Appliance Tagging Services (ATS) offers an unrivalled lifestyle business that perfectly suits Melbourne franchisee Yishi Zhang.
Buying a business was an easy decision for Yishi who was keen to get ahead and build a future for his family.
However, it took the former hospitality worker a few years to discover the business opportunity that would deliver the lifestyle he was seeking.
“I owned my own food retail business for four years,” explains Yishi.
While he enjoyed the business, the demands of a seven-day-a-week operation didn’t allow him much downtime.
“When you own your own business, you can do triple jobs to keep the business going!” he says. “Food retail took too much time for my wife and me. We want to spend more time with our five-year-old son.”
ATS delivers lifestyle for young dad
And it was that decision that drove Yishi and his wife Nicole Zhao to look for a more lifestyle-friendly business. They found it in leading test and tag franchise ATS.
Nicole spotted an ad on a Chinese-speaking website for an existing business in a neighbouring suburb.
“My wife suggested, ‘If you do this, we could have more time with the family’.”
Yishi saw the potential for a better lifestyle and met with co-founder Sarah Allen and franchise operations manager Chris Longley to discover more.
“They were happy with me and I liked them and the business model,” says Yishi.
He had a clear plan for transitioning into the ATS business. It was mid-2022 when he and Nicole put down a deposit for the established business but it was another six months before they took the reins.
“Once we paid the deposit I started fire and electrical training with ATS and studied before completing the purchase,” he says.
At the same time, they maintained their food retail business; Nicole took on the day-to-day operations.
They then took a month’s family holiday over the Christmas break to recharge and reset before taking on the ATS business.
Training and support provided
Even with no test or tag experience, Yishi was able to step up to the technical demands of the new business.
“It’s quite different from food retail! But I’m a fast learner and the support from ATS is really good.”
Buying an established business with an existing customer base was a smart move for the couple.
“That’s why I took the business, it was a very easy start for me. Business has been pretty good from the beginning,” admits Yishi.
“I’m really appreciative of what ATS did, they try their best to help each of us all the time. The team is always patient, they are so good.
“ATS provides a lot of support. I can call any time during the day, they give us support instantly. They always help out on the spot.
“I never felt nervous because I know I have strong support,” says Yishi.
Balancing revenue growth with lifestyle needs
Franchisees operating test and tag services enjoy a customer base with significant repeat business.
“I have the Springvale territory in Melbourne. It is near Moorabbin Airport with lots of factories – I have about 10 per cent of these as clients,” he says.
However ATS also provides leads, and Yishi has an excellent track record of converting these leads into customers.
“I’m very happy so far. My goal is to maintain my revenue. It’s a good balance with work and family.”
Long term Yishi sees plenty of growth potential, but that’s in the distant future.
“If I want to increase revenue, I have to spend more time at work. At the moment I want to keep it small. In a few years when my son is older, I will grow the business more.”
Yishi often gets to his first job at 7am, with some earlier and later starts. His working day is usually over by 2pm, unless there is a job to complete in the afternoon.
“Now I can spend more time with my wife and my son. I pick him up from primary school most of the time. This is a lifestyle choice.
“ATS is a very good business if you have family,” says Yishi. “It’s a good opportunity to change your life.”