Australian Franchise News – 24-04-14
Anytime Fitness Australia is Australia’s number one health club. With over 2500 clubs and 2 million members’ worldwide, since Anytime Fitness’s launch into Australia in 2008 it has become the quickest growing segment of the world’s fastest growing fitness chain. There are currently over 340 clubs open throughout Australia and 400 clubs are scheduled to open by December 2014. The company is not only achieving huge success as a brand, but its franchisees are proving to be equally as successful, with twenty four year old Victorian franchisee Matthew Walker nominated for a prestigious award!
Matthew opened his first Anytime Fitness franchise in Moorabbin, Victoria in June 2012 at just twenty three years of age. Less than two years on his huge achievement is being recognised with Matthew being nominated as a finalist for the Victorian Young Achiever Award for Small Business Achievement. The purpose of the Victorian Young Achiever Awards is to acknowledge, encourage and most importantly promote the positive achievements of young Victorians up to 28 years of age. The Awards recognise the achievements of Victoria’s youth in seven categories, with one of the six category winners being named the Victorian Young Achiever Of The Year.
Matthew comes from a history of admirable business achievements, starting off in sales where he was the youngest staff member to be promoted to a Senior Account Management role and consistently was one of the top salesmen in his company. He chose to become an Anytime Fitness franchisee after seeing the success it had for his best friend who opened a club in Mitcham. Having looked at other franchise companies, Matthew felt they were nowhere near as comprehensive as Anytime Fitness, nor gave him the flexibility he desired. Less than two years on from opening his club Matthew has 14 staff and over 800 members, all before his twenty fifth birthday!
When asked what advice he would give others looking to start a successful business Matthew commented “My business would not have been where it is today if it was not for me reaching out for help. Age is not a barrier to entry it just results in a much steeper learning curve to master your trade. I rely heavily on the support from those around me with greater knowledge and experience. Utilising a business coach for strategic and mindset training has kept me focused on my goals and inevitably my greater vision. For anyone looking at taking that next step in their life, a great business coach should be your first priority!”
The Victorian Young Achiever Awards presentation takes place on 9th May 2014.