October 21, 2022
The inspiring scientist, school teacher and multi franchise owner - all in one
Alex Evans isn’t your average franchisee. After 10 years as a medical scientist, Alex now works 3 days a week as a high school science teacher, whilst at the same time owning three (3) Price Attack stores.
He certainly doesn’t have industry experience in hair care but this hasn’t stopped Alex from running 3 very successful businesses, and right through a pandemic.
The 'lifestyle' move into a franchise
The hours working as a medical scientist were difficult for Alex with two children and so he moved into teaching in 2007. The challenges for his family didn’t stop there, with Alex sadly losing his wife to cancer in 2013.
Alex said, “The wheel doesn't stop spinning. You have to keep going. I started thinking about the future. When you look at setting yourself up for the future you've got pretty much superannuation, real estate and shares. You're buying basically part of a business, or you buy into a business normally, so I thought, why not shortcut that and just buy my own business?”
In the past working in pathology, Alex had to work many public holidays and craved a job where he could spend that time with family.
So in 2016, Alex made his 3rd career move buying a Price Attack store, all the while maintaining his teaching job.
The Price Attack appeal
When Alex started researching and considering different franchises, he decided that hairdressing was an industry that would always survive an economic recession, so after a great amount of research he purchased Price Attack Australia Fair on the Gold Coast.
Alex spent time training and understanding the mechanics of the franchise.
“I immersed myself in understanding how the business operates. What the bottom line was, what it needed to be, and what had to be done to increase profitability.”
In the midst of a pandemic, Price Attack has demonstrated longevity due to the versatility of their business model. Alex recalls how he steered his business through precarious times.
“Price Attack’s dual business model proved to be the saviour through COVID. On one hand you have the hair styling side and on the other you’ve got the retail products. When we had to close, the retail side of the business kept kicking on. Even though the shopping centre was eventually empty, we were still getting customers in to buy retail products.”
The other huge appeal of Price Attack for Alex are the vast resources available from head office.
“They look after all of your marketing, you've got a lot of people working within that business that can solve a lot of the problems that you really don't want to deal with at an individual level.”
Alex was truly bitten by the Price Attack bug at this stage, buying his second location in Sunshine Plaza on the Sunshine Coast in 2018. High performance and great confidence in the brand then led him to buy a 3rd store in Coomera on the Gold Coast in 2021.
Working smarter, to live better
As a seasoned franchisee, Alex recommends outsourcing to trusted sources where possible.
“I now outsource most of my record keeping to a bookkeeper with regards to invoices, tax liabilities and payroll. It's more viable for me to outsource and spend that valuable time on things like staffing (hiring and general satisfaction). This also gives me the freedom to pursue other life interests.”
Joining the Price Attack franchise group has proven to be a major success for Alex. When asked about the best part of the journey, he said, “Getting to a point of financial freedom. Working for yourself and having direct control over business decisions rather than having other people make them for you, especially in regards to superannuation or investing your shares.”
Alex plans to transition out of teaching eventually… when it suits him.
What’s clear is that Alex works to live. As he says, “When you die, what will you be remembered for? Live, love and learn with no regrets. Don’t die wondering… if only…”
