Shaping success franchise way

Leena Mogre can surely be addressed as India’s first female personal fitness expert, who started off as an aerobics instructor but later on formulated and launched India’s First Training Academy, L M The Fitness Academy in 1994. She further started Leena Mogre’s Fitness in 2006. In an interview Leena Mogre, Founder, Leena Mogre’s Fitness, talks about her brands future in franchising.

Abha Garyali (AG): Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey from Leena Mogre to Leena Mogre’s fitness?

Leena Mogre (LM): My venture has grown from just a training institute for personal trainers to a chain of fitness centres in Mumbai and in other parts of India. L M The Fitness Academy, is the first venture I launched in 1994. Therefore, I was the pioneer in the business of fitness training. I still run the academy out of my own centre at Khar. Later in 2006, I launched Leena Mogre’s Fitness, a chain of specialised fitness centres. Now, the flagship company is Leena Mogre’s Fitness. We have our centres in Shivajipark, Bengaluru, Thane, Vashi and Chandigarh.

AG: What motivated you to opt for the franchise route for Leena Mogre’s Fitness?

LM: We have opted for the franchise route as investment and control are required for the area along with proper knowledge of population in the surroundings, which franchisees have as they are local people.

AG: What is the success mantra for the brand? In what ways is it different from other fitness centres in India?

LM: Our success mantra is good and consistent service. We have very specialised training program, based on our client’s current fitness levels. Other brands may or may not have such specialised services but we genuinely believe on giving our best to our clients.

AG: What are the new initiatives for success that the company has taken in the present year?

LM: We have taken many initiatives but the primary development is that we will be moving to a new permanent location. This new place belongs to the company as we feel that it’s better to be at our own place rather than being in leased premises.

AG: How many franchise outlets does the brand presently have?

LM: We currently have three functional outlets.

AG: Where do you see the brand in five years time? What are your plans till the end of 2012?

LM: In five years time we are looking at launching anywhere between 40 to 50 centres all across India. In the present year, 2012 we should be opening at least two to three new branches.

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

LM: As it is well-known and agreed that the fitness industry is growing rapidly and also offers tremendous scope and potential in the years to come, the brand is sure to reach new heights in the near future. Our future is very bright.

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

LM: There are no qualifications as such to become a fitness entrepreneur. We are just in search of entrepreneurs who have lot of passion for fitness and business as well. Our investment can range anywhere between Rs 1.5 crore to 2.5 crore.