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Former Contiki tour guide gets his own wheels

Sarah Stowe

When Belgian Kris Van Waes pulled up behind a Snap-on Tools truck it would change his career and his life.

Kris Van Waes is a man of many talents. A former Contiki Tour guide and pharmaceutical sales rep, he speaks six languages including French, German, Dutch and Italian and regularly uses his carpentry skills to restore his 1920s home. But a chance encounter with a Snap-on truck saw Kris trade in one set of wheels for a franchise in late 2012.

After unexpectedly meeting his wife on one of his tours in 2004, the Belgian expat followed her to Australia and began working as a pharmaceutical sales representative. Kris excelled at his job and was the company’s top sales person for six years in a row. He decided he wanted more autonomy over his work and began looking into franchising as an option.

“I was parked behind a Snap-on truck one night after work and saw they were recruiting franchisees, so when I got home I looked them up and immediately submitted my application. A recruitment manager came to visit me the following week and it wasn’t long after that my territory in Artarmon became available,” Kris explains.

“I didn’t have any previous experience in the automotive industry, apart from driving coaches, but I liked the idea of being on the road again and being my own boss. So once I was approved Snap-on sent me for training at their headquarters in North America.”

Kris was one of the first to take advantage of Snap-on Tools’ own credit program that aims to finance franchisees. The Australian subsidiary of the US tool giant in 2012 started extending a $37,000 line of credit to get new franchisees on their feet.

The program was developed as a response to the major banks losing their appetite for small business lending with many franchisees unable to get finance for their new business venture. To date almost 80 percent of new franchisees who have joined the Snap-on network have elected to be financed by the franchisor, significantly reducing their reliance on the big four banks.

“I spoke with my solicitor and accountant and both said the franchise agreement was one of the best they’d ever seen, so I knew I was in good hands.”

Following his training in the US, Kris hit the road in his mobile truck in October 2012. His territory in Artarmon, NSW was previously surveyed by Snap-on Tools to ensure it had room for growth and a solid existing customer base. Kris was provided with a list of potential customers and for the first two weeks a sales development manager rode on the truck with him every day to show him the ropes.

“Snap-on’s franchise model is very well laid out and easy to follow. Once I got on the road, my customers were thrilled to have a new franchisee in the area and couldn’t wait to get on the truck. And even though I don’t have an automotive background, the support from my field team and even my customers has really helped me get my head around all the tools.

“It’s been a busy few months, but I am really enjoying it. Initially it was a bit daunting because you’re making a complete life change, but I’ve settled into a routine and love the independence of being my own boss.”