Anthony Belcher is a franchisee with physiotherapy chain Back In Motion Health Group. We asked him some questions about being a franchisee…
How long have you been a franchisee?
“I’ve been a Back In Motion Health Group franchisee for just over five years now. I started when I was 25 and am now 30, I’m glad I began my journey as a franchisee quite young as the first four years were so time demanding, which wouldn’t have worked if I had kids.
Now that I have two kids, I can spend time with them without the business taking away all of my time.”
Why did you decide on franchising as a business model?
“I was running a physiotherapy practice myself, and I was literally the only person in the business. I soon realised it wasn’t a business, it was a job! After reading a few books such as Rich Dad Poor Dad I decided to get into the franchise model so I could learn how to run a business properly.
What made you choose this brand?
“Back In Motion is the only franchised physiotherapy business in Australia though importantly, the group has a great ‘Purpose, Vision and Values’ which aligned with mine. I knew that if I embraced Back In Motion Health Group’s philosophies and adopted their franchise model and systems, that I would achieve great results, as many other franchisees already had.
How much research did you do beforehand?
“It took me about three to six months to research, write a business plan and complete an application to join Back In Motion. I researched about buying a franchise, the physiotherapy industry, and Back In Motion itself.
The time it took was longer than it had to be… I was probably allowing the idea to simmer in my head as I knew it was an “all or nothing” decision. The interesting part is that if I listened to my accountants and solicitors I probably would not have joined the group.
It is their job to pick the teeth out of things, but they can also get you to think quite negatively if you let them. In the end I knew it felt right and I was willing to have faith and take a risk.
How did you fund your franchise investment?
“I borrowed some money from my brother, had some money myself, and borrowed the rest from the bank. In 2007 banks were fairly generous to lend as it was pre-GFC and they were much more willing to lend to a franchise, than a start-up business.
“In 12 months from now all of the debt will be re-paid and we will have a highly profitable business.”
What will you do when your agreement comes up for renewal?
“Our renewal came up yesterday! We signed for another five years and I’m fairly certain we’ll be at Back In Motion for another 10 years after that. The model is so robust, so successful and the people align perfectly with my own values. The only time I’ll leave is when I’ve had enough of being a business owner, probably many years away yet.
What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned as a franchisee?
“How much work goes into running a true business. I thought business was about knowing a lot, but it’s really about working hard to establish the business, and then working on yourself to learn skills of delegation, management, financial management and continually trying to improve.
“The process of developing the business never ends, which I never understood prior to becoming a franchisee.”
What has been the biggest challenge as a franchisee?
“Coming to the decision that if anything goes wrong in the business, it’s my fault.
“It’s easy to blame the franchisor, employees, clients, the market, the economy or any other factor. However by accepting all mistakes are my fault, it allows me to move forward with solving problems and learning from them in the future.”
Is franchising a lifestyle or an economic decision for you?
“It’s both. I firmly believe that the economic result comes first, and once that is sorted out it’s up to me what lifestyle I lead.
“I don’t want to be perceived as someone who only cares about money, but in society so many of us are restricted and dictated to by our financial circumstance (including me). I want to break free of this restriction so that I can choose what to do with my time and my life.”
What goals have you achieved since being a franchisee?
“The first goal was to learn how to run a business, and while that goal will always be there I certainly have many more skills now than I did five years ago.
“Secondly I have freed myself operationally from the business, which allows me to work when I want. Now I spend plenty of time with my family, which is the most important thing to me.”
Anthony Belcher is the franchisee for the Sydenham, Victoria franchise of Back In Motion Health Group
Image above: businessreviewaustralia.com.au