1851

After three years in the military, posted in Germany, Rafael Sanmiguel left with one central notion on how to succeed in life &ndash; discipline. Whether this is in reference to physical health or professional goals, Sanmiguel was able to realize a determination to succeed in life and become his own boss. Now, after opening the first <a href="http://www.gymguyzfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=veterans-in-franchising-rafael-sanmiguel-2707080" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration-line:none" target="_blank">GYMGUYZ franchise</a> in Columbus, Ohio, Sanmiguel recognizes several parallels between the military and franchising that have allowed him to propel the brand forward. 1851 Franchise Magazine connected with Sanmiguel to take a deeper dive into how he went from the military to owning his own business.

1851: Why did you decide to join the military?

Sanmiguel: When I graduated high school, I wasn&rsquo;t ready to go straight to college. The military was an alternative option that granted me the time I needed to mature and travel through Europe, while serving my country.

1851: What was the most valuable thing your military experience taught you?

Sanmiguel: Discipline and teamwork. You are forced to work with people from all different kinds of backgrounds, some that you might not be familiar with. And, you have no choice but to work together. It&rsquo;s not always easy, but you have to be disciplined and hold yourself accountable in order to succeed.

1851: How did your military service prepare you for franchising?

Sanmiguel: My time in the military allowed me to realize that I wanted to be my own boss. I recognized the self-discipline that I was able to achieve during my time abroad and I knew it would translate well into business ownership.

1851: What is it about GYMGUYZ that attracted you to the brand?

Sanmiguel: I always had a passion for fitness and nutrition, and GYMGUYZ is a great opportunity to help people improve their health in the comfort of their own homes. The mobile aspect is a huge thing. You can make more of a difference with this type of business instead of a brick and mortar building, and you can get closer to the person you are training. I did a lot of intense workouts in the military, and I love to give advice to people I am working with who are looking to improve their lifestyle and get healthier.

1851: What advice would you give to veterans who are looking to get into franchising?

Sanmiguel: Find a business that interests you and then do as much research as possible. Look at the content they have on the web and reach out to existing franchisees. This is a big life decision and even though your interests might match, it&rsquo;s important that the business model is the type of lifestyle you see for yourself.

1851: What does franchising mean to you?

Sanmiguel: If you find the right franchise, the one that fits your personal goals and interests, it&rsquo;s a great way to get into business for yourself without having to start from scratch. You can be your own boss but you don&rsquo;t have to create the business model. There is freedom, but guidelines on how to make the business succeed.

When I was a kid I started a lawn mowing business in Miami and I did pretty well. I hired some friends to help me out with the business. I knew with franchising that there would be certain restrictions, but it just fit me better for several reasons. I&rsquo;m not the most creative person, but with a starting point, I am able to build from there and make it my own.

1851: What would you like to achieve in franchising within the next five years? In 10?

Sanmiguel: I want to continue to grow my business with GYMGUYZ and eventually grow my knowledge specifically in nutrition so that I can offer something more to my clients and customers.

<div>&nbsp;</div>

Veterans in Franchising: Rafael Sanmiguel

1851 Franchise

From drills to dumbbells: 1851 Franchise Magazine dives into how Sanmiguel went from the military to franchising.

veterans-in-franchising-rafael-sanmiguel

Melting Pot

Photo of interior of Melting Pot restaurant

Lexington Herald Leader: This Restaurant Chain Eyes a Return to Lexington After 10 Years

melting-pot-return-to-lexington

Keke's Breakfast Cafe

Keke's Breakfast Cafe - John and Kimberly Ehrhard - 1851 Franchise

Empowering Leadership, One Pancake at a Time: How John and Kimberly Ehrhard Are Building a Franchise Legacy with Keke’s Breakfast Cafe

john-kimberly-ehrhard-kekes-franchise

Comfort Keepers

More Than a Caregiver: Loretta Smith's Support Extends to Fellow Caregivers, Clients and the Community

more-than-a-caregiver-loretta-smiths-support-extends-to-fellow-caregivers-clients-and-the-community

Photo of Melting Pot CEO John "JC" Crawford

Melting Pot Names New CEO, Celebrates 50th Anniversary With Continued Growth and Leadership Promotions

melting-pot-franchise-mid-year-2025

Layne's Chicken Fingers

Texas Layne’s Franchisee Secures Real Estate in Austin, Set To Open Early Next Year

texas-laynes-franchisee-secures-real-estate-in-austin-set-to-open-early-next-year

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Drone Delivery Takes Flight in QSR: The Future of Franchise Operations?

drone-delivery-takes-flight-in-qsr-the-future-of-franchise-operations

Chick-fil-A Tops Customer Satisfaction Rankings for 11th Year as Challenger Brands Gain Ground

chick-fil-a-tops-customer-satisfaction-rankings-for-11th-year-as-challenger-brands-gain-ground

Technomic Releases Annual Ranking of the Top 15 Fast-Food Chains in the U.S.

technomic-releases-annual-ranking-of-the-top-15-fast-food-chains-in-the-us

Rising Jobless Claims Could Signal Challenges — and Opportunities — for Franchising

rising-jobless-claims-affect-franchising

Hardee’s Lawsuit Highlights the Risk of Going Off-Model in Franchising

hardees-franchise-lawsuit-paradigm-investment-group

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise

How Vishal Juneja Turned a Family Tradition Into a Paris Baguette Franchise Built on Heart and Community

paris-baguette-franchise-rockaway-new-jersey-vishal-junjea

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Raj Pingili and Paris Baguette logo

How a Family Vacation Inspired Raj Pingili to Bring Paris Baguette to Towson, Maryland

how-a-family-vacation-inspired-raj-pingili-to-bring-paris-baguette-to-towson-maryland

Franchisee spotlight graphic with photo of Juan & Whitney Fernandez & family, BIGGBY COFFEE logo

From Chiropractic to Coffee: These BIGGBY® COFFEE Franchisees Are Brewing Something New in Troy, Ohio 

biggby-coffee-franchise-coming-to-troy-ohio

Franchisee Spotlight with Chris & Evelyn Steinacher with Atomic Wings logo

Bringing the Heat: Local Couple Expand Their Franchise Portfolio with Atomic Wings in Illinois

Veterans in Franchising: Rafael Sanmiguel

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS