We’re proud to announce our membership with VetFran! Any Lab Test Now offers a 10% discount off our franchisee fee for honorably discharged veterans. Consider joining our growing family of franchisees today!

About VetFran

VetFran was founded in 1991 as a strategic initiative of the International Franchise Association and the IFA Foundation. The mission of this organization is to educate veterans and franchisors about the value veterans bring that closely matches the skills needed to succeed inside the franchise business model.

The Value of a VetFran Membership

The Leadership team at VetFran has a majority of members who are veterans themselves and enjoy volunteering their time and expertise in helping their fellow veterans find prosperous opportunities that are unique to the business of franchising.

In order for a franchisor to become a member of VetFran they’re required to meet quality criteria that includes; being a member of the International Franchise Association with a clean audit report, in business for a minimum number of years, and offer their best discount off their franchise fee to veterans.

Overall, veterans can count on VetFran to be a helpful guide in searching, identifying, and verifying what opportunities best match their future and goals. Any Lab Test Now is excited to be a part of this supportive community and looks forward to offering focused and personalized care and assistance to our service men and women.

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.

Susan Lynch, owner of Any Lab Test Now of Wilmington, NC shared her story with us about how she became a franchisee and what the value is to be recession-proof to those she serves in her local community. For Susan, she found her way to owning her own location by circumstance and a rare opportunity that presented to her at the right time for all the right reasons.

One Part-Time Job = One BIG Business Opportunity

We asked Susan how she got her start in the healthcare industry and she said:

“It came to me. I did not go out and find it.  I had taken a part-time job at Any Lab Test Now, here in North Carolina, the one I own now.

At first, I was interested in the business model, because I’ve worked in a clinical lab since I was 20 years old. Over the years, in some capacity or another, I’ve worked in every position from management, all the way down to just drawing blood on the weekends. I was intrigued by the fact that you didn’t need your own doctor’s order. So, I took a part-time job there. And over the years, ended up buying it from the physician who actually started it.”

Growing a Career in the Medical Field

Next, we asked, how she got her start in her medical career path and she replied:

“I went to college for phlebotomy and medical assisting and after that I started my technology program, and then got married. I then took a little step back and went to work in the lab. And back then you could do what we used to call “bench work”.

I fell in love with what seemed like a very different kind of job. I have always loved sales and even through my whole medical career, I’ve always sold something on the side.”

Combining a Medical Career with a Sales Career

As we talked with Susan, we asked her which career path she liked the most and she said:

“So that piece of this business was a total combination for me. It was the perfect package. The doctor I was working for at this location had come to me and said he was leaving the country for a couple of years. Then he asked me if I wanted to run the lab since I was already here working part-time.  And I said, of course, that would be wonderful. He offered a buy-in so that I would treat it as my own and that option had never entered my mind, you know, being able to own one of these businesses.

It was really perfect because I was now able to sell something I already knew so much about.”

Supporting Her Community with an Affordable Choice

Susan also shared her passion behind the value she offers to her community and said:

“Yes, so my biggest driver is that in all the years I’ve been in the hospitals, in the doctor’s offices, one of the biggest complaints is that people can’t afford their medical bills. The doctors say you need to do these tests. And patients say no, I can’t afford the bill. Now, many people don’t get what they need because of money. And I felt like I could offer them an affordable way to get what they need without having to involve their insurance company and get outrageous bills at the end of the sale at the end of the process.”

Selling Solutions Is Better Than Selling Big Bills

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

“Here’s the reality, people say I’ve got insurance, this test is going to be free. The doctor doesn’t have a financial conversation with them about 90% of the time. The doctors just tell them that this is the test, and they need to go down to the lab.

At what point does it occur to the person that they are going to get an invoice in the mail before they get the invoice in their mailbox? And then at what point does the doctor turn around and say, this is going to cost you X amount of dollars? How do you handle selling that? Because isn’t that really what you’re selling?

For me, I’m selling a solution before the problem actually comes about. Right. And typically, most people have gotten the lab bill for something that was so outrageous, they could not believe that the lab tests could cost that much. Now, they can come to me and find out that they could have many tests done for a fraction of what they paid before.”

Painful Insurance Bills Led to Providing the Solution Herself

As we talked, we asked Susan, what is it like to offer a solution ahead of the problem and she responded:

“There’s a lot of people who prefer to pay upfront. Because of that shock in the mail, six weeks after you go to the lab is horrible. I had this happen myself where I let my doctor do my labs one time, I said, “Look, we will try this one time. But if my insurance doesn’t pay, it never happens again.”

