UK Franchisee Case Studies on whichfranchise.com

Bluebird Care franchise that ticks all the right boxes

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Bluebird Care franchise that ticks all the right boxes

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

With their Bluebird Care franchise generating a £1 million annual turnover, franchise owners Phil Miles and John Prendergast are ahead of target and thoroughly enjoy being able to run a profitable business that gives something back to their local community.

“Before we joined Bluebird Care we both worked as Business Development Managers of a pharmaceutical company,” reflects Phil (pictured above (R) with John). “John and I worked well together and wanted to have a better work/life balance so we discussed setting up a business of our own. As neither of us had run our own business we agreed to explore every route into self employment thoroughly.”

John attended a British Franchise Association (bfa) seminar in order to gain a better understanding of the franchise industry and the relationship between the franchise owner and franchisor, and came away feeling positive: “The thought of being able to invest in an established business model was very appealing as we would be able to hit the ground running.”

Care at home franchise Bluebird Care stood out because it had “great growth potential” through supplying an essential home care service to a growing aged population. Phil and John did investigate other care franchises, however Bluebird Care’s knowledge and professional presentation confirmed that this was the investment opportunity they had been looking for.

“We found Bluebird Care online and followed up our research with a visit to their head office in Petersfield to meet the team in person,” continues John. “We came away feeling positive and after cross referencing what head office told us with the existing franchise owners we decided to invest.

“We launched our franchise in November 2007 and our territory covers West Berkshire & Basingstoke,” affirms Phil. “We manage the business from one office and have 60 carers on the books that make 4,500 visits a month. Our aim by the end of the year is to increase the number of monthly visits to 6,000.

“We cannot fault the training or support. Before the launch of the franchise we attended a one-week intensive training course, which went through everything we needed to know in order to run the business effectively. Since then we have had ongoing support from Bluebird Care on a range of matters, from our initial registration to queries regarding the care policies and procedures. It is also helpful that every month, Bluebird Care notifies us of any changes in care legislation.

“We are very happy with our franchise because together we can share the workload, enabling us both to fit work around our family commitments.

Working in this industry is satisfying on both a personal and professional level as we have been able to build a reasonably large, profitable business while providing a service that helps people.”

Great opportunities with Platinum Property Partners franchise

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Great opportunities with Platinum Property Partners franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Simon and Anna Mackaness run a property investment franchise business from their home just outside Northampton, providing high-quality, all inclusive accommodation to working professionals.

Says Simon, a former insurance broking Director, "Platinum Property Partners is not a traditional franchise. Unlike most others, we own the business assets (the properties), and because the buy to let property market has constantly changing financial and legal parameters, I think the regular workshops and support system are much more important than they might otherwise be."

Anna, who previously worked in customer service roles for various businesses, adds, "We're very much in partnership with our franchisor and are referred to as ‘franchise partners’, not ‘franchisees’. PPP provides the initial mentoring, the systems, strategies and business models for us to follow and the ongoing business support, and we all contribute to improving the quality of the franchise - it's a two-way relationship."

On joining the franchise in mid-2007, Simon and Anna were mentored in their home town and taught how to source, acquire, refurbish, let and manage buy to let properties that they now operate as houses in multiple occupation (HMOs), renting individual rooms out to young working adults. Anna explains: "The properties must have the capacity for decent living, cooking and washing facilities. Five or six bedrooms, with two bathrooms, a kitchen and sitting room is our typical model, and it's very important to us that the communal areas are spacious.”

Simon and Anna have joined the Chamber of Commerce in Northampton, in order to meet companies who might need accommodation services for people relocating, working away from home Monday to Friday, or on 6 month contracts. PPP provides corporate brochures, postcards and advert templates for local advertising, and the couple have very good rental occupancy figures.

With busy lives, two children and horses to manage, it’s important that Simon and Anna can run their business from home and that the hours are flexible. Other than a rare emergency at one of their 6 HMOs, tenant viewings and other business functions can generally be carried out when it suits. Another benefit to them – and one of the key reasons they chose PPP above other franchise options - is the fact that the business is highly cash-positive from the outset, meaning they have been able to draw significant income from it.

Through PPP the couple have also invested overseas and taken advantage of a loan scheme with one of the founders, which gives a significantly higher rate of return than they could get elsewhere, giving additional income.

“There are great opportunities for investors in the UK at the moment and we’re concentrating our efforts on acquiring more properties and continuing to raise the standard of the HMO market”, says Simon. “There are still too many landlords out there not adhering to the correct regulations. We are proud to be part of a franchise that promotes working closely with the local council, fire service and Department of Environmental Health, and believe we are helping satisfy a real need for more people to have better quality accommodation.”

Sweet life after Redundancy with Auditel franchise

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Sweet life after Redundancy with Auditel franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Llanelli-based Denis Brennan joined Auditel, the cost and purchase management franchise, in September 2008.

Although trained as a lawyer, Denis became IT Director for a multi-national manufacturing business and worked for some years in Europe.

Why I chose franchising

“I had a desire to run my own business on an established model. I wanted to become master of my own destiny rather than to work for an organisation (or perhaps even a type of organisation) for which I had lost respect.”

Why I chose Auditel

“I liked the business model. It bore some relationship to my most recent role in employed life. Before taking redundancy, I was involved in a global telecoms outsourcing arrangement so I feel comfortable in the areas of IT and communications. Very significantly, I liked the people I met instinctively and immediately trusted them. “

How I raised the finance

“Through personal funding.”

The training and support I receive from my franchisor

“Even better than I had anticipated. The training encompassed client acquisition and management, professional marketing and technical training for our areas of operation.”

The challenges I have faced

“Organising my time. You must learn to make time, and plan to wear those hats that in a larger company would be worn by different people – MD, Sales, Finance, and Operations etc…! Both the franchisor and the Auditel network helped enormously in this area. Also there is a time lag between completing assignments and receiving fees so you have to build your business plan accordingly.”

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

“Decide which type of franchise would suit you. Research these sectors. Identify a number of franchisors and ‘interview’ them. Assess style, ethics, and personal chemistry, ie could I fit into their network? Take up references from existing franchisees. Build an honest business plan and then critique it and probably reduce your expectations. How much effort will it require? Can you afford the costs until they begin to reap rewards in income? Talk it through with your accountant, maybe work colleagues and especially your family – get their buy-in.”

Progress in the marketplace so far

“I have twenty-nine clients, which is ahead of plan. Turnover is just about on target, showing that some (too many) of these clients are not good enough! I treat this as a learning curve – must do better next year!”

My plans for the future

“To grow significantly and quickly but against set targets, taking into account the ability to manage the growth. Will I need joint ventures with other franchisees? Will I need telemarketing? I plan to employ my wife significantly in market research, data-entry and admin/book-keeping roles. At some point, I may consider employing staff. My Auditel franchise allows me to put one more person through training at no extra cost. On a personal level, as I live in Llanelli, I enjoy following rugby, in particular the Scarlets. When time allows I play golf!”

Early retirement gave way to new lease of life with Auditel franchise

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Early retirement gave way to new lease of life with Auditel franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Name: Gordon Brearley

Location: Newark

Why I chose franchising

I had already taken the plunge into self-employment as a banking industry consultant but this involved too much time away from home. I had investigated a car franchise but didn’t feel the sector was right for me. However, I was convinced by the franchising model and working with a proven system. This would enable me to ‘quick-start’ a business without having to develop a new concept.

Why I chose Auditel

Auditel stood out. It fulfilled my criteria for a professional opportunity that would allow me to maximise my earnings while working flexible hours from my home base. From a business point of view, the concept of saving costs is simple and attractive. It would be easier to sell than a discretionary purchase such as training. The main deciding factor was the calibre of their network and Head Office team who were friendly, professional and welcoming.

What I did before taking up a franchise

I had 20 years of senior management experience with NatWest/Royal Bank of Scotland.

How I raised the finance

Capital was available from an early retirement payment.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor

I arrived with no clear idea of how I would present the service to prospective clients. I left with the confidence to identify good opportunities and use various approaches for making contacts. I learned to explain what we offer in a valuable, compelling way, differentiating our service from that of competitors and close the sale. My objectives were more than satisfied!

