Marcee Locke, Any Lab Test Now Owner, Wichita, KS

Over 300 franchise brands participated in an independent study conducted by Franchise Business Review (FBR) between July 2019 and February 2021. Each franchise brand requested their franchisees fill out an FBR satisfaction survey that asked 33 benchmark questions about their experience and satisfaction regarding critical areas of their franchise systems, including training and support, operations, franchisor/franchisee relations, and financial opportunity. After collecting more than 31,000 franchisee responses, Franchise Business Review (FBR) awarded Any Lab Test Now® as a Top Recession-Proof Business for 2021.

With an honor this high, our corporate team wanted to get a home team insider’s perspective on the real-time value of exactly what recession-proof meant through the eyes of one of our very own Franchisees. Marcee Locke, owner of Any Lab Test Now of Wichita, KS shared her story with us about what it was like to open her franchise location in the middle of the economic downturn of 2020. For Marcee and her husband Nick, their story of success started with a personal need they turned into a local community solution. As they moved through the process of becoming entrepreneurs, they pushed beyond overwhelming fears and instead chose to step into their dream opportunity with the courage and resolve to succeed despite the challenges they faced during the height of the pandemic. As you can imagine their story is inspiring, motivating, and most of all, a tribute to how important it is to support independent businesses that provide health and wellness services to their local communities.

Personal Needs Turned into Community Solutions

At the onset of our conversation, we asked Marcee if she had always wanted to own a business in the healthcare industry and she said:

“My husband and I, Nick, had always wanted to start our own business that we felt was new to Wichita. Then, one day I was looking for some lab testing, and I wasn’t able to find any pricing online, I wasn’t able to go anywhere without a doctor’s order. Even though I had insurance, I had no way of knowing what I was going to pay. And that was really frustrating for me, because I’m a firm believer in pricing transparency.

I just thought, you know, there has to be a better way. I did some research trying to figure out, is there a better way, and, you know, it turns out there is, and it’s called Any Lab Test Now.

I noticed that there weren’t any locations in Kansas, but that there were a lot of locations all across the country. So, I thought, wow, this could really be my opportunity to bring something unique to Wichita. We just fell in love with the concept. It was really easy for us to feel passionate about the idea of bringing affordable, and convenient access to lab testing for all of Wichita.”

Good Old-Fashioned Customer Service Wins Their Hearts

Next, we asked, what made her, and her husband choose Any Lab Test Now® as their business model and she shared:

“Any Lab Test Now jumped to the front immediately with the variety of services that they offer the focus on customer service.

I love good customer service, and it’s so rare these days, that I just felt like I really wanted something where customer service would be a huge competitive advantage for us, because I knew that I could provide that. We also wanted to find something that that would really make a difference to people. Ultimately, that focus on good customer service was really appealing to me because the whole company is all about that customer experience.”

Starting a Business in the Middle of a Recession

As we talked with Marcee, we asked her or her husband had ever felt scared about taking the plunge to open their franchise location and she replied:

“My husband and I had countless conversations and asked ourselves is this crazy? We didn’t want to let the excitement of the concept cloud the reality of the situation that we’re in the middle of the pandemic, but, you know, ultimately, with the scenarios that we ran, we felt confident in the overall demand for these services were for the long-term.

We were willing to take the risk up front. We didn’t want to let something short-term like a pandemic, stop us from moving forward with our dream opportunity.

I remember it was really scary and terrifying in fact. It was the number one thing that almost stopped us to be honest. I’m really happy we had the courage to move forward despite the pandemic, and if I could go back, I would 100% do it again!”

Finding Success with a Healthcare Business Model

Marcee and Nick Locke Grand Opening, Any Lab Test Now, Wichita, KS

Marcee also shared how their location was performing, so it was natural to ask her if she felt confident long-term success was in their future and she responded:

“Our first few months have beat my expectations.

COVID has increased the attention we have for our health and that’s a good thing. People are like, wow, you know, life is short, I need to really take care of this one body that I’ve been given. So, I think we have a new focus on health.

People are so used to dealing with insurance and dealing with having no idea what they’re going to pay for their lab work. So many people are shocked that we provide the doctor’s order, they’re like, wait, so my doctor doesn’t have to send me.

We educate people so they know, we do provide this. You can literally walk through our door and get tested for pretty much anything you want.”

Community-Driven Passion Fills Hearts with Joy

While we were talking with Marcee, we also inquired on what she felt her business value was to her local community and she replied:

“I didn’t have any healthcare background at all and before starting this I worked in corporate America for about 11 years.

Now, my days are filled with people who come in and say, “oh, my goodness, I’m so glad that you guys are open, I have been wanting to get tested for years.”

