LEADERSHIP
ROLLING UP HIS SLEEVES New Quest Apartment Hotels franchisee Jason Travers knows a thing or two about the serviced apartment business. By Nick Hall
A
fter five years helping franchisees get started with the booming Aussie business, the aspiring entrepreneur thought it was time he took the leap.
going to be a quick process, but I’m happy I’ve made the move.”
“I’ve run my own business before, and I’ve sort of dabbled between businessownership and corporate life,” Jason says. “Working with Quest as a consultant, I saw the opportunity in Goulburn and decided it was time to take the plunge again.” The former franchise relationship manager was instrumental in assisting Quest franchisees across New South Wales and the ACT. From looking out for their welfare to serving as the link between head office, Jason saw firsthand how successful the Quest model could be. So when the right location came up, he jumped at the chance. “You have to get the right business for you, one that fits within your lifestyle,” he explains. “I was very specific on size and very specific on geographical location. It was literally over a year of due diligence just on assessing the town, determining if there was a real opportunity for growth and success in Goulburn.” It was a massive undertaking, one that risked a stable job and a secure income but, Jason admits, it’s not always easy to shake the entrepreneurial bug. “My immediate boss knew my goals, it’s something I’ve been working towards for around two years, waiting until the right opportunity came along,” he says. “It wasn’t always the goal from the start, but around mid-tenure, it really emerged as a possibility. Quest was very comfortable in helping me in the transition, in a way that didn’t distract me from my current job. I knew it wasn’t
After months of research and inspections, the relationship manager-turned-franchisee secured a site in the regional area of Goulburn, just outside the nation’s capital. And while making the move from highflying Sydney to the much slower paced Goulburn may seem like an odd choice for a new business owner, particularly one so reliant on tourism, Jason knew it was the right decision. Over the last few years, a steady stream of government representatives and business travellers looking for peace of mind outside of the hustle and bustle of parliament have turned to Goulburn. The area may still be considered regional, but Jason believes it’s on the precipice of a great expansion. “The main reason for me making the leap is still the town, and the opportunities that it poses. When you see it all happening in front of you, how you suit the area, it’s a privilege to be part of this little micro-environment.” When it comes to regional towns, gaining the support of the locals is critical. Luckily enough for Jason, however, interest was swelling long before the doors first opened. The new Quest property is housed on the site of the old Catholic college, which once served as a primary attraction. “Unfortunately, the school had fallen into disrepair for about eight years, so there was no hope that it would reopen,” Jason says. “Obviously, a lot of people watched the school site get closed down and moved away, so there was some emotional attachment to the area.”
FEB/APR 2020 | 26 | WWW.FRANCHISEBUSINESS.COM.AU
THE OPPORTUNITY
