Imran Ilahi, St Johns Wood, North London

Launching: September 2008

With a keen interest in health and fitness and a background in freelance personal training, the decision to invest in an énergie Personal Fitness franchise was simple. I saw énergie's advertisement in a fitness magazine and felt investing in a personal training studio franchise was the best way forward. Knowing I would be able to use a tried and tested business model and have access to training and support every step of the way was appealing.

While I researched other personal training franchises, the énergie Personal Fitness package stood out because of its excellent reputation as a fitness franchise and the comprehensive support provided. I joined the network in January earlier this year and I am due to launch my fitness studio in September.

So far I have completed a management-training course that includes a distance learning module and a three-day residential module. I will attend the fitness product training shortly, where I will learn about the different products on offer including the inch loss programme.

At the moment I am viewing potential locations for my studio in St Johns Wood and once my studio is up and running I will have access to ongoing training. The support I have received so far has been fantastic. At the moment énergie is helping me not only find a location and negotiate a lease but also apply for planning permission to convert a building into a personal training studio and understand the value of well planned effective sales and marketing strategies. I am looking forward to my future as a personal fitness studio owner especially having the stability of a regular income once the business is established. In my first year I intend to take a hands-on role training both staff and clients with the aim of making a net profit of £30,000.

Interview: Jess Sturman