The challenges I have faced

No single challenge stands out. It’s possible to sign clients and it’s possible to make useful savings to create income, so the business system works. I’m not very fond of filing and there is a lot of paper involved in the audit! This is hardly insurmountable and easily offset by the enjoyment I get from building long-term business friendships.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

Does the franchisor respond promptly to your enquiry? Are you impressed by their presentation, the quality of the people and the substance of the company? Investigate further to confirm first impressions and obtain sufficient information to allow you to make a commitment.

Progress in the marketplace so far

My colleague and I have recently been appointed as cost managers to the Doncaster Chamber of Commerce membership. We have just secured a water refund of £16,000 for a North Lincolnshire Hospice. We have reduced gas costs for a local cement works by over 40% .We have saved 36% on line rentals for a firm of accountants through alternative technology. For most clients, savings are rarely less than 20% across the board.

My plans for the future

I see myself spending most of my time on client recruitment and management, and joint venturing the analysis with colleagues. By maximising my personal strengths, I believe I’ll have a very good business with many clients and a strong income stream. On a personal level, I’d like to spend my winters in a sunnier climate; so eventually I intend to work from southern Europe for three months of the year, returning periodically for client meetings.

What makes a great Cartridge World franchisee?

Tue, 03 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

What makes a great Cartridge World franchisee?

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Ashley Smith opened his Cartridge World franchise store in June 2003. Looking back, it proved an ideal time of the year to open the doors for trading as it afforded Ashley time to get to know the business, get to grips with the technology and make the most of the marketing support available. All this stood Ashley in good stead before business picked up in the first September of trading.

Locating his store in the right place was a vital ingredient for success. Ashley identified a shop situated on the main Wickersley Road, at the better end of town, that also offered parking to the front of the store. “The location we found has been great for making it easier for customers to pop in and they can find parking locally. I’m glad that I invested the time in finding the right premises – there was a little luck involved too as this was the only shop large enough in the area I wanted to start up in!”

It was certainly a departure for Ashley as his previous career was spent in the construction industry but there have been no regrets. Six years on, Ashley employs 6 members of staff and having more staff has enabled him to effectively organise his working week to gain a work/life balance to spend time with his wife, two sons and daughter as well as deal with the development of his business.

I had the ambition to be my own boss but I didn’t want to miss out on spending time with my family. I’ve found that I can achieve a great balance in both areas now.”

Clearly the last 18 months have been tough for all business and this is no exception for Ashley’s store. Grit, determination and ensuring that the customer experience is first rate, have combined to keep turnover on track while he is pleased to reveal that profits are good and getting better.

The ‘green’ card has been important factor when competing against local rivals on the high street. Ashley explains: “Customers value the quality of the Cartridge World refills as well as having a genuinely cost-effective alternative to the manufacturers’ originals. Increasingly however, customers tell us they refill cartridges because they’re aware of the environmental impact of sending empty cartridges to landfill.”

Ashley puts the success of his developing business down to paying close attention to detail, being highly organised and focusing on customer service. In the last couple of years, he has concentrated on the retail side of the business but business to business sales are improving too and now account for around 35% of turnover.

He highly rates the marketing support that he receives from Cartridge World and in his 5th year of trading was delighted to have his success recognised by Cartridge World with an award for ‘Franchisee of the Year’ in 2008. Ashley’s healthy rivalry with another Cartridge World franchisee, Nick Fellows, played a part in helping Ashley win this accolade.

Ashley said: “Nick and I trained together in Australia before opening our respective franchises within weeks of one another. We talked almost daily sharing our experiences on everything from the technical aspects of refilling and remanufacturing to marketing the business. There has been a ‘mini championship’ each month to claim the higher position on the franchise league table.”

Ashley has also been commended for his input to a number of Cartridge World steering groups, and his support and training of other franchisees.

It’s good to know that while setting up your own business, you are surrounded by like minded people. Ashley adds: “The benefit of owning a franchise is that assistance is available whenever we need it. Cartridge World technical support is always available to provide any help needed. It is genuinely reassuring to know that you are not isolated and it’s great to be able to share ideas with other franchisees.”

Mark Holland, UK General Manager for Cartridge World, said: “Ashley has demonstrated great commitment to making his business increasingly successful. He’s nurtured a strong team, two of whom have been with him virtually since the business launched. The combination of efficient service and a commitment to quality have ensured the loyalty of his customers. Cartridge World Rotherham demonstrates industry best practice, and Ashley has shared his experience and knowledge to help many other franchisees grow their own businesses.”

Hear Two ChariSnack Franchisees Talk About Their Life Changing Experiences.

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Hear Two ChariSnack Franchisees Talk About Their Life Changing Experiences.

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

What do Franchisees really think about the ChariSnack franchise opportunity? We asked two franchisees to tell us about the experiences of owning a ChariSnack Franchise.

"I love the fact that you are in control of your own destiny. The Freedom, the flexibility and a passion to make it all work for you and your family." Ian Clark

Names: Ian Clark/Gemma Thorne
Areas: Newtown/Cardiff

Question: What motivated you to buy the ChariSnack franchise opportunity?

Ian Clark: I had been working in the I.T. industry for 27 years and became disillusioned. I was concerned about the stressful hours I had to work and felt my work life balance was not in a healthy state. Having researched many franchised opportunities the ChariSnack system appealed to me greatly for many reasons such as:

· Minimal paperwork.

· Ability to work from home inside normal office hours.

· No premises required.

· Professional support team providing ongoing assistance.

· Franchised businesses have a higher chance of succeeding.

· No bosses.

· No employees.

· No early starts and late finishes.

· Minimal stress.

Gemma Thorne: Having never run my own business before; having the support of a franchise was invaluable for me to achieve a successful business. Also, I was drawn to the ChariSnack franchise as through running my business I am able to raise money for the NBCS charity. The main motivation for me was the independence of working for myself; I feel that a greater sense of achievement is accomplished by being self employed.

Question: Are you pleased with the support you get from ChariSnack?

Ian Clark: Yes, the team are very helpful -- it feels like I have become part of an expanded family. The system from start to finish has been well thought out and covers all aspects of running your own Franchise.

Gemma Thorne: Yes, especially with regards to product development. When I took on the franchise over 3 and half years ago the product range was very limited compared to what products we have to offer our customers now. I think the extensive product range has increased sales and secured customers for me.

Question: Are you pleased with the product range/what are your favourites?

Ian Clark: Yes, and the beauty of it is that my customers are too! New products are being introduced periodically, which keeps the customers interested on an ongoing basis. I always feel as though I’m being listened to and appreciated.

Gemma Thorne: Yes the cakes, I like the chocolate chip crunchy cake in particular! The cakes have proved popular with my customers as well!

Question: What do you like most about the franchise and your business?

Ian Clark: The freedom it gives you and the fact the more I put in the more I get back!

Gemma Thorne: Meeting people, the variety of running all functions of the business, the flexibility that the business offers, and developing the business.

Question: What hours do you work?

Ian Clark: I usually work office hours, allowing extra time in the morning to ensure the van is prepared for the day/week ahead. Being your own Boss means that you can work smart and adjust your hours and routes accordingly.

Gemma Thorne: Monday - Fri office hours. This fits perfectly around my lifestyle.

Question: I understand that you don't need a business premises and that you don't need expensive advertising, does that mean your overheads are low?

Ian Clark: Absolutely, whilst premises might be a “nice to have” they really are not necessary; you can work out of a garage or a spare room easily. Planning your deliveries and stock rotation against demand means that you don’t need a large storage area. Most of my stock will always be on the van or in my 200 little shops on the customer’s premises. At the start, I did place an initial advertorial in my local press to create awareness, but since then it is so easy to find new customers further advertising has not been required.

Gemma Thorne: Yes they are; the main investment is the van you will get.

Question: I understand that ChariSnack has now donated over £350,000 to the National Blind Children's Society, how does make you feel?

Ian Clark: Everyone’s in a win/win situation. I’m running a successful business, the Franchisor is making money, the customers enjoy the snacks and are happy with the fact that they are contributing to a worthwhile cause. This makes you appreciate the franchise even more.

Gemma Thorne: Great, the fact that my business allows me to put something back into the community and help others is an excellent feeling!

Question: What happens when you go on holiday?

Ian Clark: BecauseI only started six months ago I deliberately planned not to take any significant time off during the first year in order to get the business off the ground. Next year I think it will be a case of taking either long weekends or making sure that I take holiday at quieter times of the year when most of my customers will be away like Christmas. In any case being you own boss and manager of your own time means that you can work flexible hours as and when required.

