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A MAN WITH A MISSION
It’s often easy to assume that purchasing and running a franchise is an older person’s game, but the success Michael Carew from Queensland is enjoying is proving the rule wrong.
At a tender 31 years, Michael has been operating his Snap-on Tools franchise in Paget for two years. Trained as a diesel fitter, Michael knew he was not going to be content only taking a salary. He realised from a young age the power in controlling his own employment and spent a lot of time looking into business opportunities, and a Snap-on franchise was one of these.
The self-starter went on to be employed by the local Snap-on franchisee before taking the leap and investing in his own franchise. Michael had a great handle on the operation of the business even before he starting running his own.
“The Snap-on business is really simple to run,” said Michael. “At its heart it is simply about building up relationships with your customer and following the rules of the franchise. You can’t fail.”
For Michael the secret to success is not only the simplicity of the franchise system, it is the support from head office that he receives on a daily basis.
“It’s incredible,” he said. “There are so many programs and ways to get support. From product information to getting my hands on discontinued stock, I can’t fault it. My direct support team, the Sales Development Managers, they step up that extra notch to help you out.”
Although to most of mainstream Australia the Snap-on Tools brand might be a bit mystifying, Michael is under no illusions when he is out in the field and selling product.
“The Snap-on brand is known by everyone. I don’t have to do any selling to convince people of the quality of the product; they already know it. I challenge you to find anyone who is interested in working with their hands to not know about the Snap-on brand.”
Michael is a successful franchisee, and is deeply proud of the business he operates. But even he accepts he wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of important people both inside, and outside, the business.
“I know that I wouldn’t be the best I could be in this business without the unfailing support of my partner, Lucy,” he explained. “She is the one behind the scenes who assists with paperwork and supporting me in my enterprise. But at the same time, our decision to purchase a franchise has helped us invest in a better lifestyle for both of us.
“We have been able to afford to send Lucy to university, to study and work towards something she really enjoys. We would never have been able to do that before Snap-on.”
Michael is keen to see the business grow and over the short time he’s run it he’s seen his weekly billings increase by 25 per cent with no sign of slowing. But Michael is a man with a mission.
“I’m looking to retire early. I reckon Snap-on just might be the way to do it,” he said, laughing.
If you’re interested in taking out a Snap-on Tools franchise, and you want to know if it’s right for you – take the Discovery Tour.
The Tour is an interactive program of 6 modules that takes you behind the scenes of operating a Snap-on franchise. Work out if the business will work for you, and get to ask the hard questions.
Take a trial today: http://www.snapontools.com.au/franchise/discovery_tour