I ended up getting a bill. And I told him, “I’m not doing this ever again”. Then my bill was about three times what I would have had to pay here at my store. Most people do not understand how insurance works. They don’t pay attention. They don’t investigate, they don’t call in to check their benefits.

They assume it’s free and they just use it. At the end, a lot of people don’t pay the bill. Now, I’m an easy sell at that point.”

A Service-Based Business That Supports Others

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

“Our service is affordable and enjoyable. I mean, we get a lot of reviews about how enjoyable it was to come in and how clean and how fast we are. If you make it enjoyable, and you make it affordable, and your customer service is impeccable… they will just keep coming and people will tell everyone they know, who will tell everyone what options are out there.

It just snowballs from there. Our business model and service give people a place to go that doesn’t feel like a normal medical office where no one cares and you’re just a number. People look at medicine as big business. They think it is all about getting money and no one cares about the patient.

And we just FLIP IT.

We care about the patient and not so much about the money.”

A big thank you to Susan for taking the time out of her busy schedule to share her story and perspective of what it’s been like finding her way to becoming a franchisee!

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.

Kenny Peterson and Business Partner Team Up With ANY LAB TEST NOW®

ANY LAB TEST NOW®, is proud to announce the newest addition to their family of franchisees.  Retired NFL player and successful entrepreneur with strong ties to the region, Kenny Peterson and his business partner, Nicole Flores, have been awarded three territories in Northeast Ohio. Kenny and Nicole are planning to open the first of three ANY LAB TEST NOW locations later this year in their hometown of Canton, Ohio.

“We are excited to start this new journey with ANY LAB TEST NOW,” explains Peterson. “Nicole and I both have years of experience in the healthcare industry and franchising, and we are looking forward to helping our neighbors take control of their health by providing them direct access to affordable lab testing.”

The ANY LAB TEST NOW concept dates back nearly 30 years. The company was the first to offer consumers walk-in access to lab tests at its flagship location in Atlanta. Today, there are more than 190 locations across the nation and each one, including the future locations in Northeast Ohio, provides thousands of tests without an appointment.

“Our future ANY LAB TEST NOW franchises will fill a huge void in this part of the state,” says Flores, a veteran business leader with a master’s degree in healthcare finance. “Our customers will be able to stop by at their convenience and learn about affordable lab testing. No matter if it is a test to help someone manage a chronic condition like diabetes or a drug test needed for a job applicant at a local business, every test comes with a transparent price, so there are no surprise bills at the end of the process.”

Peterson and Flores are planning to open their first ANY LAB TEST NOW by early November 2021. The second and third locations will follow with grand openings in the Akron area next year.

“We are ecstatic to have Kenny and Nicole join our team, and we look forward to helping them expand their business portfolio in Northeast Ohio,” says Terri McCulloch, Vice President of Business Development of ANY LAB TEST NOW. “The combination of their entrepreneurial track record and ANY LAB TEST NOW’s proven business model is a perfect match.”

Christy Marcantel, Any Lab Test Now Owner, Winter Park, FL

Franchise Business Review (FBR) surveyed over 8,000 female franchise owners and recently completed their Top Franchises for Women 2021 study. FBR uncovered 27 inspirational women during their study and highlighted them in their most recent publication, The Powerful Women of Franchising. We found their remarkable stories of businesswomen who forged through the COVID-19 Pandemic to find success more than motivational. In a year that showered business hardships for many business owners, these women chose to rise and overcome their challenges and move gracefully through them with unwavering strength resilience.

Help Us Celebrate One of Our Very Own

Powerful Women in Franchising!

We hope you’ll take a moment to share in our celebration of one of our very own franchisees, Christy Marcantel, Owner of Any Lab Test Now, Winter Park, Florida, who was featured in the Powerful Women of Franchising!

Congratulations Christy!!!  You are such a wonderful example for your sons!!!

Thank you for all you do for Any Lab Test Now and your community!

-Clarissa Bradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now®

According to Small Business Forum, 41 percent of all United States franchises are owned or co-owned by women. Additionally, women-owned franchises have skyrocketed by 83 percent in comparison to 13 percent growth in franchises owned by men since 2011.

