Cover Story
you only really need a few. When we looked at it all as a package, we just thought it was something we could make work. It was achievable to open up your gym and have 1,000 members by the end of the fi rst year.”
Constant support
As workable as the Anytime Fitness model may be, a franchise’s success requires a constant application of eff ort from its owner, especially during the all-important early stages. For Onur, this labour of love was uniquely challenging, as he took the reins of the Harlow club while he was still working full time as a teacher. Long days at school were followed by
pre-sale and planning duties, and it was during this busy time that he came to appreciate the unfl inching support provided by Anytime Fitness’s head offi ce. “We found them to be very good,” he explained. “We had help right from the start. We were operating in a new fi eld, and frankly, without the support, we would have had no idea what we were doing. “The initial meeting was a bit of a shock to the system, but it was an invaluable asset and helped massively by giving us an idea of what we should and shouldn’t be doing. The ability to contact them whenever we needed to was vital, especially during the growth stages. Even now they are always available and will give you any advice that you need.”
Onur’s pre-sale period saw him and his
staff engaging with the local community during visits to nearby supermarkets and shopping centres, while the entrepreneur also fi elded calls from potential members by telephone in the evenings after fi nishing his day job. Even after the club opened, he would drive from his school to meet with the newly-installed manager and staff . Onur would chat to members, review sales and take phone calls, leading to long working days that required him to be at his day job from seven in the morning until six in the evening. But putting in the hours at that stage has helped Onur to shape a business that aff ords him a much more rewarding work-life balance. An average day might see him onsite between 10am and four and fi ve in the evening, but the Anytime Fitness model gives him the fl exibility to let him shape his work schedule rather than the other way around. “When we were in the growth stages, I was certainly busy,” he said. “Compared to then, I’m probably only doing 10 per cent of the workload. “There’s obviously still plenty to do because you’re running a business, but it’s enjoyable and manageable; there’s a positive atmosphere because you’re surrounded by people working hard to achieve their goals. It’s a nice place to be. “Now I can have more time with my kids in the morning and do the breakfast and school run. With my previous job I couldn’t
do any of that because I was at work by seven in the morning. In that respect, the balance is much, much better.”
Forward thinking The hard work put into launching Anytime Fitness Harlow was clearly appreciated by those living and working nearby, with the membership base growing rapidly to the point that the club reached break-even point by month six and turned a profi t after its fi rst year.
Existing users continue to be the main source of new members through referrals and Onur’s experience has been so positive that he and his brothers are currently negotiating for a second club in Braintree. Beyond that, Anytime Fitness’s eff ort and achievement is likely to convince the former teacher to continue viewing the franchise as a star pupil. “We will try and do as many as possible,” he predicted. “I don’t know what the limit is – maybe fi ve or six. Every year we’ll try and get another one!”
Anytime Fitness Health and fi tness
www.anytimefi
tness.co.uk
jointhefamily@anytimefi
tness.co.uk 0330 3322 362
November 2016 |
BusinessFranchise.com | 15
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