Franchisee in the Waste Industry

Last episode we chatted with Alex Caputo about his experience owning a franchise in the fitness industry. He has recently pivoted away from fitness and into a totally different and fascinating market - waste management - so I wanted to share his story and the reasons behind that shift.

Alex Caputo has worked in a variety of Technical Sales roles and found that he was also drawn to entrepreneurship.  Because he was passionate about fitness, he got started with Orangetheory fitness franchises which he successfully sold and transitioned into car washes. Alex has recently invested in another industry which has a unique approach to helping businesses save money on their waste management.

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In this episode Alex and I talk about why he invested in car washes with a couple business partners after he sold his Orangetheory franchises. He then talks about the processes of finding a new business to work on, why he is so excited about his opportunity with Smash My Trash, and what he considers before jumping into a new business.

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In this episode, we’re discussing…

  • How and why Alex moved from owning fitness franchises to owning car washes.

  • What he learned from his previous entrepreneurial experiences - like not wanting too many employees - and how he incorporates those lessons today.

  • Why Alex decided to explore new business opportunities after selling his Orangetheory franchises.

  • Why he is so excited about Smash My Trash, a company in the waste management sector that he has decided to franchise with.

  • Some of the things Alex considers when looking for new business opportunities.

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Alex’s Top Tips:

  • Work on the business, rather than in the business – partner with and hire people that bring the necessary and specific skills to your business, whether those are local general managers, mechanics, etc. That way you can think strategically and help steer the business successfully

  • Think about your tolerance for risk - do your homework when you are thinking about a new business opportunity, especially if it’s in an up-and-coming industry or franchise. Analyze your tolerance for risk, what you can afford, and what you may lose if the market becomes unfavorable to your business

  • Listen to the people who are in the game – make sure to network and connect with people who are working in the industries you’re interested in. Don’t listen to everybody - listen to people who will tell you the truth about what it’s like in the space you are considering a business in.

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Resources:

ABOUT ALEX CAPUTO

Alex Caputo has worked in a variety of Technical Sales roles and found that he was also drawn to entrepreneurship.  Because he was passionate about fitness, he got started with Orangetheory fitness franchises which he successfully sold and transitioned into car washes.   Alex has recently invested in another industry which has a unique approach to helping businesses save money on their waste management.

Nichole Stohler