Shuven Nagasar and Ashish Ramkisson – Battery Clinic Success Story
Franchisee Name: Shuven Nagasar and Ashish Ramkisson
Franchise Name: Battery Clinic
Location of Franchise: Pinetown
Shuven has held several positions over the years, including being a machine operator, manager, sales representative, a cash in transit crew leader, control room operator and transport manager. He has also run his own company in the cable drum manufacturing. He is confident, hard working, motivated, quality focused and disciplined which are the qualities he has in order to obtain excellent result. Teamwork is a skill that he acquired which is necessary for an organisation to obtain its goals and results. He was looking to join a successful brand, with excellent marketing and brand exposure, thus choosing Battery Clinic as he saw the growth within Kwa-Zulu Natal and with time would open up more stores. He is an excellent business man and is well know in the areas around the Pinetown community.
Pinetown has been with Battery Clinic since 2016. Pinetown was awarded the ‘Franchisee of the Year’ for 2021 and 2022, hopefully they will strive to do the same this year by continuing to meet targets, uplifting the brand, always staying positive and going the extra mile.
Why did you choose your franchise?
Having met Steve Huysamen (the franchisor) and hearing his passion and vision for the automotive sector in South Africa, the decision was clear and easy to make.
What did you do before taking up a franchise?
We have always been entrepreneurs. We owned the Kwa-Zulu Natal rights to the Pandora Jewellery franchises.
How did you raise the finance?
We financed the franchise with a combination of personal finance and a bank loan.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
The training took place at an operating store, which is the best way to receive training.
The ongoing support is great, our franchisor sends out an informative newsletter and schedules regular calls and visits.
What is a typical day for you as franchise?
We don’t sell automotive and renewable products; we give advice, engage and inform. If that ends up in a sale, great, if not, a member of the public now has a piece of specialised knowledge which will hopefully save them money and assist to make an informed decision.
Our typical day is spent engaging with our communities. We come in early to check on the charge state of customers’ batteries, call them to advise and look forward to a day of fitting and servicing batteries.
What challenges have you faced?
Retail is always a challenge. The more customers you have the more chance of variability. I would say that the main challenge is expressing to a customer that a dead car battery is 11 volts. It is a common misconception but a fully charged battery is 12.8 Volts and within 1.5 to 1.8 volts a battery loses 100% of its state of charge.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
Yes, to be a part of a powerhouse brand is the standout difference. Other than our store supplying quality products with great service – we know that our franchisor supports our decisions. This is a rare and admirable position to be in.
What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?
Be prepared to own the business and live it. Many people think that a franchised store is a monetary policy, where you pay a fee and receive a key to a perpetual income. This is not the case, a franchise is an assisted business mode, so work and grow your own market, this will ensure great value for your business.
What are your plans for the future?
To grow our humble store’s market and serviceable area.
Would you do it again?
Yes, we would definitely do it again.
