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A WHIRLWIND JOURNEY

Paul Woosnam has had quite the journey to become a Snap-on Franchise Owner in New Zealand

It takes guts to pack your belongings in a container and tell your dad, “I’ll let you know where to send it.” But that’s just what Snap-on Regional Franchisee of the Year for 2022, Paul Woosnam, did with his partner when they set off across the world well over a decade ago. Paul and his partner were originally based in the UK working in various roles before realising the pace was getting too much. A decision was made to take a break for a year, and they ended up in Australia. This is when a chance conversation led him to Snap-on and eventually to Christchurch in New Zealand. After checking out the Snap-on Sydney office and then heading over to New Zealand, starting his own Snap-on franchise happened fairly quickly for Paul. “There was a lot of hands-on teaching, which when you’re green, was brilliant. After ten days of training in the US, I literally landed back home, picked my truck up, and the next day was on the road, with support directly by my side for three weeks in the truck. It was great. The onboarding process was slick,” Paul said. Without a background in the auto industry – Paul’s previous life in the UK was across retail – Paul’s journey is testament to how a Snap-on franchise can be a career change and complements various industry backgrounds. For Paul, the business skills he developed over many years in the UK came to the fore when running his own business. “The difference with Snap-on compared to starting a business from scratch is that solid foundation. If you set up your own business, you have to do everything: branding, logos, websites, business plans, you name it. But with Snap-on as a franchisee, you have that ready for you and everyone is there to support you 100 percent. There isn’t a day that goes by where I’m not touching base with someone in the network or with support staff,” Paul said. Paul saw quick success as Rookie Franchisee of the Year and now Regional Franchisee of the Year. Reflecting on his two awards, he says they are due to his immediate dedication to hard work when joining as a franchisee, as well as how useful his prior experience came to be running the business. A day in the life

“My week kicks off on a Sunday night. I get my prelist ready for Monday so I can just get up and go the next day. Most of my days, I’m out of the house before seven and they are relatively long days. My deliveries come Friday night and so I sort that out on the weekend. The more turnover there is, the bigger the volume of off-truck work,” Paul said. Paul is up there as one of Snap-on’s most experienced franchisees in New Zealand. Not mincing his words, he responds instantly when asked what he thinks is key to succeeding as a franchisee with the brand. “Easy. Do what you say you’re going to do. If you say you’re going to ring someone back, ring them. If you say you’re going to deliver, then deliver. The Snap-on program is solid and it gives you the chance to create relationships and be personable. Here in New Zealand, we don’t have that level of competition like elsewhere, but our customers still have options. Being true to your word and paying attention to your client is key to keeping and building your business,” Paul said. Snap-on welcomes enquiries from those interested in becoming a Snap-on franchisee and encourages those from diverse backgrounds to get in touch. For more information, visit www.snapontools.com.au

REPCO DRIVES VALUE IN PALMERSTON

Repco is proud to open the doors at their new store in Palmerston, NT

Motorists and car enthusiasts in search of topof-the-line auto parts and accessories now have access to an impressive selection at Repco’s newest store in Palmerston, Northern Territory. Conveniently located on Stuart Highway, the brand-new location features an extended range of car care products, engine oil and tools, as well as a large 4WD, caravan and camping range, making it Repco’s largest store in Darwin. Repco Palmerston’s store manager, Nick Morrow, reports that since the store opened in November 2021, it has featured an exciting, diverse assortment of deals alongside everyday staple products. The frequent rotation of special offers has generated buzz in the community, says Nick, and continues to encourage regular in-store shopping from both motor heads and novice drivers. The store itself has been expertly designed for ease of navigation and boasts a fresh, modern look. Popular products such as engine oil, throttle controllers, dash cams and battery chargers have been bestsellers and customers continue to be impressed by the store’s mezzanine floor, which allows for a broader selection of products from the most trusted automotive and tool brands such as Castrol, Penrite, GME, Bowden’s Own, Milwaukee and more. Repco says the Palmerston store’s growing success is largely attributed to its skilled sales team. Hailing from a variety of stores in the wider Darwin region, the Repco Palmerston crew is backed by a combined 100 years of Repco experience, demonstrating passion and knowledge in all things automotive and providing customers with top quality advice, says Repco. Repco states that whatever your level of expertise, the Palmerston crew is well equipped to support your vehicle needs, boasting a leading range of service parts. From brake pads and filters, alternators and starter motors, to drive belts and suspension, Repco says its Palmerston store is your one stop shop to keep your car in optimal condition and fuel your passion. Repco is also pleased to make available special offers, announcements, and promotions on its social platforms and invites you to follow its pages or sign up to its Ignition Loyalty Program. For more information, visit www.repco.com.au