Tips From the Husband and Wife Who Built a Multi-Million-Dollar Small Business Empire

A Perth husband and wife team whose rags-to-riches success story saw them climb to the top of Australia’s competitive beauty market, say mindset is critical in securing the best franchisees.

Rizwan and Sandrine Syed are now considered beauty industry and small business experts – after creating their multi-million-dollar eyebrow shaping business with no bank loan, just $5000, and a great deal of hard work and persistence.

But they attribute much of their success to a team of loyal, open-minded staff who believe in their business model.

“The mindset is as important as the skill,” said Mrs Syed.

“We found our successful franchisees all possessed the capacity to grow,” she said.

“They are open minded – like us. We all need to realise we don’t know everything, be able to accept criticism, challenge our thought processes, and learn from our mistakes.”

The Syeds own 30 Zubias Threading stores across Perth with plans to expand nationally and into the Pacific Region – and have 10 franchise outlets, all run by long-serving employees.

“Our business is the cup that holds self-development,” said Mr Syed.

“Find a team of loyal staff and they’ll remain loyal to the franchise model. Your people are the franchise – and they need to have a passion for what they do,” he said.

“All of my franchisees believe in our business model and wanted to upgrade their lifestyle. They have so much faith in the way it’s operated and the company itself – the purpose – that they wanted to sign up for it and wanted to live their lives doing this forever.”

Mr Syed likes to use an analogy comparing closed and open pistachios, to highlight the importance of mindset when recruiting.

“If you have an open mindset – the open pistachio – you can overcome any dysfunction within the team, and challenge the closed pistachios,” said Mr Syed.

“We like people to avoid debate or arguments, because nobody wins,” he said.

“There’s a new way of doing business, it’s less about the competition, separation and survival, and more about collaboration and community.”

“We need to be ourselves and opportunities with business will arise, it’s not about destroying the competition. The more together we are, the more likely we will stay together.”

To sustain that longevity in business, the couple said it’s essential to be picky when recruiting.

“Look for a person in the right industry with the right meaning,” said Mr Syed.

“For example, a chef who is passionate about food, we choose beauty professionals who have a passion for beauty – they love what they do. If you love what you do, you’re not going to burn out, and you can do it forever,” he said.

“If someone has reached the top of the ladder in our business, it’s time for them to have their own franchise, and we can help them with that.”

“I’m all about people, we cannot do it without our team. I swear by them and I put my heart and soul into them, so they return the same.”

The Syeds also aim to recruit franchisees with supportive partners.

“The last thing you need is someone putting doubts in your head – your partner must back you up,” said Mr Syed.

“It only takes one family member – and when the pressure comes they fall apart. Family support really helps,” he said.

Mr Syed said developing a model for a “typical” franchisee was also beneficial.

“Know their profile – ours are usually in their late 20s to late 30s with young families with supportive partners who also like being at the shop,” said Mr Syed.

“We even had one husband who learned how to do eyelash extensions, he was so passionate about the business,” he said.

For more information on a Zubias Franchise visit their website.