Some people who don’t have insurance, they haven’t been to the doctor in years, they haven’t been tested for a single thing, not even a standard CDC or CMP.  When I hear them say, “I finally have an affordable option where I can just come in and get some key things checked”, that’s the most rewarding thing for me is to just give people that accessible way of finally getting the lab work that they’ve wanted done forever. That really keeps me going as far as the passion for just helping people.

When people leave, and they say, “wow, that was really fast”, or, “wow, that was such a great experience”, that’s providing a service that people truly value. It doesn’t really get more fulfilling than that!”

Business Thrives When You Wake Up and Love What You Do

As we started to come to the end of our conversation we went out on a limb and asked Marcee, what are the top three things you love about owning an Any Lab Test Now franchise location and she responded:

“Number one, it’s the focus on health. At the end of the day, if somebody has $100, and that’s their total disposable income, if you have an option to go get your hair done, or go buy some clothes, most people are going to pick your health with their limited disposable income that they do have. Health is very important to people.

Number two, I think is accessibility. We do schedule appointments walk-ins are welcome. We also have convenient hours so people can come after work or over their lunch hour and we’re also open on Saturdays. We’re open when people need us.

Number three, we are really focused on the safety and health and well-being of our customers. Just that focus on actually helping and caring about our customers and that huge emphasis on customer experience is what makes it recession-proof.”

Empowering a Community with a Service-Based Business

At the end of our discussion, we asked Marcee to share how she felt about having a business model that is in-service to others and she said:

“One of the trademarked slogans by Any Lab Test Now, is Take Control of Your Health®—that’s exactly what this business allows you to do.

The true service to me is accessible health care for people want to monitor their health. They want other options. They want transparency and price. I think that the ease of accessibility to people who may not have had access to this before is the true service to the community. We make it easy for people because they’re in and out in 10 to 15 minutes. I think our true service is accessible health care.”

A big thank you to Marcee for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share her story and perspective of what it was like to open her franchise location in 2020!

If you’re looking around at what business opportunities are open to you, please reach out to us directly. We’re more than happy to provide you with information and answer questions. Learning about the available opportunities in your local area is the first step in discovering how you can find success with an Any Lab Test Now® franchise business.

This is the first year ANY LAB TEST NOW® participated in the hugely popular SXSW event in Austin, TX.  We shared our brand experience at both the Wellness Expo and the Trade Show, which gave us many opportunities to talk to our customers, and those who were unfamiliar with our brand.

Here are a few things we learned, reconfirmed, and allowed us to truly re-engage with our purpose:

People care about being their best through “well care” and “self-care.”

There was yoga, meditation in the Peace Box,  lettuce-growing subscription services and Kombucha.   Prevention without medications is growing among both young and old.  Emphasis on nutrition is also key.

People want to play a part in their overall healthcare strategy, and empowered to work alongside their physicians.

The internet has opened up a world of knowledge (some good, some bad).  Not all doctors we met approved of the direct access lab testing model because they felt it left too much room for unqualified interpretation.  Yet, many physicians came by and said “thank you” for being their when their patients were afraid of lab test costs, which could lead to non-compliant patients.

People want to know what they are going to pay at the time of service.

Many of those visiting our booth expressed receiving an unexpected lab testing bill, and felt a bit “stung.”  They liked our transparent prices, and knowing they could still use their HSA or FSA cards was a nice surprise.

People are starting to question medical and/or recreational marijuana, and its impact on employer drug testing. 

This is  definitely a trending topic.  Our friends at Quest Diagnostics recently told us that less than 1% of drug tests they have performed in the past year do not include THC.  Folks are still being tested.

Parents are concerned with teen drug use and vaping, and won’t hesitate to randomly test.

We had multiple parents come talk to us, and they are concerned with their teen’s health and safety.  One set of parents asked us about hosting information sessions on these issues to help them stay up-to-date.  This is a great idea – we love when we learn from our customers.

There is confusion about lab tests performed using online collection kits versus walking into Any Lab Test Now. 

These are two completely different business models and too much to write about here.  In fact, it sounds like another blog!   One quick fact – if you want your test results fast, just walk in and get your specimen collected at one of our stores.  You’ll probably have your test results back before you receive that kit.

Why isn’t Any Lab Test Now in California, New York, New Jersey, etc.? 

We met many, many people we are not yet able to serve.  Each state regulates its direct access lab testing laws, which determines whether or not we are able to serve those communities.  We appreciate these visitors’ interest.

We enjoyed the opportunity, and thanks to those that came and visited our booth, learned and shared.  Next event – American Association of Naturopathic Physicians!

