You never know what the future holds. Kim Crowell knows that firsthand. Kim worked as a software consultant for many years until her health took a dramatic turn in 2016. In 2017, doctors diagnosed her with a rare disease called Portopulmonary Hypertension which involves the liver, lungs, and heart. She walked away from her business to take care of her health. Later, in 2018, she received a life-saving liver transplant. After 2 years of recovery, she wanted to go back to work and do something where she could help people live better lives.
Now, Kim Crowell owns 4 Stretch Zone franchises in the Florida Panhandle and SE Alabama. She opened her first location in her hometown of Dothan, AL in 2021 and continued her streak, with her fourth franchise opening in September 2024.
What made you decide to look into purchasing a franchise?
In 2017, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Portopulmonary Hypertension which involves the liver, lungs, and heart. In 2018, I received a life-saving liver transplant. After 2 years of recovery, I began to get bored and wanted to go back to work and do something where I could help people live better lives.
When researching franchises, what criteria mattered to you most? How did your Stretch Zone meet that criteria?
Initially, I was not looking at franchising. I was planning to open my own Tai Chi & Yoga studio in Dothan. However, while visiting the Atlanta area in 2021, I walked into a Stretch Zone and knew this was something I had to do. I did not know a lot about franchising at the time, but I loved the Stretch Zone culture. So, I took the initiative and submitted an inquiry. The criteria that mattered most to me was being able to help people live their best lives. I saw Stretch Zone as a way to give back with business ownership.
Financing can be an obstacle and/or intimidating factor for aspiring entrepreneurs. How did you find financing options to purchase your franchise? Did you opt for 401K ROBs, SBA Loan, or other options?
My first studio was done with cash. I took a loan against our personal financial accounts.
Which of your prior skills and experiences do you use in operating your business today?
I use my background in business process design every day to create and maintain the most efficient business processes possible. My background in technology helps me continuously improve our daily business processes.
During your research, did you use FBR’s website to compare franchise opportunities? What other resources did you use?
No, I did not simply because Stretch Zone was in a relatively new industry which was very vertical. I did my own research by visiting some Stretch Zone competitors and trying them. I also researched the science behind the brand. The other competitors I tried did not meet the standards in terms of having a solid foundation built around the principles of neuromuscular science. Again, giving back through business ownership was extremely important to me.
When doing your research, which questions did you ask the franchisees?
1) Walk me through a day in the life of owning a Stretch Zone.
2) What sort of support and training does corporate provide?
3) How much upfront investment would be required to get my studio up and running?
Which questions did you ask Stretch Zone?
1) What sort of culture did Stretch Zone have? I’m used to working in a high performing, fun, team-based environment. I would not be happy unless the brand operated the same way.
2) What sort of people did I need to recruit and hire
3) What would be considered a strong monthly gross revenue goal for a studio
4) Approximately, what sort of gross margin could I expect to make
What were your biggest challenges when you first started out and how did you overcome them?
My biggest challenge was hiring. I churned through a lot of people that first year. Going through that and seeing who worked out and who didn’t, I came to realize that the single most important quality in building a team at Stretch Zone is to hire people with an intense desire to help others. I now employ 21 people.
How does Stretch Zone support and encourage your success?
Initially, I think the best support came from the training that was offered for new hires. Over the past four years, I have seen Stretch Zone really mature as a company and put a strong focus on making the franchisee successful. Marketing has probably helped me more than any one group because this was a skillset that I absolutely did not have. They are always willing to help and teach franchisees how to get the most out of our Marketing dollars.
What are you most proud of and why?
Being a transplant survivor has fundamentally changed me as a person. Helping others is vital to my overall happiness and success. My goal is to do something every day that would make my donor proud of me and doing that makes me proud of what I do each day – paying it forward. To be able to give back with business ownership, owning 4 Stretch Zones, makes me so proud.
What advice would you give to potential franchise owners?
Do your research and make sure you are opening a franchise for the right reasons. It has to be a passion and not something that you just do for money.
Want to learn more about franchising a Stretch Zone?
With available markets in most of the U.S., this franchise is on FBR’s top lists for Culture, Recession-Proof, Veterans, and Women. According to FBR’s unbiased data, franchisees are genuinely quite satisfied owning a Stretch Zone. Find out more and see if opening a Stretch Zone could be your next career move.
