Why did you choose Vivafit franchising and not others from the same business area?
Easy.
1) For emotional reasons. It was my first job, for which I fell in love and always felt a strong belonging.
2) For strategic reasons. Because it is undoubtedly the strongest brand on the market.
3) For reasons of opportunity. This was the business that came to me as a good opportunity.
What kind of support do you receive from the franchisor concerning the training, marketing, logistics, advertising, etc.?
There is undoubtedly constant support from the franchisor to each franchisee. Starting with marketing: All campaigns of the year, parts and national marketing plan are delivered to us in due time; it is up to each center to do its local marketing, plan with your team how to apply the plans and campaigns provided by the franchisor and evaluate the effect of each action on your center.
Regarding training: currently we are contemplated by excellent training opportunities promoted by the franchisor. From technical trainings (personal trainer, group classes, and others) to sales training, operations, etc. It is also important to mention that 2 times a year there is a visit from an element of the franchisor to the center which is always very useful. Every year there is the Vivafit moment par excellence: The international convention, in which all teams from Portugal and international participate and makes the training weekend more productive but also fun of the year.
All doubts, needs or supports that I need while franchising I am always at the distance of a phone call, email or ticket to see it solved or supported which becomes highly comfortable and justifies at all the belonging to the network. Knowing that I am not completely alone in the macro management of my business and that I will have the franchisor's support whenever I need to leave me more available to focus my attention on the growth of my business.
Your expectations have been met?
When I got the deal, I knew I was going to have a long, arduous journey ahead of me. The advantage of being in this business (as an employee in the first instance) for a long time was to know exactly the evolution he had almost since its inception. Knowing that in 2011, when the country sank in a deep crisis, there was a decline of approximately 50% in business volume added caution to the creation of expectations. I got it in 2013 and we were still in the midst of many political, economic and social difficulties. Many changes had to be made, less consensual decisions had to be made and he knew he would have to set goals in stages. If my goals for the business have already been achieved? Not yet. If the intermediate stages have been reached: Yes, no doubt. We grew more than I initially predicted for 2 years.
What is your overall opinion about the brand?
I still like to belong to this brand after 8 years. I think that, like all the great brands, it has gone through very strong moments, of exponential growth and with great importance in the market and also went through moments of discovery and reunion with itself.
Still, we have never lost the focus of looking for our space in the market, always seeking the forefront of fitness trends.
The fact that our priority has never changed is what fascinates me most: the genuine interest of all Vivafit team members in helping Portuguese women to achieve results with physical exercise and healthy eating.