Franchise Everything

Ep36 Marcus Gehling, Kwik Kopy Dandenong - franchise owner journey

Franchise owner journey: After taking a redundancy from a commercial banking career after 18 years, Marcus finally wanted something for himself. Equipped with a Commerce Degree, Marcus took on a 20 year career in corporate banking in business banking and later in varying leadership roles. He had a desire for his own business yet a franchise was not necessarily on the cards for him as he had a perception of a lack of control. A criteria in his search for a business centred around location, turnover, profit and price primarily. After finding an existing Kwik Kopy franchise in an online listing, it just so happened that the business fitted all that criteria. And thankfully, the fears of a lack of control in a franchise were unfounded according to Marcus! :36 One career in Marcus' life prior to Kwik Kopy :51 What it was like getting into the business in the back end of covid March 2022 1:45 Business banking roles straight out of University then into leadership roles following at Macquarie and NAB 2:35 Marcus' initial view of his career while in commercial banking and his take on small business at the time through his roles 4:00 How his business banking experience impacts his approach to his business now including writing his own business plans and cashflow forecasts 5:44 The catalyst for change and getting frustrated in his banking career 6:46 What the redundancy conversation was like and how to approach it 8:37 Jump to another bank for around 18 months and why a conservative response during covid 9:46 Start the search for a business with the desire always there to have his own thing 10:41 The criteria for a business, location, turnover, profit and price - an existing business, not neccessarily a franchise 11:51 Perceptions of franchising when thinking a franchise wasn't for him - thought not enough control 12:35 Other factors in a business search for Marcus 13:21 How Marcus found Kwik Kopy 14:33 Due diligence - How Marcus used his business banking skills for due diligence to assess the franchise 16:31 Speaking with exisiting franchise owners and the feedback Marcus got 17:31 Bought off an owner who had the business for 20 years, with experienced staff all keen to stay 18:20 What the initial and ongoing interactions with Kwik Kopy were like 19:51 What Marcus enjoys most about what he does 20:37 Marcus role he plays on a daily basis in his business 21:45 The performance of the business since taking over the business 22:18 The future for the business 23:11 Secrets of success in a Kwik Kopy 24:14 Wrap up Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify:  http://tinyurl.com/ydh9dyr2 Apple Podcasts:  http://tinyurl.com/35u932fu Amazon Music: http://tinyurl.com/v7hcf89v YouTube: https://youtu.be/H72hV26kotw

Ep35 How to succeed at franchise expos, with Tim Collett

How do you get the best result from your investment in exhibiting at a franchise expo to pitch your franchise? Tim Collett, Managing Director of Specialised Events, which owns the Franchising & Business Opportunities Expo, has seen the best and the worst of it as far as brands putting their best foot and forward at the events over many years. In this valuable discussion for any franchisor looking to expand their network, Tim highlights that having a planned process of operating at a show, and the follow up process afterwards, is more important to the result than the actual booth space design that many would be focused on. A 'must-listen' if you are involving expos in any aspects of the your expansion plans! :26 How to exhibit and get the most out of a franchise expo as an exhibitor 1:26 Get organised early by committing and booking early for a better outcome 3:20 Planning processes in the months leading up to a show 4:11 What does success look like for you at a franchise expo? 6:33 Set up of your exhibition stand for success - be obvious 8:00 Letting prospects know you will be exhibiting at the event to come and meet face to face 10:10 Involving franchise owners on stands at franchise expos and promotions 11:30 Admin details well in advance of the show to avoid the scramble of pre-expo week 12:50 Team training a couple of weeks before the show about the objectives and plans 14:34 Putting the right people on an expo stand 16:50 Stand design doesn't necessarily need to be very expensive - but be professional 20:30 Be positive at the show as it affects the outcome significantly with your body language and attitude to all 22:45 The conversations based on benefits to the prospects and understanding more about each other 24:15 Don't say too much at an initial meet and disengage to focus on other prospects rather than spending too long with one person 25:05 Don't pack up early - you've invested in the show, but so have attendees. Don't plan it to leave early as it looks unprofessional 28:58 Following up after the show and having a process and plan organised before the show, not after 32:40 Complementary marketing for the events to help the success Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/y22apsce Apple Podcasts:  http://tinyurl.com/yvfrzecw Amazon Music:  http://tinyurl.com/mka34a25 YouTube: https://youtu.be/7ThoJmmZaVE

