Heading up a franchise from the age of 23 is a feat in itself, however Anytime Fitness franchisee Matthew Walker has gone one better – he’s been nominated as a finalist in the Victorian Young Achiever Award for Small Business Achievement.
Victorians up to 28 years of age are eligible for the awards, and they cover seven categories including the overall Victorian Young Achiever of The Year.
Matthew purchased an Anytime Fitness franchise in the Melbourne suburb of Moorabbin in June 2012, and its grown to include more than 800 members.
He says his age – Matthew was 21 when he began to research small business opportunities – played a role in his decision to invest in a franchise as opposed to an independent business.
“I instantly leaned toward the franchise model for structure and guidance to walk me through all the red tape and hurdles in creating and operating a small business.
“A close friend of mine [then] opened up an Anytime Fitness club and I saw how well the company looked after its franchisees, from sharing industry contacts to guidance on just about all aspects of operating a business.”
OVERCOMING THE CHALLENGES
Matthew was surprised by the costs associated with running the gym; however the franchisor training has equipped him with the knowledge and skills required to run a successful business and receive a return on investment (ROI).
“Running a gym is expensive,” he says.
“The training gives a great foundation for first time business owners. More specifically with regard to sales training, I feel all business owners and serious sales professionals should continuously seek to improve through training because there is a wealth of beneficial information out there just waiting to be implemented.”
Matthew is in business with his parents, however they reside in Sydney, so he is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the gym.
“That in itself presents its challenges – they act predominately on an advisory level and fly down every quarter to help out.
“[Most days] I am running around keeping all the members happy. Assisting over 800 members plus a bunch of personal trainers and sales staff really fills up your day,” he explains.
While local area marketing can prove challenging for franchisees, Matthew is actively involved in the community in myriad ways.
“We sponsor as many of the local sporting groups in the area as we can – we’ve sponsored and promoted football, netball, basketball, gridiron and cricket teams,” he says.
“We also donate to local preschools, primary schools and high schools in the form of gym memberships valued at approximately $300, which they can include in silent auctions and raffles.”
FRANCHISING WITH ANYTIME: IS IT FOR YOU?
Franchising has fostered Matthew’s personal growth and development as a person, and he has a simple goal for the business: to keep growing.
“The reality is that I still have a lot of work to do to get Anytime Fitness Moorabbin to a stage where I am satisfied. I suppose when you build a business from scratch you want to see it reach its full potential while remembering not to let emotion cloud your judgment,” he says.
“Franchising has given me the opportunity to create and operate a business some might say is beyond my years of experience.
“The franchise accelerated my learning curve and opened new doors, and I am now in the process of rolling out my newest venture in coaching and mentoring young entrepreneurs,” adds Matthew.