Gemma Thorne: I fill the boxes up more and let them know I will be back a week later to refill the boxes as I am off on holiday – this seems to work well.

Question: Do have plans to expand your business in any way?

Ian Clark: Yes, I still have plenty of areas within my area to grow through new locations, retail opportunities and where appropriate through vending. I have installed three vending systems already and plan to grow this in year two significantly. So far all is coming together!

Gemma Thorne: I have taken advantage of the vending machine opportunity, and currently have 5 placed. I aim to expand the business by installing more.

Question: Can you recall a specific experience about running a ChariSnack franchise where you were very pleased with your decision to join.

Ian Clark: In my previous role I had many tight deadlines to meet, such as writing twenty comprehensive Account Plans; the stress that this task created started to cause minor health issues, I am now fitter, leaner and happier in my work and look forward to each day with an enthusiasm for what it will bring.

Gemma Thorne: Taking advantage of the vending machine opportunity, although there is the cost of the machine, it increased profits almost immediately. It provides the customer with more choice and reduces operating costs, as I don’t have to revisit the machine as often because it

holds more stock. Vending is where people are spending!

Question: What advice would you give to someone thinking about buying a ChariSnack franchise?

Ian Clark: Do your research, make sure you speak with other Franchisees and take the plunge; if you put the effort into it the rewards from a financial and personal point of view will be very rewarding indeed, and don’t forget the charity aspect. Everybody will be benefiting from your efforts.

Gemma Thorne: Make sure that the franchise area you buy has high-quality growth potential. Ideally having a large city where you can concentrate on first and having areas you can expand to in the future. Ensuring that there is a high population in your area and having a variety of business parks is important; as I find these are good customers and easy to service. Primary schools are excellent customers too! Make sure you re-site any boxes that come out. Finally make sure you keep on top of all elements of the business, even the areas that you do not find as interesting.

The Original Poster Company gives stability back to new franchisee

Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

The Original Poster Company gives stability back to new franchisee

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchisee: Laurie Jennings

Territory: Colchester

I am pleased to announce that Laurie Jennings has taken over our Colchester franchise.

Having worked in the retail field for nearly twenty years running a busy newsagent, then with a change in her personal circumstances found herself being employed again which she hated.

Then moving to a new area to live, Laurie decided that she would again like to have her own business.

Laurie felt the best way forward was to take on a franchise where she would still be her own boss but have the back up of the franchisor as a safety net. After the many years in the newsagent trade she enjoyed the greeting card side of the business so felt this was the area to start looking at.

She found that the Original Poster Company [OPC] were advertising a suitable area for sale and after making some background checks and meeting everyone at OPC she felt that being a well established and proven company, OPC would be able to give her the backing that she needed to start all over again.

We welcome her to the company and believe that she will be able to improve on what is an already successful franchisee territory.

Changing her existence through franchising with Oscars

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Changing her existence through franchising with Oscars

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchisees: David & Dawn Jarvis

Territory: Hastings, East Sussex

Established date: August 1996

After 23 years with the Bank, the last thing I thought I would be working with was pets. Redundancy was on offer and the family saw this as the opportunity to try something different. Dawn also wanted her own challenge as being a housewife and mother to our three children meant that a joint business venture would change her existence.

With no real knowledge of the trade, pets, pet food or nutrition we were attracted by the potential of the concept. The benefits of purchasing power from a large organisation gave the smaller business more strength and combined with desire and determination we have never looked back.

This would have not been possible without the back-up support provided by Oscar and by following a proven system.

We have had the determination to succeed - working hard brings the reward which is reflected in our returns.

Benefits of franchising with Oscars evident in itself

Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Benefits of franchising with Oscars evident in itself

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchisee: Phill Lepp

Territory: Bracknell & Maidenhead, Berkshire

Date Established: January 2003

Oscar customer through to Nutritional Advisor - thanks to our two Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and an invitation to a local dog show.

I knew the benefits of franchising having worked as a Small Business Advisor for the Nat West Bank.

With 30 years of banking experience behind me I wanted to continue offering my customers a personal service and a good product. I was aware of a potential opportunity in my area and started talking to my Oscar supplier, other franchisees and then to Oscar. By gathering as much information as possible it became very clear that this was the way forward, and being a dog lover sealed the deal.

My wife, Jenny, helps with nutritional advice and promotional activities, while I handle administration and direct customer contact. We aim to work hard in our chosen areas and enjoy our work, while helping our family develop their own careers.

Over 12 years of success with Signs Express franchise

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Over 12 years of success with Signs Express franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Following a successful career in IT for a blue chip company, Nick Baxter-Sibley was tired of the inflexible approach of most large corporate organisations and wanted to establish his own business to provide a stable future for his family and reach his own career and business goals.

Following an initial meeting and a tour of the pilot operation, Nick & Marion were very impressed with the company and were awarded the management franchise to operate the Exeter territory in 1995. Nick said: “The business-to-business market interested us in particular and the sign industry itself is a thriving industry, with every business needing signs. After visiting Signs Express we decided to take our enquiry further and were delighted to take on the management franchise for our chosen area.”

Such is the success of the husband and wife team, they were also awarded the Signs Express Ambassador Award at Signs Express’ annual convention and also received industry wide acclaim with a highly commended award at the National Sign Industry Awards for imaginative exterior signage on behalf of the Met Office.

As technology and sign making practices continue to develop, Nick and Marion have invested in the latest digital printing equipment and also purchased new larger premises, fulfilling a greater number of jobs in-house and offering extended services to their customers. He said, “The support team at head office have been invaluable, providing advice and support on the different machinery available as well as negotiating group discounts and providing feedback and information.”

Razzamataz franchise owner embraces dream job

Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Razzamataz franchise owner embraces dream job

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

My name is Pam Dixon and I am 56 years old, I live in Carlisle with my husband and family. I have spent most of my working life dealing with the public and my main career was in hairdressing.

I really needed a complete career change and felt that I was not ready to retire, I started working for Razzamataz (Children’s Theatre School) in November 2007, doing admin work on a part time basis.

After working for a few months I became really interested in the concept of having a franchise.

I did some chaperoning at Razzamataz and really enjoyed it and started being a regular ‘classroom assistant’.

As my daughter had been involved in Performing Arts all of her life it seemed the obvious choice to have a ‘Razzamataz’ Franchise.

Durham Razzamataz was launched in April 2008 and I became the regular classroom assistant. I bought the franchise from Denise (managing Director of Razzamataz) in August 2008.

Working with children is so entertaining and no two days are ever the same!!

This really is a fabulous job, I feel lucky to enjoy my work so much and getting paid for it is an added bonus.

I do my office work from home and manage to spend more time with my husband and family.

It really is a dream job and I wished I had done it years ago.

I would encourage anyone to go for it as you are never too old!!!!

Jan Pro UK�s First Master Franchisee - Mark Sinderberry

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Jan Pro UK�s First Master Franchisee - Mark Sinderberry

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Welcome to the Jan-Pro team Mark, can you tell us a bit about your background?

Thank you, I’m looking forward to the challenge!

I was born in Sydney, Australia and moved to the UK six and a half years ago. I studied accounting at the University of Canberra and started out in KPMG Canberra before moving into commercial accounting roles. In 1995 I became Chief Executive at the ACT Brumbies Super 12 rugby franchise. I spent six years in this position before moving onto the position of Chief Executive at Saracens rugby club.

How have your previous roles prepared you for taking on the Jan-Pro master franchise in London?

My roles as Chief Executive at both ACT Brumbies and Saracens enabled me to gain an insight into how a brand can become established on and off the field. It also prepared me to deal with the lows of business as well as the highs. Saracens reaching the semi-finals of the Heineken Cup in 2008 and the sold out matches at Vicarage Road are the fondest moments of my time with Saracens.

What made you choose Jan-Pro?

I was initially attracted to Jan-Pro due to the fact that I will be a regional master which provides me with the opportunity to assist franchisees on deciding the investment level that best suits their particular situation. Through the provision of proven systems, support services, and training I can also assist to develop their own successful business. Jan-Pro is new to the UK market and I find the prospect of building the brand here extremely exciting.