Ep34 The Beare Flooring Franchise Business Model, with William Beare

The Beare Flooring Franchise Business Model with William Beare. Originally from New Zealand, William was in the flooring industry over there and on moving to Australia several years ago, noticed that their was no equivalent mobile flooring offer with lower entry costs available in the industry. While the business is open to enquiries outside the flooring industry, in particular a focus on industry professionals tired of working for a boss and sitting in a showroom waiting for customers to walk in, are at a distinct advantage. Our discussion centred on some key aspects to the business; :33 A background in flooring in NZ and noticed the gap in the Australian market and entered with a mobile showroom through a full-fitted van of samples - the key point of difference :55 The mobile showroom point of difference as a showroom on wheels with customers seeing all samples at their house. 4:14 A family owned business with sister Aleisha also involved with the marketing and business management, and how that plays out in the culture of the franchise 6:50 Entry costs and how the business has built its offer around a low entry cost 7:53 The spread of vans and servicing on the road and the type of person best-suited to the franchise such as middle management sales people in existing flooring retailers 9:18 The key factor that customer enquiries result in higher conversion on the spot as getting an appointment in to a home is clearly a more qualified prospect of purchasing 10:53 Beare Central the company's sophisticated yet simple management system for the business. 13:56 The learning curve for people using the technology 14:54 The full-service nature in support of franchise partners with marketing done for you, accounts done for you and more. 17:03 Campaigns and activities when franchise partners and staff start into particular regions and how this is executed. Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify:  http://tinyurl.com/5579mac8 Apple Podcasts:  http://tinyurl.com/3wha6jbv Amazon Music:  http://tinyurl.com/3bru942z YouTube:  https://youtu.be/M0PlKAYb__E

Ep33 Steve Bowe, Hire A Hubby, Nowra - Franchise Owner Journey

Franchise owner journey: From mechanic to IT, mortgage broker and senior business analyst and trainer, Steve Bowe says he was far from being a handyman when he bought his Hire A Hubby franchise in Nowra, NSW. And in even more of a twist - he was certain he didn't want a franchise after being made redundant from his last corporate role! he went to an information night in Sydney after seeing an advertisement for the business keep popping up in front of him. He went there that night to make sure he can 'rule out' the business from his search for something where he can be his own boss and control his life more. 10+years later, and as an Enterprise level sized business within the network, Steve is a great story of trying many different careers until he later settled so well into a business of his own... :36 - What an Enterprise level franchise owner is in Hire A Hubby 1:16 - Running a husband and wife business and how it all works 1:45 - Not a handyman history at all, Steve's background as a fully qualified motor mechanics and then into IT and computing 3:22 - Out of IT and into mortgage broking then traveling around Australia 4:41 - Moved to Nowra with a family then into IT training with Corporates ending with a retrenchment in 2012 5:43 - Wanted to stay in Nowra so started looking for a business - anything where Steve is running his own business 6:54 - Why Steve was definitely NOT wanting a franchise at first  8:16 - Process of finding Hire A Hubby and the action he took attending an information night to 'rule out' the business 10:06 - How one franchise partners approach and lifestyle very much resonated with Steve 10:53 - What training was like for a 'non-handyman' and the initial growth and marketing of the business 12:26 - How the business is split into 4 streams to future-proof the business 14:10 - Steve's role on a day to day basis as he is now 'off the tools' 15:47 - Acquiring another business for growth and purchasing it for a value that was less than the contract work the business had in place 18:04 - How Steve is building his client base in becoming an 'Enterprise' level franchise in the system 19:16 - The difference between being a regional compared to metropolitan franchise partner 20:31 - Plans for the future   Podcast Produced by: www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/yk9tfwjt Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/3chjmhme Amazon Music:  http://tinyurl.com/nhcuhvp7 YouTube: https://youtu.be/_8kaZA_vlOQ

