Steve Simmonds, Director of SportsCool Brighton describes his first year of being a franchise partner in such a rewarding sector.

My First 3 months…

Training:

“I found the initial training extremely extensive. From the phone calls, meetings and onboarding process, to the first stages of meeting the SportsCool team at the seminar and learning all the key elements of the business with the management team from then on. I think knowing how confident I am now without needing to ask for too much help speaks volumes to the SportsCool team and their initial training with me. The training was informative, practical and very hands on.”

Sales Support:

“The first 3 months of my time at SportsCool, looking back now seems to be a whirlwind of both excitement and nerves. I feel that sales really spearheaded a successful first 3 months for me and how I felt being a director of a business like SportsCool. Naturally, there are nerves when you start a business, things like a timeline of money coming in, and forecasting what could be, but the successful sales at the start of my SportsCool journey really put my initial trepidations at ease.

I was successful in gaining contracts at 6 schools, which worked out to be around 13 or 14 ‘products’ if I remember correctly, which I couldn’t have done without the ongoing and constant support from the team. I never felt like there was something I couldn’t do, as their positivity and cheering on the initial successes I truly believe is what has enabled me to continue adding to the contracts I have since gained since those very early few months.”

Months 4-6…

Securing Contracts:

“At month 6 I had secured around 12 schools, so almost double what I had in month 3. In regards to products, this amounted to around 20. Within this, I now also have holiday club contracts which are a very valuable part of running your SportsCool franchise.”

Head Office Support:

“As a director, from the initial training as well as throughout, right up to where I am now, I have never felt unsupported or like I can’t ask for extra help if needed, or check-in with any of the team about any concerns, advice or general words of encouragement I may need from time to time. I also really value the access to qualifications for my coaching team that the management team at head office provide! My coaches still talk about how valuable this was to this day.”

Months 7-9…

On-going Support:

“Where I am with the business now speaks volumes about the level of support I still get to this day. Before starting this meeting, I had some concerns over what my gut was saying and needed to weigh up the pros and cons of an area within the business that I have not yet entered into but have thought about for some time. Chatting about this today has really spurred me on and given me the confidence to try and open up some more doors for myself and my staff and the level of provisions SportsCool, Brighton can deliver!

Speaking more generally, I know that, if I needed to, I could speak to one of the SportsCool team or at least arrange help/ a meeting whenever I needed to and the appropriate person in the team would take the time to speak to me. It’s always nice to know that people are on the other side of the phone or email. I still think back to the meeting had with another franchise opportunity before I met the directors at SportsCool, and I would be confident in saying that I don’t believe I would have been offered the same level of support from another company as I have had from this business.”

End of my first year…

Steve’s Reflection on his First Year with SportsCool:

“There is a real sense of ‘family’ and community at SportsCool. There is so much value to the initial and ongoing training, but when you join SportsCool you enter into a group of other directors that, although we have the same goal of succeeding and really pushing the brand as individuals, it feels like a team effort, and I am constantly supported by the other franchisees across the country too. The network created at SportsCool has really helped me get to where I am today with SportsCool, Brighton. Along the way, there will be some setbacks, and you will hear some ‘no’s’ - for example, you may lose a school for absolutely no reason, or if they have just gone a different way - although this is frustrating and a little upsetting sometimes, there are potential setbacks in any business, but after the extensive training with SportsCool, I have always felt well equipped to know how to deal with this, and use this as a stepping stone to encourage and motivate a boost in more sales.”

“When I first started I didn't know what to expect in the sense of, I had always been in teaching in schools, business wise, even though I was trained and shown everything, there are things I am still learning and will continue to learn. Coming from Dubai, I had a transition period to get my head around the ‘nitty gritty’ business stuff. But in terms of everything I was told would happen at the start; It did happen. For example, the journey of contracts multiplying and a phrase that still resonates with me now “small seeds grow into big trees”. If you put all the training and expertise that the SportsCool team have provided you with like I feel I have done, you will really see this resonate in the business.”