My interest in franchising originated from colleagues who were engaged with franchises in the past. I find that the training provided by Jan-Pro is extremely thorough and helpful. I take great comfort in the fact that the information and systems are of the highest quality and that customers will be provided with a dedicated and motivated group of franchisees.

How do you expect the franchise to grow in the coming 12 months?

I hope that there will be in excess of 20 franchises in the West London area creating over 100 jobs.

My initial focus is purely on London and I hope to roll out Jan-Pro progressively within this catchment area. However, I believe ‘lots of little steps’ will be key to bringing Jan-Pro to other areas of the UK.

What is the level of investment involved in the business?

Each franchise unit will require an investment of £10,000, while my initial investment was £100,000.

How do you imagine/hope the business will be in 5 years?

In the next five years I hope that the business will spread to all parts of London, with each franchisee having successfully developed their own business replicating the proven system of quality and affordable cleaning.

Schooled for success - how Frances learned the skills for a Baguette Express franchise

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Schooled for success - how Frances learned the skills for a Baguette Express franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Go-ahead Baguette Express franchisee Frances Poole didn’t really need any lessons about the catering business when she took up the reins of her successful outlet in Greenock – she had already been a catering specialist in the education system for 21 years.

“I just love food,” the ebullient 40-year-old said in her busy town centre shop. “I enjoyed it for all the years I was making tasty meals for the school children and now it’s just a dream for me to get the chance to do it in my own business.”

Frances, who is married with one child, has been at the helm of the Baguette Express outlet in the Clyde Estuary town since December 2007. She now employs six staff at the West Blackhall Street branch of the national sandwich chain which is creating hundreds of jobs as it expands across the UK.

Frances decided to take the plunge and go into business on her own after meeting

Baguette Express owners Robin and Billy Stenhouse, who encouraged her with a programme of training and management advice.

It was a great milestone for the girl who had left school at an early age and whose first job was in a factory which made the lids for baked bean tins. She said: “I didn’t last more than a week there.”

But Frances found her niche when she landed a job at Greenock’s historic Tontine Hotel and was introduced to the world of catering. She worked in the seaside Gantocks Hotel – named after treacherous rocks out in the Firth of Clyde – and then settled into a job in the catering division of the town’s schools, rising to manager.

Frances said: “I really enjoyed my time working in the schools, baking cakes and other treats for the children. I love experimenting with food.”

It was the comprehensive range and variety of fresh foods on the Baguette Express menu which allowed Frances to give rein to her natural creativity. She said: “It’s hard work, of course, but I’m really enjoying being able to develop the business.

“I’m always out at the front of the shop and one of the great things for me has been the opportunity develop a real rapport with the customers. You get to know what your regulars like and it’s fun to be able to call out: ‘Your usual?’

“I’m also really impressed at the way Robin and Billy are always at the end of a phone if there are any issues you need to discuss. The chain is getting very big now – they have franchises all over the place – but they always seem to have time to listen to you. That’s very important.”

Redundancy helped me to see my future was franchising with Autovaledirect

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Redundancy helped me to see my future was franchising with Autovaledirect

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchisee: Richard Wagstaff

Location: Tadley, Hampshire

Franchise: Autovaletdirect

Why I chose franchising

I chose franchising as it seemed an ideal way to work for myself in a business that was already successful in other areas of the country. It allowed me to go into a business I knew nothing about knowing there would be a support network available to me

What I did before taking up a franchise

I was a Warehouse Manager made redundant for the second time, which made think about where I wanted my future to go

How I raised the finance

I used savings to finance the business opportunity

The training and support I receive from my franchisor

I have received valuable training from the franchisor and I am now confident to use that training to my best ability. The franchisor has been available from the very start and has always advised me what I needed to do and is always at the end of the phone if I have a question

The challenges I have faced

It is a business I have never been in before, so knowing what to do when was a challenge

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

Fully investigate everything you want to do, use the bfa website and whichfranchise, ask questions and only go ahead if you are confident it is the right thing for you

My plans for the future

To be successful running my own business and enjoy watching it grow

Urban Planter franchisees share their stories of success

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Urban Planter franchisees share their stories of success

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

The strength of all Urban Planters Franchise business lies in the client base being tied into long-term contracts (3-5 years). These contracts enable the Franchise to build up a portfolio of ongoing business, i.e. an invoice in Year 1 will be repeated quarterly over the next 3-5 years. New business gained in Year 2 will be added to this existing business and itself repeated for 3-5 years, and so forth in successive years.

This portfolio build-up has 3 positive advantages unique to the Urban Planters Franchise:

The Franchisee builds an ever-increasing income flow that is secured by contracts.

The Franchisee builds up an asset that can be sold. Currently Interior landscape businesses fetch between £1 and £2 per £1 of annual portfolio business, so a business with a portfolio of £250,000 will have a market value of between and £250K and £500K.

The Franchisee will reach a stage where all his overheads are covered by this secured portfolio income and thus gross profit goes straight to the bottom line.

From the above, it will be obvious why Urban Planters views the portfolio growth as the major indicator of the success of a Franchise. Provided the Franchisee can operate within his overhead targets whilst growing the portfolio he will achieve a successful and long lasting business. Portfolio growth is supported by income generated from outright purchases.

Examples

Franchise A

The two partners started in September 1996 operating out of a rural location and purchased a second territory in 1998. They have succeeded in establishing a £770k portfolio in 13 years. This covers the business overheads including 16 employees and personal drawings. This is despite neither having any previous sales experience.

When asked about how they did it, the answer was:

“The backup was excellent … you follow the format … it has worked for us, and we don’t see why it shouldn’t work everywhere”.

Franchise B

Opened in 1997 as a one-man operation but proved so successful that a second partner joined after 2 months. “Her time was better invested in the business, than working for someone else”.

This has certainly proved the case with annual turnovers in excess of £300k after 5-years trading.

Franchise C

Opened in late 1999 and operated by two ex-employees of a major competitor.

Results have always exceeded budget with a portfolio of £600k after seven years of trading and turnover running at an annual rate of £750k+.

Currently they employ 9 employees, utilising 6 liveried vehicles.

Franchise D

A 40 year old accounts graduate with extensive IT experience opened the franchise and commenced trading in November 2000 with first sales in March 2001. Since then he has purchased two neighbouring franchises and has established a combined portfolio in excess of £0.5M after 8 years of trading.

When asked by a journalist why he was confident in his business future, the reply was:

“The whole Urban Planters’ concept is so professional it gave me enormous confidence when dealing with clients”. He also cited that “when the client signs a contract there is money coming in the business on a regular basis, which I’m not wasting my time having to chase”.

Franchise E

Two friends began the business in March 2005 and had established a portfolio of £125K by the time they completed three years of trading. They have also gained a prestigious national Gold Award from the industry’s trade association, eFIG (European Federation of Interior Landscape Groups) for one of their prestigious installations in 2007.

Franchise F

Took voluntary redundancy from a senior position in an insurance company and began Trading in March 2007. Achieved a turnover of £75K in his 2nd year.

Franchise G

A husband and wife team who took voluntary redundancy from the pharmaceutical industry in 2007 and achieved a portfolio growth of £55,000 within 18 months. They have also gained a prestigious national Gold Award from the industry’s trade association, eFIG (European Federation of Interior Landscape Groups) for their first installation in 2007.

The above case studies demonstrate the success of an Urban Planters franchise and the potential rewards that can be generated. Net profit is variable and dependent on factors such as how much work is carried out by the franchisees themselves and how much through an infrastructure of employees, and whether the company is limited or not. Typically the net profit is between 20% and 40% once the franchise has been established.

Jo Jingles helps husband and wife team sing in tune

Tue, 06 Oct 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Jo Jingles helps husband and wife team sing in tune

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Liz Wilson was able to return to her favourite part of the country, Dorset, and work in partnership with her husband thanks to a franchise with music and movement group, Jo Jingles.

Liz has been running Jo Jingles Poole for over seven years now ably assisted by her husband Russell and their respective backgrounds make them the perfect team. Before becoming involved with children’s music groups, Liz worked in the hotel and catering industry, primarily teaching front of house studies. She thrives on being with people and interfacing with customers, whereas her husband’s former position as a Director at Barclays Bank, has equipped him with enviable business and administrative skills.

It was the Poole location however, which first attracted mother of two, Liz, to Jo Jingles.