Ep32 5 Things that have made CouriersPlease what it is today with James Hucker

In this episode with James, we asked him to focus on a discussion on 5 key inflection points in the business that have been key in making the brand what we see today. 47secs - Changing the business model from Sub-Contractor to Franchise Partner in 2012 with the change of ownership to Singapore Post at the time. 2min 26 secs - CEO Richard Thame's arrival to the brand with a key focus on the franchising aspect of business. A long history of success with a number of other key franchise brands. 5min 59 secs - The massive surge in growth that particularly was triggered from the covid period, but that this growth has continued with 30million+ parcels a year now. 8min 29 secs - The role and changes with technology in the business and industry such as the Courier App, facilities being green, and automation machinery within freighting facilities. 10min 54 secs - Customer choices at the end user level and those options that customers now have, such notifications and deliveries to alternate hub locations like newsagencies, pharmacies and similar. Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/bhn594am Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/yeyt53p8 Amazon Music: http://tinyurl.com/2yw7cyjd YouTube: https://youtu.be/OU29wMwL-qY

Ep31 Ash Reddy, Kwik Kopy, Camberwell - franchise owner journey

Franchise owner journey: In search of better opportunities, Ash and her family migrated from NZ in 2014 without a business chosen. They had a lengthy 6 month wait after arrival to finally get the business they wanted. With Ash at home with the kids, and husband running a wine cellar / liquor store business, back in NZ, trips to Australia looking at around 30 businesses was the process before narrowing to a Kwik Kopy franchise. Now, several years later, Ash runs Kwik Kopy Camberwell, while her husband runs 2 retail based franchises of another brand - strong supporters of the franchise business model in making running a business easier! :37 Migrated from NZ in 2014 1:26 Why Ash didn't enjoy running a cafe business prior for about 10 months. 3:06 Thinking of the move to Australia 3:48 Career as an accountant prior to having kids 4:15 Flexibility of your own business 5:42 Why Australia? 6:26 Researching a business to buy in another country from NZ 7:27 Took 6 months after arriving to find a business 8:04 Finding Kwik Kopy and missing out on one but buying one off-market. 9:25 What was so attractive about Kwik Kopy? 10:38 Husband running a different retail brand franchise. 10:59 The franchising advantages - especially through COVID 11:33 Training and learning the Kwik Kopy system. 12:18 Ash' role in the business and a normal day. 13:53 Most satisfying solutions for clients. 15:46 The main jobs done by Kwik Kopy Camberwell. 17:02 Investing in and training on new equipment to offer wider services. 17:35  Decision making on investing in ROI on equipment. 18:37 Love most about owning the business. 19:40 What the future looks like in the business. Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify:  http://tinyurl.com/3kpkxxtz Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/2kuu2tun Amazon Music: http://tinyurl.com/dab8ukr5 YouTube: https://youtu.be/oI5HdVzTznk

Ep30 Neil Gibbins, Hire A Hubby, Gladesville - franchise owner journey

Franchise owner journey: After 15 years as a VP in Citibank Corporate, Neil was tired of the stress, no control of his life, and certainly didn't want to miss another school sports day! A shift into a 'handyman' franchise made a lot more sense than it may have otherwise appeared on the surface to others. Now a 20+year veteran in a business that sits in the size above 'man in a van' (called 'multi-person') for the brand, where he has staff and manages multiple trades in undertaking his work which is around 50% domestic and 50% stratas, corporates and schools. :27 Explaining levels of the franchise 1:00 Structure of the business 1:50 Sharing resources with other Hire A Hubby's - not in competition 2:33 Types of work 3:59 Recent jobs worked on 5:28 Engaging specialist trades work (plumber, electrician etc) 6:06 Hire A Hubby role in works like 'prep for sale' and referrals for those 8:14 Reno like 'The Block' every week! Building relationships with real estate agents 9:59 Importance of staying local for profitability, yet with an ability to serve wider 11:57 Network helping with suppliers of materials 12:55 Neil's day to day work 15:04 Background, a career in banking, and a family 16:15 The volunteer handyman at son's pre-school - a passion realised 17:50 Quitting banking and finding Hire A Hubby 19:14 'Interviewing' the CEO about the franchise 20:07 Buying Gladesville then Ryde territories and too much work 21:22 Call centre generated leads 22:05 What makes the business work from a Multi-Award winner? Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify:  http://tinyurl.com/yc6kfvdf Apple Podcasts:  http://tinyurl.com/2hdbkz8z Amazon Music:  http://tinyurl.com/2549zmc6 YouTube:  https://youtu.be/NGqENMDKxoU