Thank you, Christy, for pivoting and growing strong through the pandemic of 2020. We’re so proud of all your hard work and for being a pillar of strength to your family! Congratulations on being a true leader and for empowering your community with affordable on-demand healthcare services!

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.

Does working for a parent sound like the ticket to success, or a punishment? Any Lab Test Now’s mother and daughter duo in Arizona prove working together to run two retail lab testing locations is a great way to achieve financial success, career satisfaction and family harmony.

Jeri Frandsen started her career with Any Lab Test Now, one of the fastest-growing healthcare franchises in the nation, when she opened her first location in Scottsdale, Arizona, in 2008 with several partners. Following the successful launch of the first unit, the group opened a second storefront in Glendale, Arizona, in 2010. Record sales enabled Frandsen to buy her partners out and add her daughter, Angela Garrett, to her team.

Bringing her daughter onboard was a family tradition and a practical choice. Frandsen began her own career as a real estate broker at her father’s firm. More than 60 percent of businesses are family-owned, according to Family Enterprises USA, a family business advocate in Washington, D.C. In fact, 78 percent of new jobs in the United States are created from family-owned firms, and family businesses have higher employee retention rates than their counterparts.

“Angie started working for me as an intern. Today she is my business partner and manager of the Scottsdale location,” Frandsen said. “She is motivated. I know she is here for the long term.”

Garrett knew she wanted a career in the medical field from a young age. When she was planning her career path, Garrett discussed her options with her mother. Frandsen promised Garrett a position with Any Lab Test Now if she completed her phlebotomy license. “I grew up with my mom and grandpa working together. Working with my mom was a natural fit,” Garrett added.

Frandsen worked at her father’s real estate business for a number of years before taking a job at an occupational health clinic. Working at the clinic sparked her passion for medicine and fueled her knowledge of lab testing. Searching for warmer temperatures, Frandsen and her parents moved to Arizona, and Frandsen returned to real estate until the economy tanked in 2008. Knowing she was at a crossroads, Frandsen decided to give entrepreneurship a chance. “I always wanted to own my own business. There are high margins in lab testing, and I was familiar with the concept from my time working as a manager at the medical clinic,” Frandsen said.

New Location Fuels Sales, Cuts Costs

Despite recording high sales at the Scottsdale storefront, Frandsen decided to move the location of her business to lower her monthly rent bill. The old storefront was in a strip mall, anchored by a grocery store. The new location is in a quieter shopping plaza across the street, where it is easier for her customers to park, and rent is low. “Our new location saves approximately $2,500 in rent each month. It’s easier for our customers to find and easier to access. The first month at the new location, we had record sales,” Frandsen said.

The mother and daughter are ramping up their presence on social media to help boost sales. Consistent posting on Facebook and LinkedIn is helping generate results. Garrett said they recently started collecting email addresses from customers and plan to distribute an email newsletter to drive repeat business.

Sparkling Service Drives Repeat Business

 Excelling in customer service generates repeat business and high ratings from satisfied customers. Both of the pair’s units focus on customer satisfaction. They pride themselves on being knowledgeable about all of the tests they offer. They make sure to answer every phone call and provide customers with a clean, professional atmosphere. “Our customers want answers fast. Giving them the opportunity to come in and order their own lab work without a doctor’s prescription is a good thing,” Garrett said. “We treat our customers like family.”

Recently, a young mother came in for lab tests to help understand why her child was suffering from nausea, digestive issues and irritability. Frandsen and Garrett recommended a Food Sensitivity and Intolerance Test. To soothe the grouchy baby, the mother was feeding it comfort foods, like almond milk, blue Gatorade and French fries. Results from the test revealed the child was intolerant to almonds, blue dye and potatoes. The mother made changes to the child’s comfort foods and saw immediate improvements, Frandsen said.

Reliable Staff Fosters Work-Life Balance

 One perk of entrepreneurship Garrett did not anticipate was flexibility. Garrett has two children, ages 2 and 10. She is able to coordinate her schedule with her coworker to make sure they can attend school functions and cover sick days. Offering work-life balance is important for employee retention and training. Frandsen makes new staff wait nearly a month before they answer phones to ensure they are able to answer customer questions professionally. To limit turnover, Frandsen strives to keep her employees motivated and pay a competitive wage. “Our products and services are so vast, there’s a huge learning curve for a new employee,” Frandsen said. “Hiring long-term employees helps make our business successful.”

