Sean and Sarah Toney are excited to announce the opening of their new ANY LAB TEST NOW® franchise in St. Louis, Missouri. This marks the eighth location for the franchise system and the first outside of Texas. Since opening their first location more than 10 years ago, Sean and Sarah have seen firsthand the growing demand for direct access lab testing. With the outbreak of COVID-19, this need has only increased, as patients look for alternatives to long wait times and high insurance costs.

“Sean and I are grateful we secured multiple territories within the ANY LAB TEST NOW® franchise system which provided us the opportunity to be multi-unit franchise owners over the past decade,” says Sarah. “We saw that there was a need in the community for direct access lab testing. We have a passion for people to know their health. We know that we will continue to be financially secure as business owners, and that means more flexibility and freedom and the best part, we are working together!”.

We are so proud of the Toney’s and could not be more excited to see them grow! Sean and Sarah are committed to providing quality lab testing services to their customers and are excited to bring their franchise to the St. Louis community.

Read more about the Toney’s expansion in this article published by Fanchising.com

How it Started – Launching My Any Lab Test Now Location

We’re always curious as to how our franchisees were first introduced to Any Lab Test Now. Michelle says…

“Before my entrepreneurial journey began, I managed my husband’s surgical practice for 28 years. I’ve been in and around medicine for a long time and was familiar with certain tasks like drawing blood and things of that nature. But eventually, I decided I wanted to own a business myself. And so, I signed up for these franchise notifications that would show up in my inbox. Most didn’t appeal to me, but months later I got a notification from Any Lab Test Now.”

“As I looked into the concept, I was thinking, ‘Oh, I can draw blood. I can do this. It would be perfect for me.’ So, I began the process of looking at the business model and then went to my Discovery Day with the brand. When I first launched my Any Lab Test Now location in San Marcos, I managed the business in the background. On occasion, I would go in and draw blood for drug tests, things like that, especially when somebody had to go on vacation. It was difficult to find the time because I was still managing my husband’s practice, which was a full-time operation.”

Michelle Explains a Sudden Plot Twist!

Any Lab Test Now Vice President of Business Development, Terri McCulloch and Franchise Owner, Michelle Schlotter

How did your Any Lab Test Now location end up moving to a new city?

“My husband and I were approached by the local university in San Marcos – Texas State, as their campus bordered the backyard of our business. They’d been asking us to sell our building to them and, finally, one day they offered enough money to make it worthwhile. My husband really likes to fish, so we moved down to Corpus Christi on the Texas Gulf Coast. But when we moved, I still wanted to have my own job and began the process of opening up a new Any Lab Test Now franchise. It took some time trying to find the right location. At one point, I was looking at 22 locations and a 37-page lease, and it almost became overwhelming. But I ended up finding a great space in a very good location and the business is doing very well. My role now is much more active. I work here, do the blood draws and the drug tests. I get to talk to patients and I’m very hands on – especially running the business side of things.”

“Everybody here is pretty happy and likes to share their story with us. And so, it’s been a great way for me to network with people, because I get professionals, physicians, I get lawyers, I get business owners, I even just had a jewelry maker come in. So, it’s been a really great networking opportunity for me to find friends and meet the community.”

Why Any Lab Test Now Was the Right Choice for Michelle

What Aspects of  Your Any Lab Test Now Business Do You Enjoy?

“Number one, I no longer have to deal with insurance. I don’t have to file claims anymore and I love it. To me, it’s like freedom that I’ve never had before. If you’ve ever worked in the insurance field, which I did, it’s time-consuming work. With Any Lab Test Now, patients are free to walk right in. We can explain our straightforward pricing, what they’ll have to pay, and process the lab tests. We then provide the results directly to the patient with a fast turnaround, which is unusual. Some patients that go through their doctor’s office may not get their test results for weeks. I really like this business because our customers are friendly. They aren’t coming to Any Lab Test Now because they have to. They’re coming here because they want to.”

How Any Lab Test Now is Advancing Healthcare Consumerism

Tell us about your thoughts on the rise of healthcare consumerism

“We’re moving towards a health and wellness lifestyle where we’re no longer interested in waiting for the doctor to tell us what they think we should be tested on. I think it was back in 2012 that I attended a Medical Society meeting. We sponsored a dinner for 50 or so physicians and presented the Any Lab Test Now business model as an option for them to handle referrals for us. And they were very upset at the concept of a direct-to-patient lab request, which they saw as stealing their patients. They didn’t like it. We clarified that we’re not taking away their patients, we’re just running the lab. We work in tandem together. But here’s something I do hear from the patients, physicians, and nurses themselves that come into our Any Lab Test Now location. Most of them don’t have insurance – you’d be surprised how many medical people don’t – and they like the idea that they can come in here and get things done discreetly. They appreciate the freedom of choice. They also recognize that when you go through insurance that it’s going to be a higher cost for them. Patients appreciate that they can just walk in here, ask me about certain panels, and order the retail lab tests they need.”

On What the Future Holds…

Are you proud to be an Any Lab Test Now owner?