Ep29 Dominic Alleaume, CouriersPlease, Cranbourne West - franchise owner journey

Franchise owner journey: After 17 years in warehousing and logistics that included a redundancy triggered by automation, Dominic decided that he needed a change and to give him and his family the opportunity to earn more than was on the table. Seeing the delivery drivers come and go, chatting to them and his uncle who owned a delivery run, he spent a week on the road to test if it was going to be right for him. 21 years later and he is a CouriersPlease veteran! Running one territory, selling it and moving to a new one with higher growth potential for his plans, Dominic is still on a mission. :44 A strong logistics, freight and warehousing background with Woolworths and Safeway supermarkets 2:09 After 15 years in warehousing made redundant from Woolworths and what happened with decision making around it. 4:03 Starting a family and wanting a change of life in a different career. 5:04 Thought process in shift to owning his own business with CouriersPlease. 6:34 Going on a trial delivery run for a week with his uncle who owned a CouriersPlease run and going over the pros and cons of the franchise. 8:06 What appealed to Dominic the most about the business - personal relationships with customers. 8:24 With CouriersPlease 21 years and starting as a contractor now to a franchise partner structure since 2012. 10:01 Sold Dandenong territory and bought new run in a different location with more potential, and the process of growing and splitting the territory. 10:50 What Dominic sees as a growth territory in a CouriersPlease business. 12:39 What a CouriersPlease franchise partners day and the future looks like. 14:46 Doing pick ups from customers while doing parcel drops as well. 15:14 The changes coming up with automation in the business to very likely make operating the business a lot easier with less manual handling. 16:28 How Dominic is approaching growing his territory now and previously with employing contractors, splitting runs and selling them. 17:59 Biggest changes seen in 21 years in the business. 19:47 The future for Dominic and what sees for his business. Podcast Produced by:  www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website):  www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: http://tinyurl.com/2u9z4p7b Apple Podcasts: http://tinyurl.com/2rfw99ej Amazon Music: http://tinyurl.com/2y8awcea YouTube:  https://youtu.be/riUaykIlkVo

Ep28 Ken Challis, Coochie Hydrogreen, Albury-Wodonga - franchise owner journey

Franchise owner journey - After spending 25+ years in food distribution and supermarket logistics, Ken channeled his passion for horticulture and the desire for a career change into a business of his own. But, owning his own business wasn't necessarily in the plan. The plan was to transition from supermarket logistics with a Certificate in Horticulture, and into the council parks and gardens division. Disconsolate about the fact he couldn't secure a job with the qualification after 4 years of study, was thinking his age at 59 was becoming a problem. A chance conversation with his brother who had just purchased a Coochie Hydrogreen franchise after being a customer, and everything seemed to just align very quickly for Ken from that moment onwards. Now with 400 or so clients in his region, and a target for 500 in the near future, Ken is looking forward to more growth. 0:26 What Coochie Hydrogreen does 1:13 Career prior in food service for an extended period distributing to restaurants, hotels and the like. 2:27 Into a large Woolworths logistics distribution facility with night shifts. 3:44 How they supplied 50+ supermarkets across the region and what amazed Ken about the actual cost of delivery per carton and the size of the operation. 5:28 A passion for horticulture and after 13 years looking for something else that he had a passion for. 6:35 Was told that he needed a qualification in Horticulture to get a job with the Council, enrolling in a Certificate 3 in Horticulture with a goal to get onto parks and gardens with the Council while still working for Woolworths. 8:08 Why the passion for horticulture - it came from mum. 8:59 Couldn't get a job with council after getting the qualification, and felt at 59 his age was possibly a problem. 9:36 Chance conversation and found Coochie as an option from his brother who had just bought a franchise. 11:14 Launching Coochie in his region and feedback from current owners. 12:17 The help from Coochie and growing the business. 13:34 Progress of growth in the region starting from zero clients. 15:06 Ken's initial doubts and continued drive to grow the business from the start with simple local area marketing strategies. 16:39 How he grows the business with face-to-face marketing and a focus initially on the bowls club for clients. 18:16 Other local marketing activities in the are with kids rugby league, beer coasters in pubs and more. 19:08 The Coochie advantage of comparing the lawn next door after the lawn care program is implemented. 19:49 What he loves about the business now 5 years down the track and goal for the future.  21:30 Bringing another staff member on and how the business operates. Podcast Produced by: www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/jmcc8t9p Apple Podcasts: Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/2nhmj67r YouTube:  https://youtu.be/1PKmNz36mvg

