Franchisee Profile: Zelly Wesson

Atlanta-based Workout Anytime is a 24/7 fitness concept created to provide members with first-class fitness facilities at the lowest possible cost, while delivering a profitable and affordable business model to franchisees. Built on the founders’ motto of, “Think big, keep it simple and do it with integrity,” Workout Anytime is preparing for significant expansion into new territories by providing opportunities to business-minded entrepreneurs. Zelly Wesson is no exception. Originally from Portland, Oregon Wesson attended La Salle University, earning a degree in marketing and organizational management. He has been playing professional basketball for the past 14 years in Europe and is currently playing in his sixth season in Turkey while semi-absentee owning three smoothie franchises called NrGize Lifestyle Café and his new Workout Anytime location in Stockbridge, Georgia. How did you learn about the brand? During the past four years, I have done personal training in the offseason. I was looking at a number of fitness related opportunities and a friend of my wife, who is the Workout Anytime franchisee in Roswell, Georgia, recommended the brand. I went and saw her gym as a part of my due diligence and even worked out to get a good feel. After looking into every opportunity, I knew this was the right choice for me. Why did you choose an opportunity with Workout Anytime? After analyzing my smoothie business, it became clear –as an owner, I depended heavily on my employees. The food service model is the type of business that constantly needs an employee to be on site and run the day-to-day operations. With the Workout Anytime business model, I don’t need someone there all the time. There’s no food involved and members have access to come and go as they desire. This is appealing to me because I live overseas most of the year. The 24/7 aspect of the business is also appealing to me personally as a professional athlete – you can literally workout anytime that fits your schedule. What makes your business unique in the community?  The biggest reason people will choose us over competitors is that we are very hands-on with the community. We offer free fitness boot camps and started offering the camps even before our business opened. We’re very passionate about the health and wellness industry. We genuinely care about people getting in shape and educating the community on the importance of fitness and health. What challenges have you overcome to get where you are now? Educating myself on the importance of nutrition and being healthy has been a challenge. I was a big kid growing up. I know first hand the difficulties a child endures when they’re not in great shape. I battled weight issues until I was about 22. At that time, I hired a dietitian and began my transformation to really getting in shape. It’s really about discipline, balance and doing the right thing for your mind and body. Do you have any other interesting hobbies or passions? I like to design! I do a lot of interior decorating. I love creativity and finding unique presentations for new things, new projects and new businesses.