"I wish I had Known" - another Curves owner

I heard this again today for perhaps the thousandth time- from another Curves owner who wished she had done more investigating before getting involved with a Curves franchise. She is soon going to be closing her club, but wanted to look into opening a non-franchise club to be able to continue to service her members. When she found out she could buy a PACE circuit for over $10,000.00 less than the Curves’ start-up package- for superior equipment and no franchise fees, she was obviously very happy. But she was also very frustrated with the time, money and hard work wasted on Curves with absolutely no support from the corporate office.

I told her perhaps the best way to look at it was a learning experience; she now knows what does not work and what not to do. She can now expand upon her hard work over the years and reap the profits of truly owning her own business. I also encouraged her to look at the positive things she accomplished; she helped many people make some positive changes in their lives. She perhaps did not have the best product to offer or tools to work with, but she can now expand on what she started.

I have helped hundreds of former Curves club owners, employees or members successfully open their own non-franchise club; if you know of a Curves owner of a club that has recently closed, or soon to be closed, please pass along my contact information.

Not so "Secret" Millionaire

I watched the "Secret Millionaire" segment last night featuring Gary and Diane Heavin. I found the whole thing self-serving and sad; it was more a promotion of "Curves" than anything else. I would have liked to have seen them give some money back to the thousands of Curves owners who lost everything and had to close their clubs.

To see what Curves franchise owners have to say about their generous leader, check out: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/curves-gary-heavin-secret-millionaire/

Will the Curves "Secret Millionaire" help thousands of closed club owners?

Just received this email from Unhappy Franchisee:

"Curves founder Gary Heavin and his wife Diane will soon be featured in an episode of the new “inspirational” ABC series “Secret Millionaire.”
According to the promo, the Heavins will search for "deserving people who need their help" and reward them with "tens of thousands of dollars of their own money."
Unhappy Franchisee asks: Do Curves franchisees perceive Heavin’s Secret Millionaire participation as positive brand exposure that will benefit existing clubs?
Or is it an insult to the thousands of failed or failing Curves franchise owners who are now, themselves, suffering financial hardship?

Feel watch the promo clip and share your view here: http://www.unhappyfranchisee.com/curves-gary-heavin-secret-millionaire/
Gary Heavin on ABC Secret Millionaire: What do CURVES Franchisees Think?"

Good question.