“Yes, I am. Looking back, I have made my own business. I made my own job. I like that. I just have too many skills to be stuck in a cubicle in an office somewhere. I’m just not going to do that. So, this is my future. Owning an Any Lab Test Now franchise is where I chose to be. I’m blessed. In my eyes, I think everybody dreams of having that job that makes them feel good and fulfilled. And I feel like I have that.”

What does your future look like?

“Eventually, I see me and my husband traveling and doing quite a bit of it. That’s my goal – to see the world. We’ve already done a good deal of it, but right now it’s kind of been halted because of Covid. We want to continue traveling once it becomes safer to be everywhere. That’s it mostly, besides keeping this place going for many, many more years to come – until I decide it’s time to retire.”

How to Begin the Second Act of Your Career

We wanted to know how Linda’s career path led to Any Lab Test Now. So, we asked!

“I have a master’s degree in blood banking and was the only specialist in this big area around Abilene, Texas. I was working in transfusion services as a supervisor but was only paid to be part-time. That worked for me because I was raising my children, but I became an “empty nester” after my children went on to college and other things. I was down and feeling like I needed to do something different. I requested full-time status, but they refused so I just up and quit.

My husband is a physician, and he knew that if I didn’t do something I would end up driving him crazy! And so I started researching franchises. My husband’s background as a business owner has given him perspective on what it takes to own and operate one. But I was more apprehensive and unsure, until I found Any Lab Test Now. I know it sounds silly, but it fit me so well that it felt like divine intervention. With my husband’s background, I knew what the demand for lab testing looks like. I got so excited that it became the only thing I cared about.”

How Any Lab Test Now Changed Me 

Sometimes, our business opportunity can be good for your personal growth.

“Becoming an Any Lab Test Now owner has been an emotional, wonderful thing. It’s made me a different person. I used to be shy, but I became more extroverted. I got out of my comfort zone. I didn’t know much about marketing, but it turned out to be the most wonderful experience I’ve ever had in my life. I just love the overall effect business ownership has had on me. It made me evolve as a person. And at my age, you aren’t sure it’s possible. Now the marketing aspect of the business is my favorite part. I just really enjoy the connection with everybody. It’s not like selling a product, you’re offering your services.”

Was there a moment when you realized becoming an Any Lab Test Owner was your calling?

“Yes, I remember the exact moment—it’s when I paid my husband back for all the money that he loaned me to get the business started. It was about three years in when I started seeing the profit beyond break even. We passed that benchmark and money was still coming in. That was exciting!”

When you look at the success you have now, can you describe how that feels?

“Okay, first of all, I’ve never needed the money. I have a husband who’s a physician who makes a good living. I’ve always been provided for, and he took care of everything. But he’s been slowing down because he’s close to retiring. It’s such a wonderful feeling to be able to sustain an income. It’s given us such a sense of financial security, and it’s been such a wonderful thing for our family.” 

A Day in the Life of an Any Lab Test Now Owner 

Tell us about the in-store experience at your location?

“The goal is pretty straightforward. For any customer who walks in, we strive to develop a relationship that’s worthy of friendship. When they trust us, we build our reputation in the community. I am beyond honest with them, probably too much, but I will never take advantage of them. I want them to know they can trust me because trust in medicine is everything.”

A Whole New World of Opportunity

How have you changed since opening your location?

“I have gained so much self-confidence as a woman, as a person, and as a business owner. I am less risk averse, less frightened of everything. I have to have more overall confidence. I was scared to fail, but the opposite happened. With Any Lab Test Now’s business model, I don’t see anybody failing unless they want to. The entire brand has such a great support mechanism. I got the attention I needed from the very beginning. “

Is Any Lab Test Now is a powerful business for women who want to make their mark and do something?

“Oh yes. Any business where you’re doing all this, you’re learning all this, it’s going to help you grow as a woman, as a person. It’s going to put you in some uncomfortable places, but you’ll learn how to handle things. You’re going to have to learn to how to handle a difficult customer, how to keep your employees honest, and how to market against the competition. It helps you grow in so many positive ways. Also, it’s made me more independent. And maybe also a bit prideful because I love what I’ve accomplished and I’m very proud of myself.”

Advice Directly From an Any Lab Test Now Owner

Is there anything else that you think would be important for a prospective franchisee to know?

“Yes. Don’t be afraid. Put that fear away because this thing is going to be successful. There are always factors, right? Your overhead might be higher than mine because I have a cheaper market, but you’re going to meet that overhead really quickly, more quickly than you think. The people I know who are looking at franchises are terrified of not making that return on investment. I tell them that’s just short-term thinking. You’re going to be fine and overcome that barrier. Some of the other concepts may not have as bright a future, but this medical one is a golden opportunity. And, you know, in the beginning, we were afraid that no one would want our services because insurance was going to take over the world. But it’s all worked out fine. From an owner’s standpoint, Any Lab Test Now seems to be deflation-proof and recession-proof.

How You Can Begin Your Own Journey 

Let’s Connect!

If you’re looking for a sound business opportunity with the potential to change your life for the better, 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.