Acquisition Entrepreneurship, Culture Building, and Franchise Growth with Adam Geisler

In this episode of Enrich Your Empire, Richie Huffman sits down with Adam Geistler, co-founder of Youth Athletes United, to unpack the blueprint behind acquiring and scaling a purpose-driven franchise brand that now impacts over 400,000 children annually.

Adam didn’t follow the traditional startup path. Instead, he embraced acquisition entrepreneurship, leveraging decades of experience in corporate sports brands like Everlast and Authentic Brands Group to acquire existing businesses and turn them into a thriving franchise system. Through brands like Soccer Stars, Amazing Athletes, and TGA (Tennis, Golf, Pickleball), Adam and his partners built a values-first company focused on early childhood development, physical literacy, and community enrichment.

This episode is packed with real, tactical insights for:

• Franchise owners looking to scale with intention
• Entrepreneurs considering acquisition over starting from scratch 
• Leaders building culture-rich, mission-driven organizations 
• Educators and operators passionate about children’s development through sports 
•  

💬 Key Takeaways:

• How to transition from a corporate role into business ownership
• Why buying a business can be smarter (and more scalable) than starting one
• The mindset shifts required to build trust and loyalty with franchisees
• The importance of "changing nothing, improving everything" during acquisition
• How to blend business growth with genuine community impact

Whether you're a seasoned operator or just starting to explore franchising, Adam’s story will inspire you to lead with purpose, build meaningful partnerships, and scale in a way that makes a difference.

🔗 Stay connected with Richie on Instagram and LinkedIn for more insights on leadership, franchising, and legacy building. @richiehuffmancelebree