‘We lived in Poole when we were first married and always wanted to move back, but thought it was something we would do in later life,’ explains Liz. ‘But when my daughter was eleven and moving school anyway we happened to see an advertisement for Jo Jingles franchises in the local paper. I met with Gill Thomas and was really inspired by her enthusiasm and knew she was someone I’d be happy to work with.’

And so the family moved to Poole. Jo Jingles Poole was born and Liz and Russell Wilson haven’t looked back. Jo Jingles provides a fulfilling and lucrative career for both of them, but the real profit for Liz is seeing how children develop through attending her classes.

‘It is wonderful to see how they progress and react to the music,’ says Liz. ‘I get a real buzz when I see little ones starting to join in clapping and jiggling along in time to the songs.’

Liz also enjoys the movement part of the classes, since her own love of music was fostered primarily thorough ballet classes she attended from the ages of 5-15. Her family was inherently musical. Her father played the piano and Liz sang in choirs with both him and her brother.

Liz’s wish to encourage a love of music in her own children was the route through which she became involved with music and movement classes in the first place. When her son was two she took him along to an independent class in Surrey, where the family was living at the time, and the class teacher eventually asked Liz if she wanted to help out.

Leading music classes proved the ideal job for Liz, utilising her teaching and customer interfacing skills and fitting in well with family life, an important factor since her husband was then away a great deal which meant she could not rely on him to help out with childcare.

Inevitably, Liz’s own children have developed a love of music. Her daughter has achieved grade 4 flute and her son made grade 5 piano.

All the class teachers were introduced to Jo Jingles by bringing their children to the classes and these children are now seeing the benefits now they are at school - one is playing the piano and another taking the lead role in the School Play.

‘It is results like this that make it all so worthwhile,’ says Liz. ‘At my daughter’s school they taught basic notation, at the age of 4, through walking around a room and she still remembers it vividly. We have a basic notation module in Jo Jingles classes that takes a similar approach and I like to think we are planting such strong musical memories and roots in the children we are teaching today.’

Jo Jingles Poole is now so busy that Liz employs three other class teachers and the four of them lead 45 sessions a week, many in nurseries. They are also regularly asked to run special Jo Jingles birthday parties.

Liz’s business success was recognised when she won the 2008 Jo Jingles Franchisee of the Year Award.

Living the dream job with Dream Doors franchise

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Living the dream job with Dream Doors franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchise Company: Dream Doors Ltd

Franchisee: Barry Kent

Franchise Territory: York

“Giving myself more leisure time will be one of the greatest measures of the success of this business, and is one of the main reasons I chose a Dream Doors management franchise.”

At 58, Barry Kent has had a rich working life. He has worked in management roles with leading international airlines, and is already a seasoned franchisee. After living in Australia for ten years, working in a management role with what is, today, Qantas airlines, he returned to the UK to start a family. He became a Signs Express franchisee, and ran a highly successful operation for 12 years. When the time was right, he sold his Signs Express business. Now, just four months into his new role as York’s first Dream Doors franchisee, he talks about his experiences with the UK’s leading kitchen facelift franchise.

There are hundreds of franchise opportunities out there. Why did you choose Dream Doors?

After I sold my Signs Express business, I played golf for about a year, and did the odd bit of franchise consulting. It was good for a while, but I soon learnt two things: I wasn’t ready to hang up my hat and sit by the fire, and I didn’t like working from home. I looked around at a number of franchise opportunities, and came across Dream Doors. It struck me as a really good proposition, but I didn’t jump straight in. First, I got a job with a major kitchen company, and worked for about a year on the design and sales side of the business to see if the sector was right for me. It was during that time I made my mind up there was a big market for kitchen makeovers. Because of my Signs Express experience, I knew what to look for in a franchised business, and Dream Doors met all of my requirements.

What are your intentions for the growth of the new business?

Firstly, I view Dream Doors as a management franchise. It was never my intention to do the actual fitting. Now my hope is to grow the business by taking on staff and fitters, while I oversee business operations, which is what I’m best at.

You’ve been running your business for four months. Were you worried about the state of the economy before you signed the franchise agreement?

Not really. Dream Doors’ products are right for the current market and will continue to be right. This is the type of business that works well regardless of the economic climate. During a recession, a lot of people don’t move house because it’s too costly and too risky. Instead they do various things to their current homes to upgrade them. The good thing about kitchens is that, although they get old and tired, structurally they are usually pretty much laid out the way people want. The carcasses are intact, and all that’s needed is a bit of sprucing up, and that’s precisely what we do.

What are the main selling points for customers, in addition to those you’ve just mentioned?

Kitchen facelifts are great for customers for a number or reasons. They’re environmentally sound because you’re not ripping anything out and throwing it away, they’re much quicker than a full renovation, they’re far more cost-effective, and the end result is a kitchen that looks fresh and new. It’s important to remember that most of our customers are mature and don’t want the upheaval of a complete renovation, which will often take more than a week. With Dream Doors, we are in and out in one or two days. The kitchen facelifts are also of a high quality, but they’re still less than half the price of a new kitchen.

Why did you buy a franchise, rather than set up your own business?

I’m a firm believer that you buy a business and stick with the plan. If you look at a business and think you could do it better, I would say: “don’t buy it!” A lot of potential franchisees buy a business and then want to change it. What’s the point in that? You’re paying for the formula, and the formula will give you success if you work at it. I think that franchisees who fail with a good franchisor are the ones who pay their money and think they’ve done the hard bit. The work starts after you’ve paid for the business. It’s your business and you have to make it into something valuable. The franchisor won’t do that for you. If the business model is right and the franchisee works hard at the business, it will be successful.

In that case, would you say that the Dream Doors business model right?

Absolutely. I know that Dream Doors has evolved over the last ten years, and is now a mature company. All of the right systems are in place and the support is well balanced. Of course, running my new franchise is not without its hiccups, but so far, any problems I’ve had haven’t been related to the franchise model – they’re the kind of teething troubles you get starting out in any business. The real difference is that, when I do run into problems, Troy and the Dream Doors team are always there to help. I really like that – having people on the end of the phone and feeling part of a team, while at the same time feeling as though I have a great deal of independence.

Did you get any training before you began operating?
Yes. I had two weeks of training in Gosport, which is where Dream Doors head office is based. After that I had training on the job from regional franchise support managers. It’s a staged learning process that gives you enough knowledge to begin trading with confidence.

Since you began trading, what has the sales activity been like?

It’s been a challenge, but for all of the right reasons. The business took off so well that my fitter has been flat out fitting when he could have been helping me get the showroom sorted out! I needed help there too. It’s a nice problem to have, though. Overall, my lead-to-sale conversion has been much better than I expected.

How did you market the business to get the leads?

Dream Doors supplied all of the necessary marketing material. All of the advertisements I used, I picked from a small catalogue of templates supplied by Dream Doors. Head office gave me exactly the right advice about where to place my ads to reach the right audience. This eliminated all of the trial and error scenarios associated with marketing a non-franchised start-up. If you start on your own, you’ve got to dream up new ads and you’ve got to think about where to place them. To be honest, I’d rather be thinking about how to get my kitchens fitted than worrying about whether my marketing is working or not. The comprehensive package laid on by Dream Doors has saved time, helped me to generate really good leads and subsequently boosted my conversion rate.

It’s sounds as though, overall, you’re happy with the decision you made to team up with the Dream Doors brand?

Definitely. It’s done more than live up to my expectations – it’s exceeded them. Things are going much better than I could have hoped. Of course, I’m only four months in, but I’ve been around long enough to know what starting a business is like, and this has been a lot less stress than I imagined. With Dream Doors, It’s all there. The plan works. It really is a business in a box.

In addition to the telephone and field support, do you have a manual to help you if you get stuck with something?

I do have an operations manual, which is comprehensive and thoroughly written. Everything is covered in the manual from finding fitters, advertising for staff, and interviewing techniques to contracts of employment, dealing with customers, carrying out quotes and completing orders plus lots more. You name it; it’s in the ops manual.

What happens when you reach a point of confidence and don’t need as much support?

Really, that’s a great place for both the franchisors and franchisee to be. A smart franchisor will quickly sum up the strengths and weaknesses of all of his or her franchisees. If you don’t need support they should let your run your business without interference – as long as your hitting your agreed targets of course. I know that when I want the help from Dream Doors, they are there for me, but they also give me space to run my own business. It’s a balancing act that Dream Doors has got right.

