversity, inclusion, and meaningful policy influence within the sector.
This podcast shares the stories, leadership journeys, challenges, and successes of women shaping franchising across Australia fostering connection, community, and opportunity for the next generation of leaders.
Listen on:
Episodes
Monday Mar 09, 2026
Monday Mar 09, 2026
In this special first episode of The Women in Franchising Podcast, host Kat Hargraves is joined by three key representatives from the Franchise Council of Australia (FCA) to officially launch this new national initiative.
Vanessa Wilmot (Chair of Women in Franchising and Victorian State Committee Representative), Emily Lucas (New South Wales State Committee Representative), and Marcel Lal (FCA Board Member and Queensland Representative) share why this series matters, how the Women in Franchising Committee came about, and what the future holds for this growing community.
0:00 Introduction
1:17 Why women in franchising matters personally
2:43 The purpose and origins of the women in franchising committee
5:25 Barriers women are still facing in the industry
6:19 Personal journeys into the committee and community impact
8:24 The importance of women in franchising for men and women
11:03 What’s ahead for women in franchising this year
13:22 Ways to get involved and support the initiative
14:33 Why active male support is critical to the movement
17:03 What excites the committee most about the year ahead
19:27 Where to find events and how to register
20:23 In-person events, webinars and the podcast series
21:21 Women who inspire and personal influences
24:47 Final reflections and message to listeners
Listen or Watch on;
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/5f7m7wps
Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/4dsnwdu5
Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/334sn69y
YouTube: https://youtu.be/myGmgJDUS4g