FRANCHISING FEATURE ARTICLES
The Quest for more
Natasha McNamara’s success as a Quest franchisee points the way for younger people to achieve early business success.
BEING ON CALL 24 hours a day, on duty several days a week, and living on-site at work, Quest serviced apartments in Melbourne CBD, can have its advantages. It enabled Natasha McNamara to save a lot more – and a lot faster – than the average young person.
By the time she was 28, McNamara had pocketed enough money working for Quest to invest in her own Quest franchise: a 21-roomed serviced apartment in Jolimont, Melbourne’s inner east.
She had joined the group not long after leaving school. “I realised back then, ten years ago, how much I enjoyed the [hospitality] industry, especially the personal interaction. Because I was working closely with a franchise owner, I became aware of the importance of costs and cash flow and other processes.
“That got me more interested in the business side of things. I saw it as an industry that grows along with strong client relations, and understood how important it is to develop a good understanding of the target market. I was keen to become a franchisee so I could use and develop my skills while managing my own business.”
Employing a team of seven, McNamara’s efficiency in running the franchised business was quickly recognised by head office. She beat 112 contenders to pick up the coveted title Quest Franchisee of the Year last year, just two years after taking on the franchise.
It wasn’t the only milestone achievement of 2007. In early July, McNamara gave birth to her first child and just nine days before that, took on her second franchise. Located just 700 metres away in East Melbourne, it’s nearly twice the size with 38 rooms but attracts a similar clientele.
McNamara now had a general manager and a team of 23 across the two sites which more often than not are fully booked. Being in the hub of Melbourne’s sporting and entertainment arenas, the serviced apartments attract clientele throughout the year, with sports fans pouring into the MCG for AFL and cricket, Rod Laver arena for tennis, and concert goers patronising Vodafone arena and Olympic stadium.
Regular visitors to the serviced apartments also include corporate guests attending conferences in the city. “During the quieter weeks, when there are fewer sporting activities to attract people, we package up specials in conjunction with the popular attractions such as the aquarium, moonlight cinema or zoo.”
Individual franchisees frequently opt to stage their own promotions, offering special short-stay packages capitalising on local attractions, and these efforts dovetail with Quest head office in Melbourne which promotes its 112 properties run by franchisees in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji. This year celebrating two decades of business, Quest Serviced Apartments has picked up a string of awards: the PwC Excellence in Franchising Award for Service Franchise of the Year and 2007.
