Adding wellness to franchise profits

Acknowledging the increasing need and growing popularity for nutritious and wholesome supplements and rising health consciousness among India, Sanda Wellness, a wellness and lifestyle brand has emerged. In an interview Vijay Dalwani, Director, Sanda Wellness, talks about the brand and its future plans.

Abha Garyali (AG): Share with us the journey of Sanda Wellness so far.

Vijay Dalwani (VD): Sanda Wellness is a wellness product and services Company headquartered in the UK with global operations and managed by a team with rich experience in wellness and lifestyle management. It is a direct- marketing company. The company markets dietary and nutritious supplements in India, directly to the consumers and not in shops. The company was started from scratch in November 2007. However, sales operations were started later in August 2008, after spending time on products and preparing its marketing strategies.

AG: When and what motivated Sanda Wellness to adopt the franchise route for expansion?

VD: The Company opted for the franchise route very recently in 2011. The company’s vision is to create a large number of successful entrepreneurs. Franchising is apt for our brand to increase our presence, reach out to more and more customers, and make our products and services easily accessible. We bring our expertise and our franchises bring their understanding of the locality and their passion to succeed. Also, investors today realise the value in owning a franchisee due to the returns it provide and the opportunity for growth and expansion.

AG: How do you think Sanda Wellness’s franchise model is different from regular franchising?

VD: Sanda Wellness’ franchise model is simple. It assigns a territory to the franchise partners, where in they have to conduct marketing activities and health camps to promote the products. They can also have face-to-face meetings with customers and encourage them to use the nutritious supplements to become healthier. For this franchisees have to submit a minimal franchise fee. We are targeting all major cities to extend our presence further in the country.

AG: What is the success mantra for Sanda Wellness? How is it different from other wellness brands?

VD: Sanda Wellness is a unique business opportunity with many USPs. The company conducts screening and diagnosis at doorstep of the customers. It has a full-fledged support team of doctors, who assist customers in becoming healthier. Moreover, the brand offers many value-addition services for customers through its customer care call centre. The company’s supplements are more affordable for clients than buying from pharmacies etc.

AG: What motivated the brand to foray into India with this concept? Do you think that the brand has a bright future?

VD: Indians are slowly becoming aware of the need of nutritious supplements to become fitter and healthier and since our products are natural, the body is able to absorb them better and retain the nutrients for a longer time thereby ensuring better results. This is one of the reasons that India has become a good market for the brand Sanda Wellness. In the last couple of years more than 1.2 lakh customers have already tried and benefitted from the products.

AG: What are the expectations of the brand in five years from now?

VD: The Company has a planned strategy for the next three years. In 2012 it plans to have at least 200 franchisees across the country. After this goal is achieved, there are plans to add a couple of innovative products to its portfolio and market them through television. By 2014 the brand plans that out of its 200 franchisees, 75 would have opened large-size clinics in various cities.

AG: What, according to you, is the scope for aspiring franchisees in this business? Is the future of this industry bright in the years to come?

VD: The Company is handled by a professional group of people, having an excellent product range backed up by a great business module and process with a multinational brand value having a high market potential that makes it easy for even a layman to enter and adopt the industry. Training and business support is offered to the aspiring franchisees. With a nominal investment the franchisees initially can earn Rs 50,000 to 75,000 in a month. This can go up to more than a lakh in a month, after a year.

AG: How many franchisees do you have presently in India? What are your plans of targeting other cities?

VD: The Company has its presence in 12 cities via franchising and has franchisees in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmadabad, Surat, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Aurangabad. At the moment the company is focusing on Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc.

AG: What are the qualities and qualifications that you seek in your franchisees? How much investment is required by aspiring franchisees?

VD: The company is looking for people who are ‘go-getters’. We offer franchise to people who are ambitious, hardworking and willing to be successful in life. We look for franchisees with basic education, with knowledge to operate computers and upload database easily. The total investment is Rs 7.5 lakh, out of which Rs 2.5 is royalty, with the remaining being refundable.