Mobile tool retailer Snap-on typically attracts mechanics as business owners. Yet one stellar franchisee shows you don’t need an automotive background to reap success.

Paul Woosnam is a Top 100 Franchisee worldwide (excluding USA), not just this year but nine years in a row for global business Snap-on. He’s also the brand’s New Zealand Regional Franchisee of the Year 2021.

He is clearly a man at the top of his game yet this was something he fell into, he says.

“I spent 19 years in the UK in a retail chain in store and head office roles. It set me up for this really well. I like selling, I like retailing.”

Snap-on is a prestigious brand

Joining the business without mechanical experience has proved to be easy. 

“The support from the team is awesome. I remember when I started, someone said ‘the only dumb question is the one you don’t ask’ and that’s bang on at Snap-on.”

It all started in Sydney. Paul and his wife took a year to travel around Australia and visited a friend who was a Snap-on franchisee.

Paul knew was that Snap-on was a prestigious brand with tools that all mechanics aspired to work with.

“Everyone wants it even if they can’t afford it,” he says. “My mate had a stocktake the next day and I got talking to one of the managers.”

It piqued his interest and Paul spoke to the head office team in Sydney. He liked the business team’s professionalism.

“I like the way the accounts ran, I liked the product, the people we met were fantastic. There was nothing you could ask that someone couldn’t help with.”

Paul decided he wanted to be a part of this global success story. What he didn’t know was where he would live!

“I had decided I wanted to work for myself but not live in Australia.”

Snap-on’s Australian office also manages the New Zealand business. The couple looked to the islands and settled on Christchurch.

“It had advantages for the business and I can mountain bike within an hour of home and get to the ski-fields in an hour and a half. The lifestyle suits us,” says Paul.

Snap-on franchisee success starts with great training

His biggest challenge as a new business owner was proving himself to customers. 

“You have to show you are doing what you say you are doing,” he says.

“The other challenge was my knowledge. I thought I knew about tools but I really didn’t.”

He spent two days in the Sydney office and eight days training in the US in preparation.

“You walk out knowing how to run the business. The training in the US is really fantastic,” he says.

He boosted his new-found knowledge with excellent sales experience. 

“In my previous career, we had it hammered into us, how you present your store is crucial. You have to look the best, act the best, be the best presented.”

Expansion of the business

“I was running out of hours so I brought someone else on but customers kept asking for me”. 

Snap-on worked with Paul to enable him to grow his business to a multi-unit franchise. At one point, Paul had three areas and he was then able to sell off some of those areas once they were developed. 

Do more than customers expect

While this is a Monday-to-Friday business, Paul works a six-day week. 

“I spend half a day sorting out my truck, half a day doing admin. I like admin,” he confesses. “But that’s my choice and every second Wednesday I finish early to go mountain biking for a few hours.”

The hard work is paying off. “Last year was a killer year”. His sales are usually up between eight and 25 per cent annually.

The strong business performance has helped him enjoy his lifestyle and also catapulted him into award-winning status. So what does he believe has brought him success?

“I think it’s hard work, and a combination of doing what you say, and then doing a little bit more. Do better than people expect.

“I always wanted to be first number on someone’s speed dial. Give the best service, have a well-stocked truck.”

The self-confessed workaholic has a mega goal for his Snap-on business – a $2 million turnover. 

“That’s the big goal, that and a new truck, I want to-upgrade to a larger size so I can hold more stock. And the more I can stock the more people can buy.”

To start your journey with Snap-on, visit www.franchisebusiness.com.au/brands/snap-on-tools-australia/.