MANILA, Philippines - Most entrepreneurs shun franchises because they think that franchise fees are way too high for their budgets. With some multinationals charging as much as P25 million for a franchise, it is easy to understand why entrepreneurs are hesitant to go the franchising route. Besides, how many entrepreneurs actually have that kind of money to invest in a franchise?
Not all franchises, however, would cost an arm and a leg. There are a new breed of Filipino franchises that offer a package of business systems, support and the promise of growth. For a fraction of the franchise fees that multinationals command, these Filipino franchisers are able to help entrepreneurs start up their businesses and go through their day-to-day operations offering what the big franchisors cannot — a personalized approach and understanding that comes from shared experiences. These are the franchises for the entrepreneurs among the masa, the common folk. These franchisors are able to parlay being small into an advantage for their franchisees and their clients.
Big Apple Express Spa is one of those that have proven that smaller companies are more flexible and better able to respond to the needs of their franchisees. The company started in 2005 with the masa in mind. Its owners wanted to create a spa for the mainstream market, knowing that the need for relaxation is universal and cuts across all income brackets. The concept of Big Apple was one that offered the essentials of a good spa: cleanliness, competent staff, and privacy. To keep its prices low, it chose to forego facilities that the more expensive spas have like the sauna, shower, and steam room. However, it maintained all the essential elements of a spa.
The owners did a study and found out that most spa-goers only availed themselves of the massage but skipped the other amenities. However, Big Apple Express Spa prides itself in offering clean, private rooms and very good services. In other spas, customers have to pay extra for a private room, whereas in Big Apple, every customer has his own.
Big Apple also believes in helping people by giving them jobs that do not require a college degree. It hires people based on attitude. Even if they don’t know how to give a massage, they are put into training; in two weeks time, they are ready to offer services.
Because its systems are simple and developed internally, it is able to minimize the fees that it charges clients. In the same way, it does not charge franchisees so much — all the while offering the personal touch that is always valuable. Big Apple Express believes that the franchisees should be able to realize good profits from their businesses so that they could help out others. It would rather let them spread the sunshine rather than take the money for ourselves.
Just the same, Big Apple Express makes sure that it is there to provide franchisees with the support they need. This is the beauty of starting out as a small, homegrown business. The personal touch never fades. Franchisees get the helping hand that they need. This, in essence, is what Filipino entrepreneurship truly means — being there when you are needed.