HOTWORX congratulates franchisees, Taylor Hicks and Jay Nixon, who were awarded 3 franchise licenses - 2 in the Charlotte market and 1 in the Boston (Manchester) market. They recently opened their Charlotte, NC (Highland Creek) studio!
What originally motivated you to consider a business opportunity?
I am a Registered Nurse and I have been a nurse in the hospital setting for 6 years. Over the last 4-5 years, nursing just hasn't been the same. In my opinion, it has transitioned farther away from being patient centered and being able to create relationships with your patients and moved into a more politically monitored field. It's more about proper charting and covering all your bases than it is about the care you actually deliver to your patient. Because of this, I have been searching for other options for the last 2.5 years. I knew I wanted to do something that was still related to healthcare, but just wanted to get out of the bedside setting.
What led you to explore franchising rather than an independent business?
Honestly, schooling. I learned absolutely nothing about finance, business, money, etc when I was in nursing school. It literally set me up to be a great nurse and know just about everything in regards to health, but left me in the dark about any other aspect of life. I don't know that I would really know where to start if I were to open my own independent business. I mean sure, I thought about it, but at the end of the day joining a franchise that has everything laid out for me and that I know is already working just seemed like the smarter option for me.
What was your initial impression of your first HOTWORX session?
I loved it! I was already going just about weekly to sit in an infrared sauna just to relax, so I was pretty used to the heat when I first went to HOTWORX. However, it really does make you sweat it out when you are working out in the heat. I went with my boyfriend for both of our first times and he absolutely DIED! haha But we both loved it so much and it pretty much solidified me taking the leap on the franchise.
How was your experience going through the HOTWORX Discovery Process?
I thought that it went smoothly. I think it breaks everything up in a way for you to really learn the information that you need. I enjoyed it. It just amplified my excitement.
How would you describe your Orientation Day and meeting the HOTWORX Executive Team?
I thought Orientation Day was great. I loved that we got to meet the entire Executive Team, including the CEO. I think that just really creates a friendly environment and lets you know that they really care. I think that it really allows you to feel valued and included. I don't think you get that feeling with a lot of other companies. It definitely made me feel like I was going to have all the support in the world throughout this whole process.
What advice would you give to other candidates considering the opportunity to franchise with HOTWORX?
Just to be open. The Discovery Process is meant to give you all the details to see if this is something that you could really see yourself doing. I think this opportunity is one of a kind and is going to be fantastic for me in the long run, but everyone is different. I think people should follow their hearts and do what feels right for them.
What are the top 3 reasons you chose to franchise with HOTWORX?
1. The infrared 100% was the top reason. I love the medicinal benefits. It ties in the holistic/prophylactic care that I appreciate so much more than medicine when it comes to healthcare.
2. It's an exercise studio. I looked into several other gym franchises and this one just fit who I was so much more than the rest. As a nurse it's really hard to find somewhere to workout (especially HIIT) at 4-5am and 8-9pm, so the 24/7 access was huge for me.
3. It's pretty new. I had no idea what it was when I first heard of it and that made me excited to be able to bring it back to where I live. I wanna blow this thing up!
What excites you the most in offering HOTWORX to your community?
I'm most excited about being able to focus more on preventative care. I love that I'm promoting so much more than an exercise routine. The infrared provides so many other benefits than traditional exercise does to people. I can't wait to help everyone in my community reap the benefits of it.
What goals do you plan to accomplish in your first year as a HOTWORX franchisee?
Shoot, my goal is to be top 10 in the country at least in my first year. I'm ready to rock this!
How will HOTWORX help you achieve your personal and professional goals?
Personally, It'll keep me accountable to my own fitness/health goals. I am hoping it will be a lot less stress on me as well because nursing has burnt me out the last two years. Professionally, I think I'll grow in so many different ways. This is going to be a huge learning curve, as far as learning the financial side of things, but I'm super excited to tackle it all. I think it'll shape me into an even more well rounded person, and of course help me achieve more of my financial goals!
