iQS has Made it Possible for Me to Make a Difference in More than one Person’s Life
Owning IQS Durban North allowed Monica the flexibility when she needed it the most. “Where I have been able to have a positive influence on a customer, the reward cannot be measured,” says Monica. For unfortunate personal reasons Monica is saddened to have to sell IQS Durban North and is looking for a buyer. For more information on Monica’s sale of the IQS in Durban North, please click here,,,
Name: Monica Komal
Location: Durban North
Franchise: I Quit Smoking Durban North (IQSSA)
Why did you go down the franchise route? And why did you choose your franchise?
I chose to go down the franchising industry due to the on-going support and the growth that is associated with franchising. I also needed a practise that would offer me flexible hours and the ability to work at my pace with some of the personal challenges I was facing. I chose the IQS franchise as I have a personal interest in alternate healing, health and wellness.
What did you do before taking up a franchise?
I was a full time corporate worker in Gauteng and had to relocate down to KZN due to personal family commitments.
How did you raise the finance?
Loan
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
Full training and on-boarding was provided by the master franchisor. The training was practical, simple and effective and gave me the ability to get started immediately after certification. Once the business was fully operational, support was always provided, from the master franchisors.
What is a typical day for you as a franchisee?
Answering enquiries, follow-up treatments or new bookings and telephonic or email support is the order of the day. Some days are busier than others. I schedule according to my commitments as I am also a full-time mum as well.
What challenges have you faced?
Visibility is a major challenge for my business. My centre is home-based and therefore I am not at all visible. I am not ideally located in the hub of the exclusive North of Durban region, where this type business would thrive.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
Yes. It gave me the flexibility when I needed it the most. Where I have been able to have a positive influence on a customer, the reward cannot be measured. It is said that our purpose is to help others and if we have made a difference to just one person in a positive way, our purpose has been served. IQS has been able to help many smokers become non-smokers.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?
Get as much information as possible about the franchise network they are looking at investing into. History and reputation of the network is important. The product offering is critical. An underlying interest or passion for the industry must exist, I believe.
What are your plans for the future?
Unfortunately my family commitments have changed due to sad events that took place from the third quarter of 2013 and my kids and I are forced to relocate back to Gauteng to join my husband who currently works in a Johannesburg based company. This recent set of events has led to the need to sell IQS Durban North.
Would you do it again?
Yes, it will depend on the circumstances again as I believe one chooses franchising as a route to suit a particular preference or interest.
For more information on Monica’s sale of the IQS in Durban North, please click here,,,
