By Andy White, CEO Athlete Focused 

 

This July, the Athlete Focused team embarked on something we’ve never done before, bringing every franchisee in our network together, in one room, for two full days. Franchisees travelled in from London, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Abu Dhabi to spend the 28th and 29th at Norton House Hotel. Having everyone together created clarity that this team few days was the start of a tradition, something we want to protect as we grow.

Why get everyone in a room

Running a franchise network means people are often doing brilliant work in their own areas but rarely get the chance to compare notes with those who truly understand the challenges and opportunities of the role: fellow franchisees.

That is exactly what these two days provided. Bringing everyone together helped us develop a shared way of talking about our work, exchange practical ideas that are delivering results on the ground, and take inspiration from the successes and innovations happening across the network.

For a first event of its kind, the value was clear. It reinforced just how important it is to keep creating opportunities for franchisees to connect, learn from one another and share what works.

The bit that mattered most: Action Time

If there’s one thing we’ll definitely carry into next year’s programme, it’s Action Time. We deliberately set aside space for networking, sharing ideas and getting real work done, but the biggest benefit came from having time to immediately put new learning into practice. Instead of leaving with a notebook full of ideas that might never get revisited, people could start applying them there and then. It quickly became one of the most valuable parts of the two days and is now a permanent feature of the programme.

Padel courts and shared wins

While the presentations and workshops were valuable, some of the strongest relationships were built away from the meeting room. Getting out to play padel together created a relaxed environment where conversations flowed naturally and people could connect on a personal level, not just as franchisees.

For me, that’s what these two days were truly about. Our franchise network is more than a group of businesses operating under the same brand. It’s a community of people who understand each other’s challenges, celebrate each other’s achievements and are there to offer support when things don’t go to plan. Those relationships sit at the heart of our culture and reflect the values we want to protect as we continue to grow.

Thinking differently about sleep

Another portion of the day that resonated with people was a specialist session on sleep. It’s something we talk to our clients about all the time, but hearing it through the lens of a sleep researcher was a timely reminder of just how important it is for us as well.

As business owners, many of us are juggling teams, clients and family life, so it’s easy to let the basics slip when things get busy. The session reinforced something we already know but don’t always prioritise: looking after our own health and recovery is just as important as helping our clients look after theirs. In many ways, it was a reminder to practise what we preach.

A network that’s grown further than we expected

Having franchisees join us from London, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Abu Dhabi spoke volumes about how far the business has come. What began as a small, local idea has grown into a genuinely international network. Bringing everyone together was a powerful reminder of the progress we’ve made, and of the opportunity that still lies ahead.

Want to be part of it?

If reading about our team and the community we’ve built has sparked your interest, there may be a place for you in the network. Built on shared learning, genuine support and strong relationships, our franchise model is designed to help people succeed together. Get in touch to learn more about becoming a franchisee and joining our growing team.