Did being represented by a recognised franchise brand help with funding?

Definitely. There’s no doubt in my mind that if I’d gone to the bank to ask for a loan to start a kitchen showroom, I wouldn’t have got it. But with an established franchise name behind you, one that’s been successfully operating and expanding for more than ten years, doors tend to open more freely.

What do you enjoy most about what you’re doing now?

I get a big kick from starting a business up. Both times I’ve been a franchisee, I’ve started in a virgin territory. I’ve found the showroom, found the clients, and got a great deal of satisfaction building something from nothing. It also gives me a good feeling to know that there will be at least three or four more people with jobs in York because of me.

The other thing I like is the sense that I’m responsible for my own destiny. At 58, I’m not ready to throw the towel in, and I don’t think I could ever work for anybody again, so I’m really pleased I’ve started something new. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not a workaholic, and I do want to get a lifestyle out of this business, such as nice holidays, and a few more rounds of golf, but it takes a while to get to that point. Giving myself more leisure time will be one of the greatest measures of the success of this business, and is one of the main reasons I chose a Dream Doors management franchise. My approach is: get the right staff, get the business geared in the right way, and in a year or two the business should tick over nicely whether I’m there or on holiday.

Redundancy investment in good hands with Oscars franchise

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Redundancy investment in good hands with Oscars franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

David and Karen Bass

Oscar Pet Food franchisees

Territory: Cheshire

Today, there’s more than one cat grinning in Cheshire - joined by the many dogs that have already sampled the benefits of Oscar. We too had something to smile about when we discovered their self-employment opportunity.

I spent 30 years on track with the railway network then redundancy called a halt to my career. At my age I was not ready to retire, even though there was an uncertainty as to what I could do. Going back on line I stopped at a franchise web portal and then it was all change. Amid so much information I was drawn to communicating with the public – I could relate to that! I then needed to find confidence in a product or service.

My first call to Oscar prompted an excellent response; everything was clear from the start. I had no illusions that it would be easy and, after establishing the quality of their products, I was assured that my investment was in good hands. While taking advantage of their reliable support, the rest is down to me and of course my wife, Karen, who is just the ticket when it comes to administration.

From strength to strength with Driver Hire franchise

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

From strength to strength with Driver Hire franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

It’s fair to say that Driver Hire attracts franchisees from a wide range of backgrounds and industries; acting, teaching, accountancy, the armed services and in Paul Dyson’s case – the police force.

When Paul, a senior police officer, retired from the Lincolnshire constabulary, he wanted a new challenge. He liked the idea of franchising and, as you’d expect, made the necessary investigations to find which one suited him best. What he rapidly discovered is that, in the franchise world, Driver Hire is right at the forefront.

“What really sold it to me was the enthusiasm, professionalism and total lack of negativity from all the people I spoke to,” says Paul. “They were also forward thinking in a challenging environment.”

Whilst moving from the police to running your own recruitment business is a substantial leap, Paul found that many of the skills he’d learnt in the Force, transferred to commerce. “It’s still about dealing with people and solving problems,” says Paul. “The skill I’ve had to work at most is selling. But again, like police work, it’s about asking the right questions.”

He’s obviously learning fast because his Grimsby franchise continues to go from strength to strength. “Nearly two years down the line I continue to enjoy outstanding backup from Driver Hire. They don’t just take their franchise fee and leave you to get on with it. Any problems are quickly sorted. And I’d be hard-pressed to come across an organisation that puts so much effort into new initiatives and helping their franchisees develop new business. There’s definitely a feeling that we’re all pulling together.”

Recognition Express's Franchisee of the Year winner beats recession

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Recognition Express's Franchisee of the Year winner beats recession

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Starting a business in a recession isn’t the easiest choice, but it’s one that has paid off for Stuart Fisher, owner of Recognition Express Harrow, who has just been awarded ‘New Franchisee of the Year’ after a rock solid first year of trading.

Stuart, 48, who runs the business with the help of his wife Beverley said: “We are over the moon. It’s very encouraging to have our efforts acknowledged in this way. It’s been a lot of hard work but also a lot of fun. We hit our first year target and we’d like to do even better next year.”

Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express, explains why Stuart was presented with the award: “Stuart has worked really hard to achieve such excellent results in his first year. He is always knocking on doors, networking and staying active. That’s what you need to do to keep your business thriving in a recession.”

Stuart was a qualified accountant his whole working life and a Finance Director at an exhibition and conference venue for 11 years, before he decided to set up his own business.

Stuart explains: “I had always fancied running my own business in some shape or form and I didn’t want to look back in 10 years and wish I had taken the plunge, so I started doing some research. I visited the National Franchising Exhibition, started chatting to Nigel and I liked what Recognition Express had to offer.”

“18 months on and I can honestly say that the organisation does everything it says it does on the label. There’s comprehensive training with refreshers if needed, great support in all areas of the business and a helpful network of 43 franchise owners.”

The adventures of franchising with ComputerXplorers

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

The adventures of franchising with ComputerXplorers

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Nicola & Andrew Petty have been running ComputerXplorers Cotswolds from Moreton-in-Marsh in Gloucestershire since September 2008. Nicola has two children, Jonathan 15 and Samantha 14, and Andrew has two daughters, Kath and Helen, from previous relationships. Here Nicola Petty talks about her decision to set up a children focused franchise.

What made you decide to run your own business, in particular a children-focused business?

“Over the last two decades I worked very long hours in a number of locations, working for Lloyds TSB Registrars, as their Head of Telephony & Web. For a long time I wanted to start my own business and achieve a better work-life balance, as well as put down roots in a local community.”

“After taking voluntary redundancy, I was looking for a complete change in direction. I had not considered a franchise previously until Andrew visited the National Franchising Exhibition, but when I saw the opportunity to own my own business, work with children, and maximize my core skills of operational management and customer service, it was the obvious choice.”

Would you encourage other prospective franchisees to work with children and if so why?

“Absolutely! I would definitely advocate working with children. They are such a source of enjoyment and we can bring fun into education with a capital F.”

What are the benefits of working with children? Is it different than how you imagined it would be?

“The benefits of working with children are considerable. You are helping children develop and learn new skills, and understanding technology is going to be a key factor in the future.”

“It’s great being able to do something that is so rewarding and it also brings out the sheer joy of building a business. We already have 12 teachers and operate throughout the Cotswolds. I am delighted with the ComputerXplorers franchise. The quality of the franchise and support is excellent and I am confident that a substantial business can be built, despite the current economic climate, because the emphasis on ICT in education is really starting to gather pace now.”

Learning to think big with FASTSIGNS franchise

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Learning to think big with FASTSIGNS franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Jenny Boreham, was born in Wanstead, East London. Jenny set up in FASTSIGNS® Chelmsford in 1996 and was runner up for Franchisee of the Year in 2008. Jenny is divorced with two grown up sons.

What if any jobs/careers have you had prior to joining FASTSIGNS?

Jenny said: “I was a secretary for many years and then I became a training manager at Guinness. After a while I decided to be self employed and established a training company working for many corporate organisations, which I loved.”

Why did you choose to run a franchise?

“I visited the National Franchising Exhibition and was very impressed with the support offered by FASTSIGNS. They were very open and seemed to be genuinely nice people. I still enjoy their company.”

“I was already running my own business and the idea at the time was for my partner to run the business with me just helping with the marketing. However it didn’t turn out quite like that. We split up, so I decided to refinance the business and take it over on my own.”

FASTSIGNS may not seem to obvious choice for a woman because it is technical and considered by some to be a male dominated industry – what is your response to this view?

“The important factor is having sales and marketing skills. Signs are not particularly technical and because of the support offered you can always find the information that you require, quickly. When I first began the support of the rest of the network was essential. I think it is an advantage being a woman in this industry, because people remember you!”

12 years on and how is it going – what have you learnt?

“I have a business that has grown year on year, with a great team and hopefully a secure future.”

“Chelmsford is a small town so Fastsigns is very much involved with the community and we support several local charities. The majority of our business is repeat business and our customers are truly supportive.”

“I've learnt to think big! If you act like a big company with professionalism and reliability you will achieve big results so don't think small. We have had several large rebranding projects that have been very successful and I always am looking for new projects.”

What do you wish you knew then that you know now?

