“I started out as a mechanic in a workshop, and I was a customer of the same Snap-on franchisee for a number of years,” says Andrew Kent. “When he wanted to expand into a second van, he offered me a job running it.”
This was an ideal offer for an aspiring entrepreneur, because Snap-on has a reputation for providing premium tools for professional and passionate mechanics.
“I was in small family business, and I wanted to move on but stay in touch with the trade in a different role.”
The shift from working on the tools to selling the world-class tools proved just the right move for Andrew.
“I enjoyed everything about the job. I liked the customer interaction, the sales, looking at the trade from a different angle.”
From mechanic to van owner
So when the franchisee sold the business, Andrew decided it was time to make the move into his own franchise.
“It was always my intention to buy my own business,” he says.
Andrew had gained invaluable experience in his four-year stint on the van.
“I effectively served an apprenticeship as a franchisee! I ran it as if it was my own business and managed all the aspects of ordering and made most of the business decisions.
“The franchisee mentored me, and it was an awesome way to understand, and get into, the business.”
Andrew bought a well-established Snap-on business that had operated as one of the first territories in Brisbane.
“It had been consistently good for over a decade so there was a good base to build on,” he says.
Snap-on fuelled franchisee’s ambition
That was 18 years ago. Even then he had the dream of owning multiple territories and vans and now he is powering as a multi-unit franchisee. He added the Redland and Capalaba territory to his original Woolloongabba to Port of Brisbane area. A year ago Andrew acquired the Yatala business.
And to manage all this he has two employees – and is looking for more.
“The business has changed – it used to be one man in a van, very much one-on-one with our customers. These days the model is open to employing an assistant, so there are two on the road full time. This means we can better service our customers, who can also interact with different personalities. The variation is good.”
Andrew’s first employee is a young woman, who could be following in his footsteps.
Originally a customer working in a family business, when the business was sold, like Andrew she jumped at the chance to get on the road with Snap-on.
Andrew’s customer base varies from general automotive and panel beating, to heavy manufacturing and marine, and some international orders from the port.
“We even provide tool solutions for privately-owned yachts,” he says. “Considering our customers are mostly repeat business, the variation makes it very interesting.”
Technology and innovation help boost franchisee business
Andrew takes advantage too of Snap-on programs that open up larger ticket sales.
“We have the capacity to provide bespoke tool storage for customers, which they can design themselves. It is custom-built in the US and shipped over.
Snap-on’s focus on innovation ensures it delivers a gold standard service to customers, providing hand and power tools, equipment, diagnostics, management systems and repairs information.
“We are really advancing here into top technology, and it’s a great service to offer our brand ambassadors.”
A Snap-on franchisee’s working day is governed by customers’ work hours, which are generally weekday. Since expanding his business into three territories, however, Andrew has shifted his role.
“Like most small business owners I spend a lot of time working on back-office admin. I am working on the business rather than in it and I enjoy that.”
Reflecting on starting out with Snap-on all those years ago, Andrew points to opportunities this heritage brand offers.
“As far as this system goes, as an employee, it broadens your scope. You could do anything within the business, move into the corporate side, or buy a franchise.
“This is a great brand; it has a great product and a really good system in place. Snap-on manages and nurtures you towards your goals.”