Discover how Spartans Boxing Club was built tough for the fitness industry

It is important to work out in a safe and all inclusive space that welcomes your fitness goals and builds a community. Let us look at how Spartans Boxing Club was formed exactly for the same reasons by Nazar Musa, Founder and CEO. In this interview he talks about building a strong community and how that can help build a stronger franchise model that will eventually grow exponentially.

1. How did you enter the franchise business?

After opening the first branch of Spartans in Joo Chiat it became clear that a small box, community boxing gym was well received and a viable business. We worked with Enterprise Singapore to conduct some market research to see if we could franchise the model and then continued to use their support to trial it in a few locations. We are now in 13 locations in Singapore and our first international one in Dubai.

2. Where and how did the idea of your concept come from?

Having been a member of boxing gyms in various countries and cities around the world I understood what I loved about our sport. I also could see what certain gyms were doing well and where they were not succeeding. I wanted a community focused facility, that was clean and welcoming to all but that also taught authentic boxing and not boxercise. That’s why we opened Joo Chiat and subsequently scaled the business through franchising.

3. What inspired the brand name?

The name of Spartans Boxing Clubs came from the community. Once I had decided to open the gym I started building an online community through Facebook to talk about gym progress before opening. I then ran a competition to name the gym and Spartans was my favorite. From the beginning there was involvement from members and potential future members.

4. What is the story behind the brand’s logo?

Once again – this was designed for us by one of our members. The initial logo was a simple $5 online piece of work. One of the members of the Joo Chiat approached us and offered to design the logo and we of course accepted. It reflects the Spartans spirit and message incredibly well while retaining the warrior image of the original Spartans.

5. What makes your brand different from your competitors?

There are an increasing number of boxing franchises and gyms across the world. However we distinguish ourselves by offering accessibility to our authentic sport for everyone. We are not a loud music, flashing lights boxercise gym and we’re not a traditional down and dirty fight gym. We offer authentic boxing classes to everyone, beginners, ladies, kids, intermediate and even advanced boxers. This helps us create a community in each of our facilities

6. What are the essential qualities that you look for in a franchisee?

We look for individuals who want to run a small business in their area to build a community around boxing. They need to be inclusive, have a passion for health and wellness and be prepared to lean into their new venture. We share the risks with our franchise owners by utilizing a revenue share model instead of monthly fixed fees and so we’re looking for people who are wanting to work with us to grow their business.

7. How long does it take, on average, for your franchisee to realize their investment?

We aim to have a franchise operationally profitable within the first month of opening the facility and return their initial investment within the first 18 months of the franchise tenure.

8. What was the major challenge you faced in your career and how did you overcome it?

I realized relatively early in my career that a corporate future was not for me. Transitioning from what is expected of most sons of doctors post university to a life of entrepreneurship was a real challenge. I failed numerous times before being successful in a particular venture and those years were quite difficult.

8.1 What is your best achievement?

Transitioning a passion of mine, boxing, into a business has to be one of the greatest achievements. I started boxing because I was grossly overweight and became a diabetic. I needed to lose 40kg or risk dying. Boxing helped me do that and to be able to transition this highly emotional and passionate experience into a business is noteworthy.

9. How does your business day start?

I wake up very early, around 5.30, every day and spend 30 minutes by myself planning my day, reading, watching TV, drinking coffee or just getting a little peace before the day starts. I find family life and the numerous businesses I run noisy and so 30 minutes alone at the beginning of every day is a ritual that helps me.

10. What was your best moment throughout your franchise career?

Watching one of our female coaches, Efashs Kamurudin, beat the Australian national champion in Sydney when absolutely no one expected it to happen is one, when our MD, Russ Harrison told me that he’d achieved his lifetime dream by me asking him to head up Spartans is another and then hearing the stories of people who’s lives have been changed by our sport and our gyms will always be very special.

11. Where do you see your brand in the next 5 years?

Global domination! Seriously I want to see 300 gyms in various parts of the world helping people and integrating into communities.

12. Any tips you want to impart to our readers who want to be in the franchise industry?

The key is to have something to offer potential franchisees and have a business model that allows them to succeed. Take all the advice that people offer you and enjoy the ride.

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