“If you want to do well you need to put in the effort and I work a lot of hours. Having a franchise and working for yourself is not an easy option, although in my view the results are worth it.”

What has been a big highlight for you as a FASTSIGNS franchisee so far? And a low(if there have been any)?

“I’ve won a number of international awards for achieving top sales and growth, competing with over 500 FASTSIGNS centres globally.

“Going from working as a partnership to running the business alone was a challenge, but I’m glad I did it.”

What advice would you give to other women thinking of starting their own business?

“Starting your own business is the best way to ensure that you are in control of your future. You put in the effort and you reap the rewards.”

Would you recommend FASTSIGNS and why?

“Definitely. They have never let me down, their assistance, support and care is, I believe, unmatched. The technical support and visits mean that Fastsigns stays ahead.”

What are your hobbies/interests?

“I jog, slowly and visit the gym. I love going to France where I have a small house in a beautiful village. I try to also have one adventure holiday a year. So far I’ve trekked in Malawi and camped in Morocco and Oman - it takes you completely away from business and signs!”

Revive franchise owner puts down some business roots in High Wycombe

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Revive franchise owner puts down some business roots in High Wycombe

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Byron Lindsay, 34, became owner of Revive! High Wycombe in 2008. He’d just spent ten years travelling the world in the commercial laundry business and decided it was time to put down some business roots closer to home.

How and why did you get into franchising?

When I left school at the age of 15, I got an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic and spent seven years fixing cars. I then took a year out to go travelling to Australia.

When I got back I landed a job in mechanical engineering installing monorails in laundries. It took me all over the world for the next ten years, to fantastic places like Vancouver, New Zealand and Malaysia.

I’d spend four to five weeks abroad, working seven days a week. It was a great life for a single man, but it’s not good for family life. So when my partner and I decided we wanted to see more of each other, I started to look at alternatives.

I’d been used to supervising teams and had a lot of freedom. I thought it would be hard to go from that to working for someone else who might not have had much experience of life.

I’d read about franchising and had toyed with the idea of going into the mobile tyre fitting or mobile locksmith business. I’d been earning good money and the only way I was going to keep that level of income was to work for myself.

I went to the franchise exhibition at the NEC in Birmingham and that was it. Here was something that offered me the freedom to be my own boss and the support network that comes from being part of a big organization.

Why did you choose Revive!?

I looked at lots of options at the franchise exhibition at the NEC. Revive! just clicked. They seemed to fit everything I was looking for. They weren’t in your face with marketing.

The MD Mark Llewellyn was there and was very impressive. He is the eternal optimist – he’s been there and done that himself and knows what he’s talking about. With someone like that at the top, it makes a big difference to the way you view a company.

They offered good training, solid back-up, a friendly face, and it all seemed to fit.

How did you get started?

The training with Revive! was very good – and very real. I know I’d spent seven years in the motor trade, but all I knew was engines - I’d never picked up a spray gun.

We started off in the factory in Rugby, learning the basics for two weeks. Then in the second two weeks we went out on the road for real. It was really comprehensive, with a very patient trainer.

In the fifth week, I came home with an expert from Revive! to help me get things off the ground. It was a Bank Holiday week which didn’t help – everyone was away and we only had four days to play with, but we still made money and picked up some good business.

How’s it going?

The recession hasn’t been a problem. The work’s kept coming in and after one year, I’ve just bought my second van and taken on a chap to help me. He’s got experience in a body shop, so he doesn’t need a lot of training.

My plan is to get three vans in five years and see what happens next.

Would you recommend a Revive! franchise?

I’d have no hesitation in recommending Revive! to anyone who wants to take on a franchise. I’ve already convinced one person to join the company – I was going to take him on to help me, but he was so impressed in the job interview that he decided to become a franchisor himself.

If you want to go into the Smart Repair business, you’d be hard-pushed to find a better company. It provides good training and great back-up. The Revive! family is good – we meet up once a year. As a franchisee, you’re independent but never alone.

What are your highs and lows?

The best bit about being a Revive! owner is when everything goes absolutely perfectly and you over-achieve for a customer. He comes out to look at your work and is totally amazed. I get a real buzz out of that.

There aren’t many low times but the weather can be a bit of a burden. You can’t work in the dark, or the rain.

Not being able to take a holiday is difficult, but that should become easier as the business becomes more established.

What advice would you offer to others thinking of taking on a franchise?

If you are serious and want to put in some hard work, go for it. You’ll get out of it what you put it. And it can be fun.

Father and son team found Recogntion Express at NEC Franchise Exhibition

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Father and son team found Recogntion Express at NEC Franchise Exhibition

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Keith and Robert Walker (Father and Son), franchise owners, Recognition Express in North Staffordshire

Background

Rob, 21 yrs old and Keith, 50 yrs old live in Stoke on Trent and set up their franchise in April 2007.

Rob studied Physical Education and Business Studies at Newcastle College, and started his career in customer service for Vodafone. He is also a qualified Mortgage Advisor.

Keith was a police officer for 30 years, at Staffordshire Constabulary and latterly he was seconded to the Home Office Inspectorate for three years. He retired from the force in March 2007.

What attracted you to running your own franchise?

Rob: “Because of my Dad really and it was very timing for me. I was looking for a new job at the same time that he was thinking about investing in a franchise and it came together perfectly!”

Keith: “I’ve always wanted to run a business, like my father (plumber) and grandfather (bookmaker) before me. I did some part-time courses whilst I was a policeman, an MBA and a course in HR, and they inspired me to put the theories into practice.

Why did you decide to work together?

Rob: “Two minds are better than one! It’s difficult to run a business on your own and we are very glad we went into to it together.”

Keith: “I went to the National Franchising Exhibition at the NEC two years before I retired and I got talking to Recognition Express. I was impressed with their approach. I didn’t do anything at the time but when I retired from the police I was only 49 and a bit too young to stop working. Rob was looking for another job and I thought it was an ideal opportunity to work together. So, I asked him if he was interested and he said he was, so we did a bit of research and then decided to go ahead.”

What was it about Recognition Express that attracted you?

Rob: “Recognition Express has a very good reputation and the product range is very diverse; it appeals to many people in many different organisations. It’s also flexible enough so that you can add your own personal touch.”

Keith: “Recognition Express offer good support. They are well established and offer a wide range of products.”

How is the business going?

Keith: “We’ve been in business for just over a year and we have achieved our initial targets. We still have a way to go and we are now planning to expand the business.”

How has working together impacted on your relationship as father and son i.e. has it changed/improved?

Rob: “The relationship at home hasn’t changed; we still get on really well. The working relationship is new to us both and that’s also going really well. Of course we have our disagreements but that is part of business and we always understand that work is work.”

Keith: “We work well together. Rob is very technology minded and good at the design side. He’s very mature for his age and has picked up the business concept very quickly. He has lots of ideas as to how we can develop the business and is a really good asset.”

What advice would you give to other family members thinking of going into business together?

Rob: “I would certainly recommend it but you need to be able to keep your business relationship separate from your family relationship.”

Keith: “It works for us, but it might not work for everybody. We appreciate each others views, support each other and compliment each other.”

Any particular highs and lows during your time as franchisees?

Rob: “When the sales have been slow it is difficult but there have never been any particular low points. We are always confident that we are doing the right thing. It’s a great high when a plan that you’ve created comes together!”

What are your hobbies/interests outside of the business?

Rob: “I’m a keen sport fan and play a lot of cricket for a local team. I also like to travel; I’ve been to Cyprus and the Le Mans 24 Hour Race in France already this year and hope to go to Greece soon!”

Keith: “I enjoy dinghy and sea sailing. I keep fit by running, going to gym and hill walking, preferably in the Lake District.”

Achieving multiple success with Subway franchise

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Achieving multiple success with Subway franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Paul Jackson from Poole in Dorset has been celebrating sub-stantial success with his Subway stores. A local entrepreneur, Paul is one of a growing number of franchisees operating multiple stores and currently has five stores in his local area.

His decision to quit his full time job as Managing Director of a mail order company to pursue his dream of being his own boss, and becoming a franchisee of the SUBWAY® chain has certainly paid off. Today, Paul is poised to welcome his millionth customer over the threshold and has plans to open the first SUBWAY drive-thru store in the South of England in the summer of 2010.

