By Chuck Prenevost, Owner of Fitness Machine Technicians of Vancouver, BC

With an ever-changing economic climate and the corporate workforce putting more people in positions where they’re forced to sacrifice passion, work-life balance and a positive, flexible work environment, entrepreneurship is on the rise. As workforce employees begin to weigh the benefits and risks of taking their chances with owning their own business, more than six in 10 adults say they would prefer to be their own boss. While entrepreneurship can be daunting as new businesses open constantly, continuing to oversaturate industries like home service that have numerous brands and very limited market availability, 2025 presents an opportune time for candidates seeking franchise ownership opportunities.  They just need to know where to look.  

As competition for customer loyalty, time and money remain high, especially in industries that involve providing a service, it is essential that aspiring entrepreneurs take time to find the right fit based on their passion, lifestyle and past experience before jumping into their new business venture. Equally important, having a goal-oriented, adaptable and positive mindset from the start will set new business owners up for success, and it will also be the key to carrying them through the highs and lows that come with entrepreneurship. As an outdoor enthusiast and healthy lifestyle advocate, I find balancing roles as a part-time ski instructor and owner of two full-time businesses challenging.  However, I wouldn’t want it any other way.  My success with Fitness Machine Technicians stems from the alignment of my values, skills, and interests, coupled with a steadfast commitment to client communications and networking.

For those looking to find their niche and succeed within the franchise space, below are a few ways I have found success in my first three years of business. 

Tap into Your Strength and Passions
When exploring the right business opportunity, remember that your first entrepreneurial venture doesn’t have to follow a “standard” path or resemble every other business. My entrepreneurial journey started over 20 years ago when I launched my family’s tropical plants business. This involved importing, installing, and maintaining tropical plants for commercial clients in the Toronto market. While I always knew I wanted to run a business, this was an unexpected yet fascinating way to start. Despite its niche focus, this experience prepared me in many ways—not only for managing the complexities of operating in a specialized industry but also for adopting a business model similar to what I now oversee with my fitness equipment repair and maintenance franchise.

After selling the family business, I entered the world of franchising as a franchise broker with FranNet. For over 10 years, I guided and coached other entrepreneurs in finding the right franchise ownership opportunities. 

Eventually, I discovered my perfect fit with Fitness Machine Technicians. As someone who values an active, healthy, and outdoor lifestyle, pursuing a venture in the fitness industry was a natural choice. Fitness Machine Technicians offered a unique concept with minimal competition, significant growth potential, and a service model that echoed my previous business—making the transition both logical and seamless.

 

Business ownership is more than simply an investment in your financial future. When done with proper commitment and mindset, it becomes an investment in your lifestyle and the livelihood of your employees, customers and future customers. Entrepreneurship doesn’t need to be restrictive – it’s possible to find an opportunity that supports your passions and fills a niche that stands out among other industries. With dedication and research, you can find a hidden gem that combines past experience and current goals into a thriving new business venture. 

 

Growing a Niche Business 

Running a business that has a niche offering requires constant prioritization on communication at every level. Face-to-face communication or even just a phone call can make all of the difference for maintaining client and employee relationships, and proper communication can make your business stand out when expanding your network and securing new clients. Commercial clients are the majority of our business, and while getting new clients may seem like the toughest part of the job, the day-to-day client relationship management requires more effort and time commitment. 

 

Communication is at the center of maintaining positive client experiences – from regular check in calls, to coordinating in-person visits and of course start-to-finish updates while providing the service they’re relying on you to deliver. While it may seem simple, being an actual human connection for clients and your employees will drive success and make your business stand out. In a digital era where AI and tech automation is overpowering many industries and minimizing the customer experience, ensuring that your business provides customers with an actual person who is willing to answer the phone can make all the difference. As a business owner, you also have to commit to regularly finding networking opportunities that your current and potential future clients may attend. Also, in an era of tech and automation, ensuring that you’re available for a one-on-one phone call or meeting is essential. 

 

Prioritizing Employee Growth to Drive Retention
It’s no secret that the workforce has changed drastically over the last few years, and both finding and keeping trustworthy and loyal employees who help deliver a positive, well-rounded customer experience can be a challenge. We’ve managed to keep our original technician who was hired when we opened our business in 2021 and hired another who has remained a pivotal part of our team for the last nearly two years as well through prioritizing work-life balance, encouraging and providing opportunities for growth and maintaining an open space for feedback. 

As an owner, if it’s important to me to have time for doing the things I love like teaching ski lessons at my home mountain of Whistler and being active outdoors, I have to maintain that standard for my employees as well. Giving your team space to do what they want to do outside of work and not always think about work will greatly increase their attitude towards showing up and putting effort into their work. When it comes to leadership, any tasks they’re doing is something I need to be willing to do as well, and that respect I show for their work is returned to me as a result, providing me with a loyal team who not only shows up but has adopted the growth mindset I have relating to the business. 

Additionally, any opportunities you can give to employees to advance from within will ensure that you’re investing in them and that you won’t discredit the growth they’ve had thus far. One way to do this is through slow integration of more managerial responsibilities – for us that looks like taking over client scheduling and ordering replacement parts. Management from an ivory tower leads to different results than being ingrained in a team, and your employees will remain loyal if they feel supported, validated and encouraged to develop their skillset. Maintaining an open space within the team for communicating challenges, new ideas and learning new things will create employees who want to grow with the company rather than just do their job and leave.

Starting and sustaining a successful niche business requires dedication, focus, and tenacity on personal, team, and customer levels. Challenges are inevitable, and hearing “no” will be part of the journey, but maintaining a strong growth mindset helps overcome obstacles and refocus on clear, achievable goals. 

Success lies in aligning your passions, lifestyle, and strengths while prioritizing effective communication and fostering employee growth. A thriving niche business also demands a positive, resilient mindset. In today’s competitive entrepreneurial landscape, those who stand out by offering distinct services, delivering exceptional, communication-driven customer experiences, and empowering their teams are best positioned for success.