Episode 93

Franchising success isn't about shortcuts; it's built on resilience, customer focus, and the willingness to adapt. 

Raman Swaminathan's journey proves that even when starting from scratch, smart strategies and genuine relationships can turn struggles into thriving businesses.

In Episode#93 - From his early days in India, where Raman worked as a journalist covering major political events and even rubbed shoulders with Nelson Mandela during a historic cricket tour, to his career in IT and diplomacy, Raman’s story is full of unexpected twists.

When he moved to Australia, he took a big leap into franchising with PACK & SEND North Sydney, starting with one location and eventually becoming a multi-site franchise owner.

Along the way, he faced financial struggles, tough decisions, and the challenge of making it all work. But what really stands out is his approach to business: putting customers first, building genuine relationships, and staying adaptable.

0:00 Introduction

0:37 Raman's Upbringing in Calcutta and New Delhi, Multilingual Background, and Education in Commerce and IT

2:22 Transcribing interviews and joining Kapil Dev’s sports media team

4:44 Historic Cricket Tour to Post-apartheid South Africa and Meeting Nelson Mandela

6:26 Raman’s role at the Canadian High Commission and Dutch Embassy after leaving the media

9:50  Moving to Australia in 2004, securing permanent residency, and his early career at IBM

15:10 Raman and his partners explore franchising, and attend expos

19:14 Discovering Pack and Send on the Website

20:50 Challenges of the First Store launching at Greenfield location in North Sydney

25:47 Tough decision to acquire a second store in Crows Nest

27:23 How Raman and his team stabilised their franchises by focusing on customer relationships

28:02 Expanding to a Third Location at the Castle Hill Store

31:10 The Keys to Franchise Success: Customer Service, Personalised Interactions, and Growth from Small Clients

35:54 Wrap Up

Podcast Produced by: The Franchise Business HUB

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