Chad and Tufni Msson went to the franchise owners in 1997, built from Little Gym (#198 franchise 500) to seven locations across Maryland and Virginia – and on the way, two Snapology (#394 on the franchise 500). In this spring, he opened a co -branded Little Gym and Snapology center in the city of Lesburg, Virginia, which stopped parents for physical development and steam. In this question, they trace the journey, system and family hand -off behind this development.
Answers of length and explanation. Amendments have been made.
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What caused you to jump from the employee to the owner in 1997?
Chad: We were both teachers with whom a young family was coming out of college and did not really have a real investment – we just worked our way with sweat equity and developed a business plan together. I didn’t come from a business family, but my uncle was a businessman, and I liked his point of view to guide people and make my destiny. The franchising was new to me-I knew McDonald’s, but I didn’t realize how broad the franchise was as a 23-year-old. We just started transferring our mentality from the employee to ownership, with the amazing responsibility that comes with it.
In the early years, what was the most difficult challenge, and how did you treat it?
Chad: At that time, the ownership of a multi -unit outside the big boys was not common. There was not too much strategy for a single unit operator to go to multiple locations. We had a guardian who gave us great contacts with real estate. Local banking contacts were a huge part of our ability to take advantage of our development.
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What changed in Covid 19 in your business?
Chad: With Covade, we had a raw time – we closed a bunch – and my business sentiment was crushed. I told Tufni that I would never open another business. But my soul was recovered, and we opened four in 18 months. We saw the number as a result of Covade that we had never seen. We never had a revenue of $ 1 million before Covade 19. Then, in two years, five out of six places were millions of dollars. Matters are ending now, and the DC economy has its challenges, but we have become stronger. We also learned a lot about dealing with landlords – some worked with us, some did not. It was a curvy letter to learn.
What did you tell you that the time has come to expand and hire administration?
Tiffany: We saw the need locally-our county is the fastest growing in the United States. And there was a great need for a non -competitive gymnastics program.
Chad: We knew that we could not do this for ourselves, nor did we want to work 60-70 hours a week. I was probably one of the first small gym people to go away from daily operations. I am still very dynamic, not just day by day. I was able to do so by focusing closely on the type of quality instructors, directors and managers operating my facilities.
How did the parents respond to the two brands connecting the same roof?
Chad: It has been extraordinary. For parents, it is about ease of bringing more than one place to children. Some children are more athletic, some are more coding or in trunks. The preliminary results are that parents like to do numerous activities under the same roof – it really helps the modern family in their lifestyle.
Tiffany: Snapology goes to Little Gym. Both concepts believe in the same thing – to build trust for children. Even we have both children working – two classes in Little Gym and one class in Snapology – one place.
Your children now help handle the co -branded location. Does it look like?
Chad: They are a new generation of blood, sweat and equity. Their ownership will be based on the success of the location.
Tiffany: We are guiding them as we were patronized. This is probably our favorite place now because we spend time with them. They are both young parents, and we spend most of our time there.
How do you keep the quality in multiple units and brands?
Chad: This is a challenge. I’ve been a “system cow” for 20 years. I’m big into making documentaries. Even in franchising, you still find contradictions. But when the systems are in their place, when matters come out, we can direct things correctly.
What’s the afterwards-more co-branded sites, new markets or pause?
Chad: We will consider some markets in our areas for the next 12 to 18 months for Little Gym. In some current locations, as the space is available, we can talk to landlords about adding snapology. Some other concepts on Undefined The platform is appealing, but I think we’re taking a break to catch our breath.
