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main feature
The Little Gym
F
ORTUNATELY WITH franchising you have a number of tried
and tested instructions to increase your chances of success. The
fi rst year for any business is arguably the most crucial. Franchising
doesn’t suffer from the same failure rate as a conventional start up, but it
is essential that anyone in the fi rst year of business is focused, prepared to
work hard and has the right level of support.
The most immediate challenge for new franchisees is entering an
industry that they know very little, if not nothing, about. Revive! franchisee
Paul Brimelow says: “I was entering an industry that I didn’t know – the
advice and training you pay for helps you avoid a lot of mistakes.”
Not only are franchisees expected to get to grips with a new
industry, but they also have to learn new systems and processes –
Lindsey Venner (third from left)
ultimately to equip themselves with the knowledge to run their business
independently. The Little Gym franchisee Lindsey Venner explains:
“Learning lots of new things all at once and learning to work with a new which may involve a telemarketing campaign or mailout in the franchisee’s
team was challenging. Everything was brand new when we started – area. These leads will then be followed up by the franchisee. Potential
including customers, who you really need to spend time with to get to franchisees should be clear about how the franchisor will help them get
know. Plus there was a lot of admin at the start.” their business up and running as this period can partly determine how
However it is just as much the franchisor’s responsibility to help new quickly your cash fl ow gets going.
franchisees get off to a great start. Franchisors often provide mentors at With cash fl ow in mind, the need to keep costs down is particularly
the start of the business as Matthew Wilson, Fastsigns franchisee explains: pertinent during the early stages of a franchisee’s business. When LighterLife
“I had a two-week training course covering all aspects of the business. You franchisee Nick Webb started his business almost 12 months ago he had
learn how the business works. You also have the opportunity to shadow a shoestring budget and operated out of temporary premises to reduce
established franchisees for two weeks.” cost. He says: “I enjoyed the challenge, especially as I overcame it!” Within
In many cases, franchisors will organise a launch for a new franchisee, six months of start-up Nick was already earning as much as he did in his
previous job in car manufacturing.
Establishing a business can take much longer than expected. For
Recognition Express franchisees Graham Marshall and Jackie Chandler –
who bought a franchise resale – it took about six months, whereas for The
Little Gym’s Lindsey it was about two years as she had to source her own
premises, while she taught at other Little Gyms.
The realisation of being your own boss can affect new franchisees more than
they initially thought. The responsibility of your own business requires hard work
and dedication, as Paul explains: “After leaving school at 16, I’d had 12 years of
being an employee and receiving a wage. Now I have to earn it. My days don’t
fi nish at 5 o’clock anymore. However, I know that what I put in I get out for
myself and I am no longer making money for other people.”
Similarly, Lindsey reveals: “I do fi nd it diffi cult to switch off. However, the
hard work is worthwhile; I now have 350 members and am delighted with my
Revive! franchisee Paul Brimelow working life.”
December/January 2010
www.businessfranchise.com
BF019-22_SpecialFture_Dec/Jan09.indd 3 19/11/2009 09:50
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