Episode 185 · Oct 28, 2026 · 00:27:04
He Lost His Home Then Chose Franchise Ownership to Rebuild His Life | Matt Dorband
Show Notes
What happens when life takes away everything you thought was secure and gives you an opportunity to rebuild on your own terms?
In January 2025, Matt Dorband and his wife lost their home and nearly everything they owned in the devastating Palisades fire in California.
That loss forced them to reevaluate what really mattered.
Matt was working in financial services, in a job he hated, handling difficult client conversations every day and questioning the future of the company he worked for.
Being forced to change gave Matt the courage to choose change and rebuild his life on his own terms.
That's when Matt discovered franchise consultant Kim Daly through YouTube at KimDaly.tv.
Together, they explored franchise ownership opportunities that aligned with his priorities: geographic flexibility, a manageable investment during an uncertain financial time, and the ability to leverage his consultative B2B sales experience.
Matt didn't immediately recognize The ERA Group as his ideal franchise. But through the franchise discovery process, comparing multiple business models and meeting different franchisors, the right opportunity became clear.
Approximately 18 months after working with Kim, Matt shares that building his franchise hasn't been easy, but investing in his business has been the best decision of his life.
What You'll Hear:
- How the Palisades fire changed Matt's life and priorities
- Why he left a career in financial services to pursue freedom and control
- How he found Kim Daly through YouTube
- What he wanted in a franchise: flexibility, affordability, and transferable skills
- Why exploring multiple franchise opportunities helped him find the right fit
- How his B2B sales experience translated into business ownership
- Why The ERA Group became his choice
- The realities of building a franchise business
- Why Matt calls franchise ownership the best decision of his life
- His full-circle journey from watching KimDaly.tv to becoming a guest on the show!
Approximate Chapters
00:00 – Life Happens in the Middle of Living Life
02:30 – Losing Everything in the Palisades Fire
05:30 – Rethinking Career, Family, and Freedom
08:00 – Finding Kim Daly on YouTube
10:30 – What Matt Wanted in a Franchise Business
13:30 – Exploring Different Franchise Opportunities
17:00 – Why The ERA Group Became the Right Fit
20:00 – Transferring His B2B Sales Skills
23:00 – The Realities of Building His Franchise
26:00 – Why It Was the Best Decision of His Life
29:00 – From YouTube Viewer to Franchise Owner and Podcast Guest
Life isn't always about what happens to us. It's what we choose to do with what happens to us that matters.
If you're considering a career change, exploring franchise ownership, or wondering whether it's time to take control of your future, Matt's story is one you won't want to miss.
Explore franchise ownership and connect with Kim:
https://thezeesuite.com/start
About The Host
Hosted by Kim Daly
Kim Daly is a franchise consultant, mindset and manifestation coach, and the founder of The Zee Suite®. Since 2002 she has created nearly one thousand franchisees by aligning their goals and dreams to the best franchise opportunities, and has coached more than 5,000 franchisees on the inner work behind outer results.
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