Geared Up Issue 1 2018 | Page 39

to his interest in marketing/advertising and a love for sports,” said Roberts Jr. “Additionally, he had previous experience in the franchise model-based business and planning/executing events. These traits, along with others, made him the ideal candidate for this inaugural marketing internship program.” Landis typically came into the Sunshine Fitness Management office three days a week and worked between 15 and 20 hours. He was provided a bi-weekly stipend, a complimentary six-month membership to PF® and access to all internal and external company-sponsored events. When asked what advice he would give to another intern, Landis said, “Work hard and don’t be lazy. This is the real world, not just some class that you need to write a paper for. Everything has a purpose and is important in the long run.” The internship program that Landis participated in was so successful it ran beyond its initial summer term, concluding at the end of 2017. Sunshine Fitness Management has since decided to replace the intern slot with a full-time position, but notes that internships are helpful for students, as well as business owners. “With a one-person marketing department and the continual growth of our franchise, we saw an opportunity to bring a college student on board to see where and in what capacity the department could grow,” said Roberts Jr. “The program was extremely beneficial in allowing us the opportunity to have a fresh, outside perspective on our marketing efforts. Club analysis and marketing trends were able to be analyzed, which provided us with additional insight to the performance of our clubs and how marketing correlated to these efforts.” Taymax Group Acquisition Recruits for Real Estate Another franchise group providing internships to local students is Tim Kelleher’s Taymax Group Acquisition, LLC. Taymax’s program started in 2010 and has been nothing but stellar since its inception. “The first intern we hired, Ryan Wholey, turned into a real success story,” said Kelleher. “Ryan interned with us in the summer of 2010 and came on board full time in the spring of 2011, right after graduating from Middlebury College in Intern Joe Frake, Bates College Class of 2019, center, poses with Taymax President Tim Kelleher, Class of ’94, left, and CFO Sean Cahill, Class of ’06. Vermont. Ryan served in several different operational roles with Taymax, learning the ins and outs of our business. He is now our director of real estate.” Kelleher notes that it has been extremely Continued on page 38 YOU’RE MORE THAN JUST A CUSTOMER ... ABC Financial would like to thank Planet Fitness ® for being our valued customer, partner and friend. We are grateful for the opportunity to serve you and meet your software and payment p