ATHLETES IN FRANCHISING
Disciplined and Relentless
Global basketball player transitions to franchising
BY KERRY PIPES
K
’ Zell “ Zelly ” Wesson took his pro basketball career global more than 17 years ago . He currently plays in Turkey as a forward for Afyonkarahisar Belediyespor , a team in the Turkish Basketball League . But the 6-foot-7-inch Wesson is also making sure he ’ s got game as he nears the end of his playing days — by investing in and growing a chain of Workout Anytime fitness gyms in the USA .
He and his wife Neesh opened their first Workout Anytime franchise in March 2013 in Stockbridge , Ga . The brand ’ s hallmark is its price point and 24 / 7 operating hours . The couple now has three units open and another in the pipeline . Naturally , he says , it makes sense for him to operate a business in the fitness sector as a way to help others get fit , stay fit , and enjoy a better quality of life . And , he says , it will make a great business for him when he retires from basketball .
Wesson says that although playing professional sports overseas came with a unique set of challenges , he ’ s thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity . “ It ’ s tough when you are on a team and don ’ t speak the native language or fully understand the local culture , but you just have to adapt and overcome … or go home ,” he says .
Although he spends a lot of time overseas working out , practicing , and playing , he remains actively involved in his business back home . He says his wife and a great management team on the ground in Georgia ensure everything is running smoothly while he ’ s 6,000 miles away .
Wesson says the franchise model appealed to him because of its simple structure and “ follow the
NAME : K ’ Zell “ Zelly ” Wesson
Zelly Wesson , foreground
TITLE : Operations director COMPANY : Workout Anytime NO . OF UNITS : 3 open , 1 in progress AGE : 39 FAMILY : Married , no children YEARS IN FRANCHISING : 8 YEARS IN CURRENT POSITION : 4
38 MULTI-UNIT FRANCHISEE ISSUE I , 2017