Ep28 Ken Challis, Coochie Hydrogreen, Albury-Wodonga - franchise owner journey
Episode description
Franchise owner journey - After spending 25+ years in food distribution and supermarket logistics, Ken channeled his passion for horticulture and the desire for a career change into a business of his own.
But, owning his own business wasn't necessarily in the plan.
The plan was to transition from supermarket logistics with a Certificate in Horticulture, and into the council parks and gardens division.
Disconsolate about the fact he couldn't secure a job with the qualification after 4 years of study, was thinking his age at 59 was becoming a problem.
A chance conversation with his brother who had just purchased a Coochie Hydrogreen franchise after being a customer, and everything seemed to just align very quickly for Ken from that moment onwards.
Now with 400 or so clients in his region, and a target for 500 in the near future, Ken is looking forward to more growth.
0:26 What Coochie Hydrogreen does
1:13 Career prior in food service for an extended period distributing to restaurants, hotels and the like.
2:27 Into a large Woolworths logistics distribution facility with night shifts.
3:44 How they supplied 50+ supermarkets across the region and what amazed Ken about the actual cost of delivery per carton and the size of the operation.
5:28 A passion for horticulture and after 13 years looking for something else that he had a passion for.
6:35 Was told that he needed a qualification in Horticulture to get a job with the Council, enrolling in a Certificate 3 in Horticulture with a goal to get onto parks and gardens with the Council while still working for Woolworths.
8:08 Why the passion for horticulture - it came from mum.
8:59 Couldn't get a job with council after getting the qualification, and felt at 59 his age was possibly a problem.
9:36 Chance conversation and found Coochie as an option from his brother who had just bought a franchise.
11:14 Launching Coochie in his region and feedback from current owners.
12:17 The help from Coochie and growing the business.
13:34 Progress of growth in the region starting from zero clients.
15:06 Ken's initial doubts and continued drive to grow the business from the start with simple local area marketing strategies.
16:39 How he grows the business with face-to-face marketing and a focus initially on the bowls club for clients.
18:16 Other local marketing activities in the are with kids rugby league, beer coasters in pubs and more.
19:08 The Coochie advantage of comparing the lawn next door after the lawn care program is implemented.
19:49 What he loves about the business now 5 years down the track and goal for the future.
21:30 Bringing another staff member on and how the business operates.
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