Swooshing down the slopes in the winter, zip-lining through the Costa Rican rainforest in the summer or catching air off the back of a boat on a weekend lake getaway, the Toney family packs in as many family adventures as they can. As the owners of six, soon-to-be seven, Any Lab Test Now franchise locations in Austin and Dallas, Texas, Sean and Sarah Toney are reaping the rewards of a successful medical lab testing business that all started with… a blind date.

“We knew ‘of’ each other because we passed each other in the hallways of hospitals and doctors’ offices going after the same accounts,” recalled Sarah of their initial meeting eighteen years ago. “So, I guess it wasn’t completely blind.”

At the time, both Austin-area natives worked in pharmaceutical sales for two competing companies when they were set up on a date by co-workers. It didn’t take long for the competitors to become a couple. Then, eight years and four kids later, to become co-owners and one of the first franchisees at Any Lab Test Now, one of the country’s fastest-growing direct access lab testing companies.

“The main reason we bought a franchise was to create more flexibility and more family time. That was big on my heart,” said Sean, who has enjoyed coaching his three sons’ sports teams for the last 14 years and who grew up with entrepreneurial parents himself.

Sarah echoes that sentiment, “It is one of the best things I could have asked for. It is such a gift to be home with my kids after school instead of constantly traveling. Owning and running our own business is much more satisfying and rewarding to me than anything I ever did in pharma.”

An Insider’s Advantage

However, the Toneys’ background in health care is ultimately what drew them to Any Lab Test Now. With more than 15 years in the health care industry and sales, including countless hours in doctors’ offices and having the same conversations over and over with nurses, they had a unique perspective. Namely, as insiders, they knew the health care system was broken.

THEY KNEW… people were waiting for hours on end to see doctors and to get an order for a lab test.

THEY KNEW… people were paying outrageous amounts for lab tests and often, never even got to see the results.

THEY KNEW… people weren’t getting their lab tests done because of the high cost.

THEY KNEW… patients were tangled up in a bureaucracy and had no control over their health.

“There was a gap in the system and patients were falling through that gap. When it becomes all about profit, there are problems. At Any Lab Test Now, we saw solutions,” said Sarah.

Sean made a trip to the company headquarters in Atlanta for “Discovery Day” to learn more about what was involved in becoming a franchisee. He discovered a business model which included a small retail footprint, low overhead, a small employee base, and turnkey support from the home office. Maybe most appealing to them, it was an emerging business opportunity in the health care field. It took insurance out of the equation, in favor of up-front payment, and helped patients take back control of their health.

Sean came home to Sarah and declared, “We’re going to open this business. It’s a great concept. I love it!”

Making It Happen

Although they felt in their gut it was a great opportunity, they did their due diligence and sought feedback from friends in the health care field. Doctors, nurses, and office managers all gave them great encouragement, “Yes, it’s a need. Go for it!”

“We knew it was going to disrupt the industry,” explained Sarah. “And that was a good thing because it was going to help patients and make the system better.”

They pulled the trigger and bought the rights for the Austin market — three stores in three years.

“We drained our life savings, that was the scariest part. But we were confident because we were familiar with the industry. We loved pioneering this idea,” said Sarah.

Initially, Sean and Sarah both kept their careers. By the second year, Sarah left pharma to dedicate her full attention to the business and by the third year, Sean followed suit.

“We saw the success grow the more we were there as owners. After seeing success the first two years, I wasn’t as scared. I knew we could grow to new markets,” said Sarah.

A fourth store in Austin and two (soon-to-be-three) more in Dallas followed.

High Growth Vision

One way Any Lab Test Now offers built-in high growth opportunities is with its diversity of services. While health care lab tests represent about 65 percent of those offered, there are also drug screenings for employers and DNA testing for the courts, which makes the business a bit recession-proof. The Toneys relied on that and added their personal vision for continued growth.

“Early on, we realized we were spending too much time on things that were hindering our growth. We knew if we wanted to be growth-oriented, we had to offer growth opportunities, so key employees would stay with our company. Today we employ a team of 18 people and more than half have been with us for more than five years,” boasted Sarah.

By offering full benefits and paying slightly above the industry standard, the Toneys have assembled a team of experienced and qualified people to run their locations day-to-day. Sean focuses on operations, IT, and the financials for the group. Sarah brings her health care knowledge to sales, marketing, and human resources.

“It was an easy transition for me because we still get to see our doctor friends and interact with them on a daily basis. They are a huge part of our revenue and referrals; and important for our growth,” said Sarah.

