If you are reading this, you are probably aware that McDonald’s is the world’s largest fast-food restaurant chain. But have you ever considered how it all happened? It was the natural result of McDonald’s franchise-based business strategy.
When a person enters a franchise business, he gradually gets access to the credentials of that brand or the company with permission to sell its products within the mentioned location in that specific area.
This gradually decreases the brand owner’s efforts by avoiding the heavy task of promoting the brand, which most new companies encounter in the initial stages.
Startup capital, speed of expansion with minimal risk and effort, motivated management, and many more benefits are the key benefits for any firm or individual entering the franchise industry. One such company that enables these firm factors, enabling mobility and convenience altogether is Send Me a Trainer.
Send Me a Trainer is a free online platform connecting fitness professionals with clients in select cities nationwide. It is the first franchise model to bring technology and Silicon Valley to the franchising world. The franchisees of this company can expand the total addressable market by adding additional categories on the app such as music instructors, tutors, other categories etc.
In the following interview, Bary El-Yacoubi, the Co-founder and CEO and Muhssin El-Yacoubi, the Co-founder and CFO shed light on the company’s journey, their opinion on the current industry landscape, and their vision for the company’s future.
What makes Send Me a Trainer a preferred franchise choice over your competitors?
Send Me a Trainer is the first technology marketplace for in-home services (personal trainers, tennis coaches, etc.) available as a technology franchise. We just happened to start with personal trainers and sports coaches.
We have awarded over 50 territories and expanded Internationally to the UK and Dubai all within our first two years of Franchising.
Tell us more about your franchising opportunities, eligibility criteria, and benefits that a probable franchisee may receive.
Key Features and Competitive Advantages
- Low start-up and overhead costs (Get started for under $50k)
- Proprietary technology and mobile app
- Scalable and flexible business model – Multiple service categories
- Work from home
Ideal Candidate: No Fitness Experience Required
We are looking for outgoing franchise owners who have sales, marketing, and/or management experience, and who are results oriented. A person who can build relationships, lead a team, and who has the motivation to excel!
To qualify, franchisees need:
- Proven record of accomplishment
- Strong sales and communication skills
- Minimum of $49k in liquid capital to invest in your business
How did the COVID-19 pandemic impact your daily operations and what were the challenges that you faced?
We are rapidly expanding given the boom in home Fitness. The fitness industry has changed due to COVID with home fitness and home-based services now booming. Home fitness was already popular; however, the pandemic accelerated more consumer adoption.
Industry experts indicate that the total addressable market of the home fitness industry has increased by ten billion dollars annually due to the pandemic driving consumers away from fitness clubs.
When it comes to adapting to the evolving customer needs and trends, do you think it is necessary to align one’s business with the latest technological developments? If yes, how does Send Me a Trainer cater to this necessity?
Send Me a Trainer is the first technology marketplace for in-home services (personal trainers, tennis coaches, etc.) available as a technology franchise.
We evolved our business to be entirely mobile app-driven and in line with the latest technology. We also automated the operations of the business through technology.
Those looking to start a business now, and specifically a franchise, can now franchise a technology on-demand business. We are the first to make technology available as a franchise model.
The new generation of business owners are looking for modern business models and our franchise model is technology-oriented, and we streamline all operations through technology. An example of this is that franchisees do not waste time running payroll, our system automates that completely.
Franchise owners can focus their precious time on things that matter and grow the business and not be stuck in the operations of the business. We are also disrupting the franchise industry by bringing technology and Silicon Valley to the franchising world.
As an established franchise leader, what would be your advice for the budding entrepreneurs planning to own franchise business?
Think about the lifestyle that you want to achieve by becoming a business owner and ensure that the franchise you select is in line with your goals.
With Send Me a Trainer, we designed our franchise model to be in line with the modern way of doing business: Work from home or on the go, technology-driven, low start-up cost, easily scalable.
How do you envision scaling Send Me a Trainer’s operations in 2022?
We will continue to grow our footprint, both in the US and with more international expansion. Being a technology company, we can scale faster.
Our franchisees will also launch additional service categories within the markets that their existing clients are looking for.
Comrades Exhibiting Excellence
Bary and Muhssin El-Yacoubi (brothers) are Co-founders of Send Me a Trainer. Bary has over 15 years of experience in entrepreneurship and start-ups in the fitness and wellness industry with specializations in sales and marketing.
Bary earned his Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Exercise Science. Bary holds many certifications including the National Academy of Sports Medicine – Certified Personal Trainer certification, Performance Enhancement Specialist, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Fitness Nutrition Specialist.
Muhssin has over 15 years of experience in Entrepreneurship, Private Equity, and Investment Banking across multiple sectors and geographies including, the United States, the Middle East, and India.
Muhssin earned his Bachelor of Science in Finance and Accounting from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and his M.B.A from the Kellogg School of Management at North-western University with a specialization in finance and entrepreneurship.
