When an Employee Invests in the Franchise Opportunity...

Could the ActionCOACH sales guru make a success of his own ActionCOACH firm?

Much like the lettering that runs through the centre of a traditional stick of rock, Jon Asquith's dedication to Sheffield is integral to his character. Therefore, it was entirely expected that when he decided to launch his ActionCOACH franchise, his primary focus would be on nurturing the business community within his beloved city. However, the question constantly at the back of his mind was, could he successfully take the leap from being an ActionCOACH employee – their star sales guru at the head office no less – to a franchise partner?

Jon's link with ActionCOACH began in 2005, working in sales roles for a franchise partner. In 2013, Jon reconnected with the world’s no.1 business coaching franchise to lead the team at ActionCOACH’s Client Generation Centre in Sheffield and subsequently became the Sales Director for the UK Support Office in 2016. Three years after regularly hosting Sales Guru sessions for the network, Jon felt inspired by their experiences, which motivated him to achieve even more. With this enthusiasm, he took the ultimate step of becoming an ActionCOACH franchise partner. 

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

With the official launch of ActionCOACH Sheffield in January 2020, Jon faced an unexpected adversary. 

“I was sat with my colleague Ed at my dining table because the office was still a week away from being ready to move in – the imposter syndrome hit. It was midday and we’d been cold calling all morning to fill an event at the end of the month – just like I’d taught all the franchise partners to do on their first day at ActionCOACH University. Ed and I looked at each other with a dawning realisation that we’d put ourselves here, had to support our families with a successful business AND had to prove to the rest of ActionCOACH that we could walk the walk and talk the talk! And the only way to do that was to be completely congruent with everything I’d taught and preached for the last seven years.”

Jon and Ed succeeded in their first joint endeavour for ActionCOACH Sheffield by drawing 100 attendees to that opening event, and by March 2020, they had reached a significant milestone - with a monthly client income of £20,000... and then the government locked the country down.

Growth Through Adversity

By tackling the trial of the pandemic head-on, Jon’s coaching firm not only had a positive impact on local businesses but also brought growth for ActionCOACH Sheffield. This success encouraged him to broaden his influence by acquiring a second territory in Rugby in April 2021. For the financial year 2021/22, they not only achieved their ambitious targets but surpassed them, recording a turnover of £752,000 - a significant increase from the previous year's £550,000.

Yet, for Jon, it's not solely about business. He strongly believes in giving back to the community by organising fundraisers and donations for charities such as Mission Christmas. Also, since launching ActionCOACH Sheffield, Jon has found a balance that allows him to dedicate time to both his professional and personal life. His New Year’s Eve tradition of “dream building” with his wife and children has been rewarded with a family dog and technology-free Friday nights at home!

In just three years, his journey with ActionCOACH Sheffield has become a remarkable story of resilience, innovation and consistent growth. With nearly 200 clients and a projected turnover for 2023/24 of £1,200,000, his relentless commitment to excellence, both for his franchise and the businesses they coach, is unwavering.

“Luckily, my imposter syndrome didn’t last too long as I pushed through to complete our first week in business, following the model and my own advice I’d given for years to other franchise partners. Once local business owners began to put their trust in us, it was the start of something great.”

If you want to build a business with scalability and longevity, make a difference in your local community, and you’re the kind of person who:

1. A) loves learning and developing yourself;
2. B) has enjoyed success in your career or sport; and
3. C) is willing to invest if they see substantial rewards can be made…

The Best of the Best

Central to Jon's success as an Action Coach is his embodiment of ActionCOACH’s 14 points of culture. Among these, he most values Excellence and Abundance. Jon's ethos of excellence pervades every aspect of his business, striving not just to represent the brand but the entire industry in the best light. His abundant attitude extends to inviting coaches from outside ActionCOACH to their events, indicative of his belief in the limitless potential for everyone to succeed.

“I’ve lived and worked in Sheffield all my life – it has its own ecosystem which is very important to me, a special personality and sense of humour I love. That’s why our sole purpose at ActionCOACH Sheffield is to help our region become the go-to place for business. Our very existence is to ensure that our home towns are considered the place where the best of the best in business reside.”

ActionCOACH Sheffield’s success is a testament to Jon's innovative strategies. His inclusion of community events, like Business & Beers Builds Communities, supplemented with social events and a Wall of Fame to celebrate client success, have all added a unique dimension to the franchise, positively impacting the UK network's global developments.

How You Can Build a Successful Coaching Business

If Jon's story resonates with you and you're passionate about making a significant impact in your community while growing a successful business, consider the journey with ActionCOACH. Embrace the opportunity to learn, develop, and invest in a venture that promises not just substantial rewards but the chance to be a part of something bigger. Visit our learning centre below to explore more about becoming an Action Coach and discover other inspiring case studies. Learn from the best, and perhaps, become one of them. Your path to success and community transformation starts here with ActionCOACH

Another step to discovering more is to have a discovery call with an advisor, you will discuss the opportunity of becoming an ActionCOACH franchise partner, our advisors will answer all of your questions, and by the end of the discovery process, you’ll be able to decide whether or not this is the right opportunity for you.