Supplementing profits

ith Indians becoming more health conscious, there is an increasing need for nutritious and dietary supplements to remain fit. Seeing the great potential, Sanda Wellness has entered the Indian market. Vijay Dalwani, Director, Sanda Wellness, shares the success and future plans of the brand.

Abha Garyali (AG): Tell us about Sanda Wellness and share its growth and success so far.

Vijay Dalwani (VD): Sanda Wellness is a direct- marketing company. The company markets dietary and nutritious supplements in India, directly to the consumers and not in shops. Consumers can directly buy from the company. The company was started from a scratch in November 2007. However, sales operations were started later in August 2008, after spending time on products and after preparing its marketing strategies.

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

VD: The Company has opted for the franchise route very recently in 2011. The company’s vision is to create a large number of successful entrepreneurs. There are many deserving people in the country who want to do something resourceful and believe in making a name for themselves in business, rather than working under somebody. This motivated the company to turn to franchising. Franchising is the easiest way to find entrepreneurs who being the local person can understand the mindset of customers and handle the business appropriately. Moreover, franchisees have local knowledge and local support and can market the products more easily.

AG: What is the Franchise model of the brand?

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 meeting with customers and encourage them to use the nutritious supplements to become healthier. For this franchisees have to submit a minimal franchise fee.

AG: What is the USP of Sanda Wellness? How is it different from other wellness brands?

VD: Sanda Wellness is a unique business opportunity with many USP’s. The company conducts screening and diagnosis at doorstep of the customers. It has 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. 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, 20,000 customers have already tried and benefitted from the products. This shows that the brand has a bright future ahead in India.

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 our 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: 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. Therefore, there is a huge potential of earning. Hardworking people can earn easily.

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 only, and has franchisees in Mumbai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Surat, Kolkata, Nagpur, and Aurangabad. At the moment the company is focusing on Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc. However, by April-May this year there are plans to enter North India in cities like Chandigarh,Delhi and Haryana.

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’. It needs franchisees with basic education that can operate computers and upload database easily. More than the education, the focus is on a person who has a drive to learn new things with an entrepreneurial mindset. The total investment is Rs 7.5 lakh, out of which Rs 2.5 is royalty, with the remaining being refundable.

AG: Share with us the challenges that can be faced by your franchisees? How can these be overcome?

VD: There are limited challenges, the necessity is to only spread awareness and educate masses about the requirements and benefits of the dietary supplements in today’s time. Targets are easily achievable by the franchisees. Only challenge is the mindset of Indian consumers. People think they do not need any nutritional supplements along with their daily consumption of food as they are fit and fine. To overcome this challenge, the company provides a lot of reading material about the importance of nutrients at the right time.

With Indians becoming more health conscious, there is an increasing need for nutritious and dietary supplements to remain fit. Seeing the great potential, Sanda Wellness has entered the Indian market. Vijay Dalwani, Director, Sanda Wellness, shares the success and future plans of the brand.