2024’s Top Women in Franchising: Lisa Almeida

The Franchise Leader: Lisa Almeida

The Company: Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville and St. Augustine

1851 Franchise talked with Lisa Almeida, owner of the Freedom Boat Club Jacksonville and St. Augustine, about her journey in franchising, her accomplishments in the industry, and the strategies she suggests for franchisors looking to empower and support female franchisees this year.

“When they interviewed me for the job, they interviewed 12 people: 11 men and me. I would find out years later that the two people who interviewed me had already decided that a woman couldn’t do the job. Then they met me and I wowed them in the interview,” said Almeida. “It’s almost like they couldn’t say no to me — I checked all the boxes. Forget I’m a woman. Look at the qualifications of the person.”

Watch the interview above or on YouTube.