Harish Babla Speaks about Franchising Healthy Trends

Now more than ever, health has taken a front seat all over the world. Everyone from young to old, are encouraged to build their immunity and keep fit. Fresh juices are considered one of the top ways to stay hydrated and healthy. Rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, fresh juice can instantly boost your immunity and help you build strength. In this interview, Harish Babla speaks about franchising healthy trends like Pure Nectar cold-pressed fresh juice and how it is taking over a prime spot globally.

Pure Nectar a Singapore based company responsible for growing the Pure Nectar Juice brand globally. Pure Nectar currently has operations in Philippines, Brunei and Singapore.

Harish Babla is a 4th generation successful entrepreneur, a business visionary and leader, a growth strategist. He is the CEO of Pure Nectar Global.

1. How did you enter in the franchise business?

I started as a franchisee of a wholesale printing company in the US in 1984. This brand, American Wholesale Thermographers, was part of a large company with several printing brands totally 1,500 + outlets world-wide.

I was their largest franchisee and went on to be on the Board of Director for the company for many years.

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

The concept was created in the Philippines by Dr. Alan Escalona and later developed with his daughter Arielle.

I got involved at an early stage for the Global Expansion. My Company, Global Franchise Masters Pte Ltd, is headquartered in Singapore and we are responsible for the Pure Nectar Brand outside of the Philippines.

The need for healthy products is growing and the Covid virus actually accelerated the need for more healthy product businesses.

3. What inspired the brand name?

The company started in the Philippines as Fruit Magic. With the transition from traditional juicing to cold-pressed juices, the need to have a brand name that reflected the high quality of the juice was required. Pure Nectar fits the requirements extremely well. The Juice is totally pure-no preservatives, no additives and no added sugars. Once you try the juice, it will find it to be as delicious as Nectar-totally healthy and totally delicious.

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

The logo is a classic-it reflects the name perfectly.

A simple leaf over the name-flying beautifully like a flag.

5.What makes your brand different from your competitors?

While we have many small local competitors, there is no global franchise company offering a Cold-Pressed juice franchise.
1. We have the largest selection of products available (today 70+) so our franchisees can select products to offer based on local market tastes as well as seasonality of raw materials.
2. We have developed specialized refrigerators that keep our products fresh for 14 days.
3. We have a simple business model for market entry-a franchisee just has to open a juicery to make the juice and two retail Juice Bars.

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

This is the most important question that has to be considered by both the franchiser and the potential franchisee. A good business concept requires a good franchisee for success.
We are looking for people who
1. Believe in a healthy lifestyle
2. Have a positive attitude
3. Willing to follow our system
4. Committed to sales and marketing activities
5. Can manage people well

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

Challenges in business-that is life. You must keep faith in God, in yourself and believe in your brand. If you have done everything with excellence you will also find solutions that are excellent. I feel that you cannot overthink situations, challenges generally are simple we overcomplicate them by attaching other dimensions to them, such as what other will think and do. You can only control what you can do-do it without emotion and ego.

7.1. What is your best achievement?

I have been blessed with a great career in franchising. I had a great mentor, Bud Hadfield, who had started Kwik Kopy Printing and truly, everything I know about franchising came because of him.

The best achievements are those when you see a franchisee achieve success far greater than they ever expected-that feeling is amazing.

8. How does your business day start?

My day starts early at 5:30AM. The 1st couple of hours are for myself to have a cup of coffee, read and plan the day.

I usually start work by 7:30AM and end around 6PM

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

Sharing my experiences with others and helping people succeed. I do this via keynote talks and workshops for franchisers. This is satisfying.

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

We want to see Pure Nectar in 25 countries around the world, positively impacting the lives of millions with our healthy products.

While positively impacting customers, we also want to impact the lives of entrepreneurs who join with us on the Pure Nectar journey.

11. Any tip for the reader who wants to be in franchisee business?

If you want to be successful in franchising, then first and foremost you must believe in the brand and trust the brand. Trust requires you to follow the plan and the systems laid out by the franchiser. Listen to the franchiser and seek their advice, this is why you have joined a franchise. Do not try to change the business, it is not yours to change.

In operating the business, take care of your employees, your customers as valuable assets to be protected and nurtured. Always keep an eye on the key metrics of the business so you have a strong pulse.

Business is all about people, pay attention to people.

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