Learn more about finding a rewarding and flexible career in direct access lab testing. Visit Any Lab Test Now to find out more information today.

Allison Kapalka’s optimism, knowledge and perspective has allowed her Any Lab Test Now location in Lititz, Pennsylvania, to flourish in the heart of the Amish community.

While working as a franchise broker for Choice Biz Solutions, Kapalka made the decision to test out her entrepreneurial skills in 2008 and open an Any Lab Test Now unit in Lititz, Pennsylvania. “While I was working as an outside sales representative for Any Lab Test Now, I sold myself on the concept,” Kapalka said. “I love the retail lab-testing concept. I’ve had issues getting physicians to agree on tests I need. If I was having difficulty getting adequate healthcare, I knew other people must have similar problems.”

Amish Traditions and Values Boost Sales

Any Lab Test Now allows customers to take charge of their health, appealing to the numerous members of the Amish in the Lancaster County area. The Amish immigrated to Lancaster County in the early 1700s to escape persecution in Europe. The close-knit, conservative Christian religion focuses on family, work and humility, reflected in their plain clothes and prohibition of personal photography. Most Amish communities believe it is important to avoid influences from the modern world and are reluctant to adopt a variety of conveniences, including electricity and cars.

The Amish are particularly concerned about living a healthy lifestyle, including consuming less salt and eating primarily homegrown foods. Tobacco and alcohol consumption are low and most Amish community members practice natural healing methods, relying on medical doctors only when serious ailments arise. The Amish also lack health insurance, which makes the cost of visiting a doctor prohibitive.

“Members of the Amish community know it’s a lot less expensive to prevent an illness than to treat someone who is sick,” Kapalka said. “They employ a lot of treatment techniques outside of mainstream medicine, including chiropractors and naturopaths. It’s normal for the Amish to reserve pharmaceuticals for more serious situations, rather than just to treat a cold or diabetes.”

When Kapalka opened her doors in 2008, the Amish community represented 75 percent of her Any Lab Test Now location’s customers. High-deductible insurance is forcing more Americans to educate themselves on healthy lifestyle options and pick and choose the tests they receive to cut costs. Outside of general lab tests, the Lititz unit’s top tests are for Lyme disease, nutrient testing and allergy testing.

Most of Kapalka’s Amish clientele learn about her storefront via word of mouth. However, she has had articles from satisfied customers written about her business in a local newspaper published by the Amish community. “The newspaper is kind of like their version of Facebook. Members of the community can write articles telling people about helpful services.”

One of Kapalka’s customers from the Amish community turned to Any Lab Test Now to find answers to ongoing muscle aches, pain and memory issues. Neighbors referred him to Any Lab Test Now for its superior reputation, after his first test for Lyme disease came back negative. Kapalka ordered a new Lyme disease test for this customer and his results came back positive. She referred him to a local Lyme disease specialist where he received the help he needed.

Another customer from the Amish community came in complaining of hair loss. She wanted to get her zinc levels tested to see if this was the source of the problem. Kapalka’s team was able to educate her on Any Lab Test Now’s test offerings. She opted to take the Cellular Nutritional Health test, which measures your body’s ability to absorb 32 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other essential nutrients. Her results indicated she had 12 nutrient deficiencies and Kapalka recommended she visit a local doctor to receive care.

Employee Knowledge and Workplace Satisfaction Enables Sales Growth

One of the keys to the success of her Any Lab Test Now unit is her employees. Kapalka’s two-person staff is highly informed about the storefront’s inventory of tests. Her team can advise customers who are coming in for one specific test on other options that may be useful to add to their lineup. “Any Lab Test Now doesn’t give medical advice, but being knowledgeable about our inventory and being able to discuss test options with customers is a great tool for generating repeat business,” Kapalka said.

Kapalka credits treating her employees well with their long tenure at her location. One of her loyal staff is preparing to retire, and Kapalka is beginning the difficult search for a new team member. “The initial hiring pool was disappointing. There are a lot of young people who have a hard time being trainable,” Kapalka said.