Ep27 Richard Thame, CouriersPlease, CEO. Franchise Business Leader.

From marketing with McDonald’s to cinemas, the car rental, print and travel industries, and ultimately on to a key focus in the parcel and logistics industry as the CEO of CouriersPlease, you’d never know Richard Thame started business life as an Accountant! A common thread through much of Richard’s career has been around the franchise sector with most roles directly related. A quick realisation that accounting wasn’t for him, Richard started at McDonald’s in accounting and as able to cross disciplines into marketing for the brand. Exposure to industries undergoing significant change has been typical with cinemas at the time of his role there battling video stores for relevance, and his time in the car rental industry with transitioning rapidly to booking cars online and not over the counter. Seeing online retail as the future in 2008, as at the time, CEO of Fastway Couriers, Richard and his team set about positioning the business for that future. Enticed back to parcel and logistics with CouriersPlease, Richard is very focused on the franchisor / franchisee relationship and making that the best it can be to enable the growth of the business, building on a sustainable point of difference, and embracing technology at the same time. All the while playing the role of husband and a father to 4 boys with everything that having a 3,6,20, and 22 year old children age spread brings with it! 0:22 Introduction 1:44 A big believer in the franchise business model 2:50 Diverse path from an Accountant out of uni and the realisation that accounting wasn’t form him. 4:25 An opportunity from an accounting role with McDonald’s to a marketing role in that brand. 5:20 Loved about product marketing at McDonald’s - the broad exposure within the business. 6:59 Moving to the film industry with Greater Union that was going through enormous change competing with video stores at the time. 9:00 Back into franchising in the car rental industry with Thrifty and key learnings in industries where they are commoditised. 11:45 A further shift to a role in another travel industry related business of technology handling millions of bookings with technology platforms for agency groups - retaining a franchise connection as a supplier to the franchise industry. 14:00 First foray into the parcel and logistics industry was with Fastway Couriers, and the changes. 15:40 Concept of focusing on online retail into the future from as early as 2008. 17:50 The beauty of franchise model in logistics that differentiates from a postal network. 19:23 How expesnive franchises are becoming. 21:33 Exposure to other franchise roles and companies after 10 years at Fastway, and moved into one of Australia’s oldest companies, Snap Printing as CEO. 24:42 Franchising networks standing out during covid challenges. 26:50 Why transition to CouriersPlease and back into parcel and logistics. 28:21 Securing large retail contracts for franchise partners while also providing systems and tools to help find their own customers. 29:04 Changes in business to consumer deliveries, and parcel lockers not growing as much as pick-up and drop-off points. Addressing pain points for customers. 31:08 Using the enormous database of customers to address pain points while keeping privacy front and centre, as well machine learning and technology investment. 32:12 Sustainability, working with customers for more eco-friendly packaging and initiatives toward electric vehicles over time. 33:30 Passion for franchising and involvement with the Franchise Council of Australia and a focus on franchise education. 36:43 Family life and balancing career with age gaps of a 3 year old and 6 year old kids along with 20 and 22 year old boys, and how this plays out. 39:18 Crystal ball for the future. Podcast Produced by: www.magneticbusinessmedia.com.au Franchise Stories and Knowledge Base (our other website): www.franchisebuyer.com.au Listen or Watch on; Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/8nztu76n Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/mrkbn65t Amazon Music: https://tinyurl.com/mv42r44z YouTube: https://youtu.be/0xfMj2XHJ70