Has Esther Gokhale conducted business in any other line of business besides the Gokhale Method?
Gokhale_Method Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
Parent or Predecessor.* Esther Gokhale, our founder and president, is our predecessor and has conducted classes in yoga and posture since at least 1980. She began teaching classes dedicated to posture for back pain in 1992 and was certified to teach Aplomb®, a branded form of posture instruction, in 1993. Beginning in approximately 1996, Ms. Gokhale began researching and developing the distinctive style, content and pedagogic approach that became the Gokhale Method. The name Gokhale Method was trademarked in 2010. In April, 2008, she published the book & Steps to a Pain Free Back, and at that time began teaching group courses in posture to relieve back pain. Other than as disclosed above, Ms. Gokhale has not conducted business in any other line of business, and has not offered franchises in any other line of business. Ms. Gokhale entered into Affiliate Program Agreements, described immediately below, which may be considered the offering of franchises in this line of business.
Our parent corporation, which owns all interest in us, is Gokhale Method Enterprise, Inc. ("GME"). GME is located at 3790 El Camino Real #1033, Palo Alto, CA 94306. GME is wholly owned by Esther Gokhale. GME is engaged in the business of teaching the Gokhale Method to individuals and to employees of corporations and of operating a business of the type being offered herein. GME is responsible for developing and enhancing the Gokhale Method, and it also conducts research and product development and is the source of products bearing the Marks and that franchisees may purchase, or be required to purchase from us, in connection with the operation of their franchise. GME also provides certain administrative and marketing services to us in exchange for a fee. GME does not and has not offered franchises in any line of business.
Affiliate Program Agreements. During the period 2009 to February, 2011, Ms.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–10)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 Gokhale Method Franchise Disclosure Document, Esther Gokhale, the founder and president, has a history of teaching classes in yoga and posture since 1980. She specialized in posture for back pain in 1992 and became certified in Aplomb®, a specific posture instruction method, in 1993. By 1996, she began developing the unique style, content, and teaching approach that would become the Gokhale Method, which was trademarked in 2010. In April 2008, she published the book 8 Steps to a Pain Free Back and started teaching group courses in posture to relieve back pain.
The FDD states that, other than her work in yoga, posture, and the development of the Gokhale Method, Esther Gokhale has not conducted business in any other line of business. However, from 2009 to February 2011, she offered "Affiliate Program Agreements" that allowed individuals to teach the Gokhale Method for a $3,000 training fee and a fixed payment per student. These agreements might have been considered franchises, and in 2012, Gokhale Method offered these affiliates the option to convert to a franchise or end their relationship with the company. All affiliates have since either converted or ended their relationship, and no new affiliate agreements have been offered since 2011.
For a prospective Gokhale Method franchisee, this information provides insight into the background and experience of the founder, Esther Gokhale. It also clarifies that while she has focused primarily on posture and back pain relief, she did briefly offer affiliate programs that could be interpreted as a form of franchising. This historical context may be relevant to understanding the evolution of the Gokhale Method business model and the current franchise offering.