Amish Lifestyle Helps Kapalka’s Family Succeed

When her daughter, Mia, was diagnosed with autism, Kapalka decided she needed to make some changes on the homefront. She made the decision to homeschool her daughter and implement a nutrient-dense diet to help her family conquer the diagnosis. Healthful living and natural remedies always sparked Kapalka’s interest. At one point she was a vegan and practiced bodybuilding with her husband, Jim Reiff. Her daughter’s diagnosis prompted Kapalka to conduct extensive research to find a diet that suited her family’s needs. The Amish farmers in Lancaster County made the family’s transition to a nutrient-dense, organic, diet easy. Relying on simple, all-natural foods from her Amish neighbors has helped improve her family’s health.

Bolstered by the impact nutrition had on the health of her family prompted Kapalka to pursue her passion by getting certified as a health coach, and she is working to become a licensed naturopath. “Seeing Mia’s health improve tremendously from dietary changes encouraged me and inspired me to pursue integrative health.”

Learn more about a business model that encourages customers to take charge of their health. Visit Any Lab Test Now for more information today.

Kelli Hammack’s hard work, dedication and persistence has enabled her Any Lab Test Now location in Lubbock, Texas, to reshape healthcare in the college town and generate record-breaking sales.

Hammack started her career at Any Lab Test Now, one of the fastest growing healthcare franchises in the nation, as Manager in 2011.  Initially, she worked as the store’s sole employee Monday thru Saturday.  Although the long hours and heavy workload took a toll on Hammack, she jumped at the chance to buy the franchise when the unit’s owner opted to sell in 2015. “I loved my work at Any Lab Test Now, even though I was there from the time the store opened to when it closed every day. I thrive on that kind of work — that’s just how I roll,” Hammack said. “Owning my own store was terrifying, but I love dealing with people and helping people, so I went for it.”

Successful Marketing Drives Business

Working as a manager at the Lubbock location for four years gave her the skills and expertise to keep the business afloat, but Hammack is not a person to accept the status quo. She wanted her store to maintain its existing clientele and generate new business. “To grow my customer base, I hit the pavement,” Hammack said.

Unhappy with television advertising, Hammack implemented a marketing campaign with sweet treats as the star. She took small bags of candy with her card attached to area businesses. She visited doctor’s offices, car dealerships, lawyers and local restaurants, among other places. Shortly after hitting the pavement, Hammack’s business tripled. “My marketing approach offers no stress, no pressure. I’m not the type of person who gets in people’s faces,” Hammack said. “If you want to sit in the office and let people come to you, that’s fine, but if you want to make a successful business, you have to put yourself out there.”

Contrary to popular belief, it is common for doctor’s offices, when they learn about Hammack’s business, to send cash-pay patients to Any Lab Test Now for blood work. “You’d be surprised how many doctors will send cash-pay patients. If a doctor cares about their cash-pay patients, they tell them about our services because their regular labs can’t offer tests at our low prices.”

Hammack also took advantage of the unit’s location in a college town. She was able to make a key contact in Texas Tech University’s athletic department, resulting in the school sending all of its athletes to her location for required sports medical tests, like sickle-cell anemia. College students respond to Any Lab Test Now’s business model because it offers easy, no appointment required testing without a doctor’s prescription. “STD testing is an essential offering in any college town,” Hammack said. “College students value privacy and affordable pricing. If necessary, they can take their results to a doctor.”

Hiring Strategy Ensures Employee Satisfaction

 Working from open to close was in Hammack’s wheelhouse, but she knew she would be unable to open future locations if she didn’t find a workable hiring solution. To find reliable employees, Hammack relies on an internship strategy started by the former owner of her location. Hammack’s storefront offers five-week internships to local students who attend Vista College. Rules for the interns are strict, and they require supervision. But, when each student’s five-week tenure ends, Hammack can be certain she’s offering a capable and reliable person a job. “I don’t hire from the street. I train the interns myself for five weeks. If I like them, I’ll hire them on the spot when their internship ends,” Hammack said.

Growth Mindset Fuels Success

 Having a reliable hiring strategy allowed Hammack and her co-owner and husband, Scott Hammack, to aim for expansion. Recognizing the value of a location in a college town, the pair made the decision to add a new location in the home of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. Their College Station unit is slated to open in March 2020. Hammack and her husband also purchased the Kingwood, Texas, territory for expansion. Hammack’s reliable staff enabled the pair to relocate to 11 acres in Buna, Texas. “I’m nine hours from Lubbock, three hours from College Station and three hours from Kingwood,” Hammack said. “Having confidence in my staff has allowed me to live on the farm I never knew I wanted.”

