A Recipe for Success with ActionCOACH UK

Making up for lost time, Tony Pruitt decided to launch his franchise business and getting his family involved too was the icing on his cake!

For three decades, Tony Prueitt spent his career in the corporate world, working his way through 13 different roles across a variety of departments. Although it provided him with great satisfaction, Tony couldn’t help but wonder what other opportunities were available. This case study looks into Tony's remarkable journey from the structured world of corporate life to the exhilarating path of a business owner. 

In June 2020, Tony launched his ActionCOACH franchise in Derby, which gave him even more food for thought than he initially anticipated. 

“I’d always had the ambition to run my own business, but I just needed the inspiration and motivation to make it happen. I’d toyed with the idea of starting something from scratch, but I had been exposed to franchising during my corporate career, so I completely understood the logistics and how it gives people a better chance of success.” 

Near the end of his corporate career, Tony’s focus shifted towards business transformation. He worked with decision-makers to create a clear vision moving forward, re-positioning a distribution-based business into a franchise model, thus giving him knowledge of the franchising industry. During that time, he came across ActionCOACH, and they were a name that stuck in his mind up until the moment he had the chance to change the course of his career. 

“Very quickly, it became clear that franchising would be the route to take. I knew from the get-go that I would like to be hands-on with the business and ActionCOACH had all the best ingredients!”

Preparation is Key

Tony conducted his due diligence, which involved speaking to existing franchise partners about the opportunity. It wasn’t long before he had made up his mind to invest in ActionCOACH. He signed onto the training programme in June 2020 to get started with his new venture. 

“The training was great; however, I tend to learn better by doing, and putting the things from the training into practice. 

“After graduating from ActionCOACH University, I was keen to get myself out there and share the news of my business launch. From our Burton based office, I reached out to my existing circles of influence to identify local business owners requiring support, especially as we were still amid the pandemic at that point. 

“From the beginning, the business has grown naturally from referrals, and it’s how I imagine our growth to happen in the near future. I’m focused on bringing in clients when it feels like the right time, to ensure we continually deliver our Great to Work With business promise.” 

Following the Recipe 

To help with the running of his coaching firm, Tony enlisted the help of both his wife and daughter, Vanessa and Francesca. He understands the importance of the first couple of years within a new business, and wanted to bring his family in to get involved with making it as smooth as possible. Whilst Vanessa works on attracting potential clients on a part-time basis, Fran focuses on client relations alongside running their social media accounts. Together, they have helped to generate a healthy monthly client income in excess £20,000 per month.   

“We’ve over-achieved compared to our original business plan. We’re now transitioning into the next stage of that, looking at what that means for the business and how we can sustain momentum and drive our growth. It’s all about refining the process, getting to grips with what works and moving forward strategically to ensure we provide a gold-star service for every client, without compromise. 

 “What makes it so manageable is the support I receive from the UK team, specifically from my Master Coach, who has gone above and beyond to give us the best launch possible. I’ve learnt more in the first year with ActionCOACH than I did in the final years of my corporate career – I’m constantly absorbing information whether it’s through reading books or viewing webinars with world-class thought leaders. The abundance is clear within the network, and it’s a privilege to be able to impart that wisdom to my clients.” 

The Icing on the Cake

With the foundations set, Tony is ready for the next phase. Using the ingredients he has been given, he’s able to create a business that not only supports him financially but personally, too. It’s a far cry from his lifestyle within his corporate career, giving him much more freedom to enjoy the things he loves. 

“Upon initial contact, ActionCOACH doesn’t present itself as a lifestyle franchise, yet I have the opportunity to make the business work with all aspects of my life. To have this sense of freedom is great compared to what I’ve been used to before.” 

You Can Have Your Cake AND Eat it!

Tony Prueitt's story is more than a tale of business success. His leap from a secure corporate career to the dynamic world of franchising with ActionCOACH illustrates a path for many who dream of entrepreneurship but hesitate at the starting block. Are you at a career crossroads like Tony once was? Could franchising be your gateway to a fulfilling entrepreneurial journey? Let Tony's story inspire you to explore the possibilities that await beyond the comfort of the known. 

Interested in becoming an Action Coach or exploring our franchise opportunities? Our franchise overview video provides more in-depth details about becoming an Action Coach. Why not reach out to our team directly and let them guide you through our procress. While you're there, don't miss the chance to explore more franchise case studies and insightful articles to learn about the rewarding experiences of our franchise partners