Tom discusses his journey to becoming a TRIB3 franchisee.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to opening TRIB3 Southampton Crossings?

I worked in finance for 15 years. Specifically Corporate FX Advisory. Very different from running a boutique fitness studio! I was looking to do something more entrepreneurial and fell in love with HIIT training about 4 years ago. So opening up my own studio seemed like a natural progression and a good way to enable my wife and I to move out of London and start something new outside of London.

Why did you go down the franchise route and why did you choose TRIB3?

I went down the franchise route because I have never run my own studio before and need help with almost everything!

I chose TRIB3 because I loved the design of the studios and the workouts. I did have an idea for creating my own gym/studio concept, but when I attended the GB Franchise Show, I saw TRIB3 and it was almost identical to the vision I had in my head. So finding something to meet my ideas on the design front with a wealth of industry knowledge seemed like a good fit.

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

I received very thorough training completed inhouse at TRIB3’s Manchester Head Office in all areas I can think of. Sales, operations, customer care, finance etc.

I have had amazing support all the way through. TRIB3 organised a lot of the financing, helped me find a location, designed the studio, organised builders, equipment, everything basically.

How would you describe your day-to-day role as a franchisee

I am also the Store Manager, so very hands on right now! I am in the studio most of the day everyday. I work across all areas except training, but I train daily, so I am living and breathing everything TRIB3 Southampton right now.

Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?

It has completely changed my life! I am now working in a different industry, running my own business in a city I am hoping to move to in the near future. Running my own business has definitely reinvigorated my work life. I was getting bored in my previous career. Now I live and breathe my business. ‘Going to work,’ doesn’t feel like going to work. I actually enjoy it now and am obsessed with it. I love it.

Also, opening a gym franchise is life changing because, due to certain health issues, being active and working out every day will literally extend my life compared to working in a job where I sit still behind a computer everyday.

What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?

For me, being part of a franchise is absolutely vital to everything I do. From the critically important issues such as: There is no way a bank or financial institution would have given a start up the level of financing (if any at all) during a pandemic. To simply knowing how to restock our protein cupboard, we do everything the TRIB3 way and it works.

Also, when my wife went into intensive care for 20 days over Christmas, having TRIB3 behind me to support me and pick up the pieces to make sure everything still moved forward while I helped my wife was incredible. They kept everything on track when I couldn’t. I don’t think anyone could ask for more from a franchise partner in a time like that.

For more information about franchising with TRIB3 and the available partnership options, simply click below for more details.