Part III: Obstacle
FranchisePlayers: After 9/11, This Franchisee Sold Everything to Reboot His CareerBY KateTaylor | 5 September, 2014
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Franchise Players is Entrepreneur’s Q&A interviewcolumn that puts the spotlight on franchisees. If you're a franchisee withadvice and tips to share, email ktaylor@entrepreneur.com.
For Andrew Slattery, the terrorist attacks on September11, 2001, were a wakeup call. At the time, Slattery was a salesman for aplastics company and was traveling often. It took him days to get home to hisfamily after the attacks, and it was then that he decided it was time to takehis career into his own hands.
Slattery – who had no previous experience in theautomotive industry – decided to become a Valvoline Instant Oil Changefranchisee. Today, he owns 28 locations, and plans to keep on growing.
Name: AndrewSlattery
Franchise owned: I own 28 locations of a Valvoline Instant Oil Changefranchise between North and South Carolina. My centers are located in citiessuch as Charlotte, Raleigh, Ashville, Wilmington, Winston Salem, and Greenville–Spartanburg.
How long have you owned a franchise? I purchased my first Valvoline Instant Oil Change 12years ago. It was an established location but the owner had passed away. Imoved across the country from California to North Carolina to purchase thebusiness from his widow.
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Why franchising? Since I had no previous experience owning a business, Idecided buying a franchise was the smartest thing to do. By aligning myselfwith a company such as Valvoline Instant Oil Change, I was able to get theguidance I needed. I was never left to solve problems on my own. I was alwaysable to depend on corporate for franchisee support. Valvoline Instant OilChange is rare in that regard.
What were you doing before you became a franchise owner? I am a former salesman for a plastics company based inCalifornia. The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, were a wakeup call forme. My sales job required me to travel. As I struggled to get home to my familyin the days following the attacks, I realized I needed to take my fate andfortune into my own hands. It was then I started looking into franchising andwhat ultimately led me to buy into Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
Why did you choose this particular franchise? I really wanted to find something with a good trackrecord and with a good outlook for the future. I researched various franchiseopportunities online and kept coming back to Valvoline Instant Oil Change. You might think my interest in the company was connectedto some deep seeded passion for cars. It wasn’t. I even blew the motor in myfirst car because I didn’t know I had to check or change the oil. I didn’t knowa thing about cars at first. What I do know is a good business model when I seeone – and I saw that in Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
How much would you estimate you spent before you wereofficially open for business? It really depends on the scope of your initial investmentand your market. Valvoline Instant OilChange required me to have around $300,000 liquid assets to become afranchisee. I purchased the business for $180,000. I paid a $30,000 franchisefee to Valvoline Instant Oil Change.
Where did you get most of your advice/do most of yourresearch? I did my research about franchising on the internet. OnceI zeroed in on Valvoline Instant Oil Change, I picked up the phone and calledthe franchising division. I didn’t have an appointment. It was a spur of themoment call. The franchising team took my call seriously and answered all myquestions. I followed that phone call up with a trip to Lexington, Kentucky tothe company headquarters. The visit solidified my interest in the franchise. Related: Franchise Players: How Six-Time UkrainianBallroom Dance Champs Became Fred Astaire Dance Studio Franchisees
What were the most unexpected challenges of opening yourfranchise? I don’t think I understood the hours one needs to putinto a new business to make it successful. There is also a lot of paperwork involved,whether paying bills or filling out tax forms. It can be overwhelming at first.Luckily, with the support from corporate and my fellow Valvoline Instant OilChange franchisees, I was able to overcome the challenges.
What advice do you have for individuals who want to owntheir own franchise? Research the franchise well, no matter how big or small.Make sure you get an attorney to do due diligence on the property and thelease. Make sure you have a clear title. Once you buy in, follow the system infront of you. The Valvoline Instant Oil Change franchising model is tried andtrue. Follow the guidelines, the programs, the training and the classes. It isa full program. If you follow everything, you can be very successful.
What’s next for you and your business? What’s next? Growth. I just completed the purchase of twoexisting quick lube stores and converted them into Valvoline Instant Oil Changecenters. I am working on a new build right now, which will be my 29th location.I hope to open the garage doors in October. All this upward movement will allow me to add some morejobs. I’m also planning on hiring more people on the support and operationsside.
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Source: entrepreneur http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/236982 |