Family Fuels Growth

Having help from her husband propelled Hammack’s daughter to join the Any Lab Test Now staff. Hammack’s daughter, Amber Lawson, is currently training at the Lubbock store and will work full time at the new College Station unit when it opens. To give her daughter the opportunity to build a solid career at Any Lab Test Now required Hammack to take over full-time care of her two grandchildren, ages 5 and 7. Many grandmothers might balk at the responsibility, but Hammack thrives in the busy atmosphere. “I’m the busiest I’ve ever been my entire life,” Hammack said. “I’m taking care of my grandchildren and my husband while managing the business. But I can work from home and I love it.”

Combining Franchising and Farming to Maintain Balance

Hammack lives on her farm in Buna with her husband and granddaughters. When she is not making calls to manage her Any Lab Test Now business, Hammack is outside running her farm. The busy family’s farm boasts 26 chickens, 14 rabbits, three dogs and an impressive garden. “We garden and tinker and love it,” Hammack said. “I’m originally from New York and when my husband moved me down here, I didn’t think it was for me. But I love it.”

Learn more about finding a unique business model that promotes innovation. Visit Any Lab Test Now to find out more information today.

Alex Lamkin is a young entrepreneur and father of five who figured out before the age of 30 that it is possible to find a career that offers financial independence and flexibility. He  discovered a solid financial future, with a schedule that allows him to spend time with his children, as a franchisee for Any Lab Test Now, a retail lab testing company that offers its customers direct access to thousands of tests.

Lamkin was introduced to Any Lab Test Now’s unique concept by Bill Loe, the owner of APPS Paramedical of Minnesota, where he worked as a life insurance physical examiner. When Loe opened his Any Lab Test Now storefront in Plymouth, Minnesota, he relied on Lamkin’s outgoing personality, energy and skill every step of the way. Lamkin started working at Loe’s Any Lab Test Now location as a phlebotomist and office manager, eventually moving to sales and operations.

During his early years with Any Lab Test Now, Lamkin was able to learn the business from the ground up,and appreciate the value of entrepreneurship.  At the same time as Lamkin was building his career under Loe, the young phlebotomist was growing his own family on the home front. When Loe was ready to retire in 2014, Lamkin was not yet 30 years old. He had two young children and his wife, Melissa, was expecting twins. Despite the hurdles of owning and operating a business with a young family, Lamkin understood the value of the Any Lab Test Now concept. The couple made the decision to come up with the financing to take over Loe’s location.

“When I signed on to take over the business it was more than just about me. I knew a lot was relying on me to be successful. It was not easy. Initially, I would eat, work, feed the babies and sleep,” Lamkin said. “I was able to rely on Any Lab Test Now for support, and my wife and I were confident the initial investment would pay out in the long term.” 

Lamkin is working hard to give customers the power to answer critical medical questions. “Any Lab Test Now offers a unique business model with a retail storefront that puts an emphasis on customer service,” Lamkin said. “I like being able to help customers take control of their own health.”

Lamkin’s Minnesota storefront is generating impressive sales results in the rapidly expanding healthcare market. His storefront is projected to earn $500,000 in systemwide revenue this year. Since taking over the business, Lamkin has increased sales by $50,000 each year and has been able to take time to appreciate his success. “A lot of companies sell tests online, but customers are forced to go to a third-party site to get blood drawn. Any Lab Test Now is a one-stop-shop. We put a face on the business — having a brick and mortar storefront is invaluable.”

Lamkin credits his attention to customer service for his location’s achievements. When he trains new employees, Lamkin stresses the importance of learning customer names and treating them with respect. “It’s essential to remember we are providing a retail health care service, which is a different mindset than most clinical settings. At Any Lab Test Now, the customer is always right,” Lamkin said.

Having a flexible schedule is essential for this father of five. Lamkin met his wife during college and the couple married in 2007. “It’s nice to be home as often as possible to help my wife. Flexible hours keep our family running. I don’t know how we would manage it if I had to work a rigid 9 to 5 schedule,” he added.

Despite a full family life and successful storefront, Lamkin is negotiating a lease for a second Any Lab Test Now location in the Minneapolis area. Startup costs for an Any Lab Test Now location range from $133,600 to $214,600 for the total investment, the company revealed.

“Any Lab Test Now credits the success of its brand to its franchisees who provide high-quality customer service to consumers and businesses throughout the country,” said Clarissa Bradstock, CEO of Any Lab Test Now. “Alex Lamkin’s dedication to his customers and his growth mindset are the qualities we strive to see in all of our franchisees.”

