HOTWORX welcomes new franchisees, Janie & John Sullivan, with the purchase of 1 franchise license in Dallas-Ft. Worth, TX, and 1 in Oklahoma City, OK!
What lead you to explore franchise opportunities?
We were not even considering exploring a franchise opportunity until HOTWORX dropped in my lap. My husband and partner, Pat (John) stays very busy managing our commercial warehouse businesses, and various other ongoing projects and I've been a real estate broker in OK and TX for 35+ years but within the last few years, I had basically become burned out and retired. I'd been praying for a way to keep busy and give back to others and had been considering infant fostering as a way to achieve both goals. Then one fateful last minute trip changed our lives. I'll try to shorten the story as much as possible but it won't be easy.We have a chronically ill adult daughter who lives in Oklahoma and she constantly has to have surgeries and medical procedures on short notice and we had been to Oklahoma visiting for a few days and the day we planned to head back to TX, her doctor scheduled a risky medical procedure for her, the next day. We were in the process of building a new home in TX and Pat was the general contractor and had several things lined up so needed to return to TX so he went on back and left me there with plans to fly home when I knew everything with our daughter was o.k. When she was cleared to go home, I booked a flight with Southwest Airlines for the next day. It was a regular fare, not business class where you get the better boarding position, yet I got boarding position #3 which was a first in all my years to fly Southwest. I boarded and the first seats in the front on one side had 2 people there so I sat in the 3 empty seats on the other side. At least 20-25 more passengers boarded but passed by the 2 vacant front seats next to me, and then a younger couple asked if they could take the seats and I said "of course."We started talking and they shared a little about themselves and mentioned they were foster parents and I was excited to talk to someone about that since that's what I'd been considering, and eventually the conversation got around to where they were headed and why. They were on their way to NOLA for Discovery Day because they were trying to buy an existing HOTWORX franchise in Oklahoma. They were very excited and really didn't go into the HOTWORX business much at all so my interest was peaked. I wrote their names and the franchise name in my notes and as soon as Pat picked me up from the airport I started googling HOTWORX. I'm a huge believer in the benefits of infrared and we have owned our own infrared sauna for at least 10 years. I couldn't get the concept of exercising inside an infrared sauna out of my mind and a few days later just filled out the form for more information. The rest is history, as they say. I feel like Brad and Shayla Barrick were seated next to me on that plane for a reason and an answer to my prayer.
Can you describe your first HOTWORX experience?
While in Oklahoma, my husband Pat, myself, and our daughter in law drove an hour and a half to the HOTWORX studio in Enid, OK to try it out rather than wait until Discovery Day. Our daughter in law is a very serious Crossfit competitor and I was curious to see what someone that worked out like she does daily thought about the HOTWORX concept. I chose to do Hot Cycle and she wanted Hot Warrior, but it wasn't available for an hour so she did Hot Bands then we both did the Hot Row. She had originally planned to do Hot Warrior too but after Hot Bands and Hot Row, she was done! Done in a good way. She couldn't stop talking about how great it was and what an awesome add on to her Crossfit it would be for her fitness and recovery. She's a very nothing held back critic and won't say it if it's not true. She's become a huge HOTWORX fan and follows on social media and can't wait until we can open one (hopefully) closer to where she lives in Oklahoma. As for me, I was hooked as well. I can see this as one fitness avenue I can stick and not be intimidated like I am at regular gyms or big yoga group sessions.
How was your experience going through the HOTWORX Discovery Process?
Mandy Verges was awesome! She walked me through the HOTWORX franchise model and was great about answering all my questions and listening to my fears. Honestly, when I first filled out that form, I told myself "nothing will come of this. I'm too old. Pat will never be on board. I'm not sure I can do this. etc. etc." All the lies you tell yourself when you're scared to take a leap of faith out of your comfort zone. Mandy was the reason we took that leap and we're so excited and thankful we did.
What was it like attending Discovery Day and meeting the HOTWORX Executive Team?
It was a great experience meeting the team and learning a bit about how each one of them work in their individual fields of expertise, yet together to get their franchisees through to the finish line of the franchise ownership process. It was very eye opening as I had no idea so much was involved in getting a franchise business open.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs considering the opportunity to franchise with HOTWORX?
Do your homework. Check out the cost of other franchises and their markets and you'll discover that a HOTWORX franchise is not a huge money commitment compared to most, yet the potential and the benefits of ownership are huge!
What are the top 3 reasons you chose to franchise with HOTWORX?
1. The business model is solid & backed by years of experience by a solid successful team of owners and company executives.2. Minimal costs compared to other franchises and/or new business opportunities.3. The hard part is already done for us and if we follow the HOTWORX franchise model, we'll succeed so that takes a lot of the worry and fear out of starting a new business venture.
What goals do you have in bringing HOTWORX to your market?
We want to give back to our communities and people in need. Our main goal in becoming HOTWORX franchisees wasn't to put more money in our pockets, as we were comfortable as we were. We wanted a bigger means to help others and give back to those in need as well as help our customers become more fit and healthier.
What are you most excited for in your first year as a HOTWORX franchisee?
We're most excited to build a great team, get opened and watch our customers improve their health and their lives, though the benefits of infrared and exercise and start giving back to others.
Congratulations, Janie & John, and welcome to the HOTWORX family!
Looking for a new business opportunity and want to learn more about HOTWORX? Visit hotworx.net/franchising or call (504) 297-1HOT.