From their days in pharma, Sarah and Sean always knew health care was a good fit for them. Their passion for the patient experience has never wavered. Today, instead of calling on doctors and nurses to sell drugs, Sarah calls on them to sell a service. A service that makes their and their patients’ lives easier; a service that offers the Toneys’ financial success, flexibility and personal fulfillment.

Request more information on this lab testing franchise.

Janice Blasinsky is not one to sit around and wait for things to happen. Not in health. Not in business. Not in life. If you caught a glimpse of the 59-year-old Title Boxing at 5:30 a.m. with her daughter/ business partner, you would start to get an idea of her zeal for taking action and making things happen.

Sitting in a doctor’s office in Cleveland, Ohio, back in 2008, Blasinsky recalls asking her doctor for a simple A1c sugar test. She has a family history of diabetes and while she wasn’t experiencing symptoms she wanted to check it out. Her doctor refused to order the lab test, stating her insurance wouldn’t pay for it. For her, that was a problem.

“I was so annoyed. I really didn’t like the fact I couldn’t make my own decisions about monitoring my health,” recalled Blasinsky.

As it happens, she was looking for new business opportunities around that time to add to her existing business – a medical evaluation and claims company. She remembers thumbing through a business magazine and saw a write up on Any Lab Test Now – a company that provides direct access clinical lab testing to consumers without a doctor’s order or insurance hassles; a company that allows people to take control of their own health.

“When I saw this franchise, I knew it was for me. The more I learned, the more I knew this would be a great fit for me and my daughter. With the way health care was moving, we loved the idea that anybody could walk in at any time and get a lab test of THEIR choice,” said Blasinsky.

Any Lab Test Now’s ranking by Inc 5000 as one of the nation’s fastest growing franchises, coupled with its low overhead, small retail footprint, and affordable initial investment sealed the deal. By 2009, Blasinsky and her daughter Angela Yaniga had signed on the dotted line to become an Any Lab Test Now franchisee. Yaniga began working for her mother when she was just 15 years old, transcribing and dictating doctor’s orders, and they have been a team ever since. Now they are business partners.

Our Happy Place

While Blasinsky works in the back office and takes care of accounting, Yaniga is out front handling sales and operations. Some mothers and daughters would have trouble working so closely but this duo has been in business together for 24 years now and have worked out all the kinks.

“When she was younger, I would sometimes have to say, ‘I’m not your mother today, we are co-workers.’ Now I look forward to coming in and seeing my daughter. We have a level of respect and trust with each other,” explained Blasinsky.

“It’s fantastic to sit next to your mother and work. We are very close, best friends. But it takes time,” adds Yaniga.

Both women agree that buying an Any Lab Test Now franchise has brought unexpected blessings to their lives. While they set out to provide lab testing choices with a high level of customer service in an inviting facility, they were pleasantly surprised by how grateful their clients were for their services.

There was the long-suffering patient who came in to get a lab test for Lyme’s disease after her doctor repeatedly refused to order it. She got a positive test result which she took back to her doctor to finally receive a diagnosis, treatment, and relief. She was ecstatic to get a good quality of life back!

“I get hugged daily. There is so much gratitude here. It’s our happy place,” shared Blasinsky. Every day we get an opportunity to help people change their lives and make a difference in our community.”

Sadly, Ohio, especially their community, is in the grip of not only an opioid epidemic, but it is also a hotbed for methamphetamine labs. Hundreds of children in the Cleveland-area suffer from the effects of methamphetamine exposure. Blasinsky and Yaniga’s franchise location works with county agencies and child and family services to offer exposure testing for children that no other lab offers, not even hospitals. They also offer confidential lab testing for parents who have a child who may be in drug trouble. They can get quick results that will help them get their kids on the right track before they end up with irreversible damage, physically, mentally, and legally. It is not over-stating it to say the work Blasinsky and Yaniga do at their Any Lab Test Now location is life-changing and life-saving.

“We offer everyone who walks in the door compassion and we treat them with respect. There is so much good work we are doing here. We give them answers, we save them money. It’s wonderful,” said Yaniga.

A Family Legacy

Nothing binds a family together quite like shared blood, sweat and tears that results in success. Blasinsky and Yaniga have achieved that with their Any Lab Test Now franchise (and their early morning boxing sessions). Their passion for their business and their hard work has been rewarded with personal, professional and financial success. They believe the fast-changing health care landscape will continue to make Any Lab Test Now a high growth business, as health insurance becomes more costly and burdensome, and consumers seek out opportunities to take control of their own health. Yaniga already has an eye to the future and hopes the business can be passed down through the generations and that her children, ages 9 and 6, will one day carry on the legacy of Any Lab Test Now as a community-oriented family business.

Any Lab Test Now Cleveland Ohio Storefront