The entrepreneur picked the location for his new unit in a busy shopping plaza, based on foot traffic and nearby businesses. “The new location will be a draw for health-conscious consumers,” says Lamkin. “High-deductible health insurance plans are forcing patients to take control of their health. Any Lab Test Now offers our customers upfront prices and tests without prescriptions. People realize they need to shop around to get the most out of their money.”

When Lamkin is not building his career in the retail lab-testing business or enjoying time with his family, he fuels his soul by heading outdoors. Spending time outside fishing for northern pike or muskie helps him focus and refreshes his passion for customer service. “I always wanted to own my own business, I just didn’t think I’d do it before I was 30,” Lamkin added.

Learn more about finding a fulfilling career in the rapidly expanding healthcare market. Visit Any Lab Test Now to find out more information today.

Tom and Carrie Powers – Tulsa, Oklahoma

Customer service has always been Carrie Powers’ calling card. In fact, it was the handwritten thank you notes she sent as manager of a Coach retail store that resulted in a customer becoming her husband! Now going on 20 years of marriage, Carrie and Tom are setting the standard for Any Lab Test Now franchisees by serving as a training site to help others achieve the success they have in just two short years as franchise owners.  

“We get busier every day; our numbers are really good. We give really good customer service and a great experience,” says Carrie, who takes special pride in their growing bank of 5-star reviews (178 and counting).

But she admits that, initially, Tom had to convince her to jump on board. After a long career in medical sales for large corporations, Tom was ready to trade in mergers, acquisitions, and weekly business trips for nightly dinners with his wife and three kids and a business to call his own. From the beginning, he knew he wanted a lab business because he saw the need in the healthcare industry. But Carrie was an HGTV girl and was more interested in house flipping. That is, until she took the time to learn more about what Any Lab Test Now provides and the way insurance works. The clincher was when they visited a store in Dallas and saw firsthand what the day-to-day looked like.

“I thought, ‘Oh, we can totally do this. And we can do it really well and make it a great customer experience.’ I’m in,” she declared. And now their Tulsa store is a training site for other franchisees.

In addition to creating a great atmosphere with furniture, color, and signage, Carrie handles operations and focuses on what she does best — provide great customer service, and Tom focuses on what he does best — sales and marketing. Together, they work to offer a welcoming, non-judgmental experience for their clients, even if it means coming in after hours.

Now the Powers, named Tennis Family of the Year for Oklahoma by the US Tennis Association, have more time to play tennis together.

Best Advice: Stay in your lane. Pick your battles. Give each other time to do your own thing so you don’t get resentful. You both need time for yourself.

Mark and Julie Frost – Springfield, Missouri   

Their hometown of Springfield, Missouri, may not be big (pop. 167,376) but that hasn’t stopped Mark and Julie Frost from building one of the Top 5 performing stores in the Any Lab Test Now family. When you treat people like family, you can count on 70 percent of your customers being repeat business.

When the Frost’s cashed out a 401K more than 10 years ago to invest as the 10th franchisee of Any Lab Test Now, some might have called it risky. But after 30 years traveling all 50 states as part of the pharmaceutical industry, Mark had grown weary of corporate America, had plenty of contacts with hospitals and doctors, and could see the appeal for direct access lab tests, exclaiming to Julie, “We have to do this!”

In the last 10 years, the market has created an even greater demand for direct access lab services, and the Frosts haven’t looked back. Three years ago, Julie left her teaching job to run the front desk while Mark works in the back, often seeing 50–60 customers a day. They have chosen to run the store completely on their own, although all four of their children have spent time helping, making it a true family business.

The Frost’s run a tight ship, right down to Mark being able to rattle off their overhead price per minute daily ($1.18). But that goal-oriented nature keeps them on track for success with an eye toward the future when they plan to enjoy more time off.

“The most rewarding thing is to see how far we have come in building this, that we can compete in sales with stores in big cities, and that we are considered family by our customers,” said Mark. “Success is our mindset.”

Best Advice: Set daily goals together. Look for the good and find a way to keep it fun. Whatever you choose in life, it has to be fun or it’s not worth doing.

All of our power couples agree one of the best things about owning an Any Lab Test Now with their spouse, is that together they are doing important work that is making a real difference in their customers’ lives.