Paul says: “It’s great being a part of the SUBWAY® chain’s success story. There are now over 1,450 SUBWAY® stores across the UK and Ireland, and the chain became the largest quick service food chain in the UK and Ireland in the last quarter of 2008. This really demonstrates the growth of the brand and is testament to the value our customers place on getting affordable, fresh food, made just the way they want it.

“I’m really looking forward to opening another new store within the next the year and further developing the SUBWAY® brand. It’s good to be able to defy the economic doom and gloom on the high-street and open new stores. I believe there are exciting times ahead, fuelling my appetite for business growth.”

Paul, like all franchisees for the SUBWAY® chain, is a local small business entrepreneur who knows his community and the market enabling him to respond to local customer requirements accordingly. Playing an active role in the success of the SUBWAY® chain in the South East, Paul is serving as the current Chair of the regional marketing Board, which is responsible for making key decisions on behalf of the franchisees on the advertising, PR and marketing strategy undertaken in the region. In 2007, he was also recognised by the SUBWAY® chain for his stores’ exceptional sales performance, community involvement and efforts to build the brand – being awarded the coveted title of Franchisee of the Year for the UK and Ireland.

Do you, like Paul want to be your own boss? Are you tired of working for somebody else, or have you been made redundant and want to try something new? The SUBWAY® chain could be a great option for you.

No need to fear redundancy when you have the success of franchising with Oscars

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

No need to fear redundancy when you have the success of franchising with Oscars

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

“It took us three redundancies to finally decide that we should be working for ourselves. I already knew the benefits of franchising, having had sixteen years experience at management level within the industry. I was setting up and developing franchise networks for dairymen within a market that was already feeling the pinch; this eventually led to yet another redundancy.

“My connections with franchising put me in touch with OSCAR and its team early on, especially as home delivery was never far away from our own doorstep. I appreciated that the benefits of a tried and tested system provided good grounds for starting a business and, with an excellent product that offered repeat business in a growing market, our thoughts about OSCAR could not have been better.

“Between us, we had all the right attributes for running our own franchise business and after Julie experienced redundancy we decided that it really was time to do something about it. With so much knowledge, we were still not prepared to commit without researching the pet food market, talking to franchisees and preparing a business plan.

“Of course everything worked out - we started our OSCAR business back in 2005. Julie is excellent at customer service and book-keeping, as well as continually helping us to develop our business. At the end of the day, we want to achieve a good income that will provide funds to support our retirement. Our aim is to enjoy ourselves, meet lots of people and pets who are totally benefiting from OSCAR food and many other OSCAR services. We have at least another ten years employment ahead – without having to worry about redundancy.”

Martin & Co Aldershot franchise celebrate successful start

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Martin & Co Aldershot franchise celebrate successful start

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

“Ahead of target” are three words that any business likes to hear, but to be comfortably ahead of your targets less than a year on from signing your franchise agreement, as with Martin & Co’s Aldershot office, is an impressive achievement. In their first six months of trading the business was comfortably ahead of targets by £8,000, had employed their first member of staff and had helped 60 tenants move in!

The opening year has been hard work but worth it according to franchise owner Richard Oldaker, “James and I have both worked flat out this year to make sure that our business is successfully established and are looking forward to reaping the rewards in the future. We aim to stick to the business plan we built with Martin & Co, we will always keep a very close rein on costs (always easier when it’s your own money), year 2 should see us earning closer to the sort of money we were used to and year three should take us into unchartered territory.”

Fellow franchise owner and colleague James Wiggins admits that despite both he and Richard having a background in sales they have still learnt a lot in their first year. “The big learning curve for us has been the running of the business side of things as this has been completely new to us. Fortunately, the support we have received from Martin & Co (particularly in the build up towards launch) has been great and they have pointed us in the right direction when it has come to getting finance in place and making sure we launched on time. The other thing that has been really exciting for us has been being able to start a fresh and be building a solid reputation within our area.”

On owning their own business, both felt that they had made the right decision with Martin & Co. “Coming in to work every day you get the feeling that you are creating something which is great, best of all it belongs to you.” James comments. For Richard it is the independence that he enjoys most “For me being in control of my own destiny is great, not having to bow down to corporate regional managers or a managing director’s decisions is nice. Especially as I always felt I could have done a better job than some of my old bosses anyway!” So far the friends and colleagues have enjoyed their working relationship adds Richard “We always make sure our decisions are made jointly and we haven’t had a falling out yet, so let’s hope it stays that way!”

Richard strongly recommends the franchise route to anyone looking to own their own business. “James and I were confident about getting the business off the ground having turned around flagging estate agencies in the past; however we weren’t confident with all the things involved with getting to the point of opening the doors. The funding, shop fit, business plans, legalities of lettings, software systems, accounts, joining the Ombudsman and NALS, the list is never ending. We were guided through the process and have had continued support since launching from our operations director, who always pushes us to do more and more business!”

Attracted to the Auditel franchise system through its integrity and dedication

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Attracted to the Auditel franchise system through its integrity and dedication

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Nottingham-based Philip and Pam Godwin joined Auditel in January 2009. Philip had been employed in a senior management role by one of the UK’s leading integrated power and gas companies before facing redundancy. His wife Pam had been a teacher for over twenty years. Philip recalled: “We wanted to start our own business, but reduce the start-up risk by using a proven business model. Looking for different things to do, rather then stay in employment, we had spotted Auditel as far back as 1998, so it was in the back of our minds when I was made redundant in 2009.”

The Godwins looked at a number of franchise opportunities. What made Auditel stand out for them was first of all the management team - integrity, professionalism and dedication. Then, the key issue - it had been in the market place some fifteen years with the accompanying reduced risk. It offered a business model that was adaptable to the lifestyle that they wanted to achieve and had a commitment to ongoing personal development. Finally, as Philip said: “Here was a company I would want to do business with!”

Pam said she chose Auditel mainly because of the opportunity to work together with Philip in a business partnership to which they could both contribute and use their different and complimentary skills. She said: “Auditel and its team were professional from our first contact with them. They were fully supportive and able to answer all the questions we posed in the decision - making process.”

The Godwins were given an intensive two weeks training – basic client acquisition and technical expertise and later follow-up sessions. Pam says: ‘I approached this with a little apprehension as to how I would cope, having no previous business or relevant industry experience. I was concerned that I may be out of my depth, but the training gave so much information and the confidence that we would be able to put what we had learnt into practice.’

As Philip reveals, financial control can be lost by businesses in the hustle and bustle of day-to day operations, without the necessary focus being applied. He says: “This is where the Auditel proposition delivers. It provides overburdened management with an independent outsourced cost management service for key non-core costs.”

Pam says: “What has always been important to me with Auditel is the benefit of being able to draw upon particular expertise when dealing with a variety of circumstances. Our network of over 150 specialists with market knowledge spanning over fifteen years is at the disposal of all the Affiliates and their clients.”

Philip and Pam have two boys, aged 9 and 12, and are adjusting to a new work/life balance. They are beginning to sign up clients - with plans to sign eleven by December 2009 - and although they decided that Pam should head up sales & marketing, Philip has also become involved in networking and finding clients – and enjoying it!”

Oscar's Cheshire franchisee is enjoying a new life after redundancy

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Oscar's Cheshire franchisee is enjoying a new life after redundancy

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

I spent 30 years on track with the railway network then redundancy called a halt to my career. At my age I was not ready to retire, even though there was an uncertainty as to what I could do. Going back on line I stopped at the Franchise Directory and then it was all change. Amid so much information I was drawn to communicating with the public – I could relate to that! I then needed to find confidence in a product or service.

A Driver Hire franchise fitted the bill perfectly

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

A Driver Hire franchise fitted the bill perfectly

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Before joining Driver Hire David Quinn had worked in a sales role within leading truck dealerships. He first came across the idea of franchising through his brother who runs a successful contract cleaning franchise. “I wanted my own business so I could benefit directly from the effort I was putting in. Because of my background I was looking for something with a road transport connection,” says David. “A Driver Hire franchise fitted the bill perfectly.”

He’s now got three full years’ trading under his belt, and has since brought wife Gina into the business to work alongside him. “Although trading conditions are tougher than when I started there are still plenty of opportunities to make money with Driver Hire” David comments. “For instance, this year we’ve done well with permanent placements, all of which helps add to our profit. We’re busy building customer relationships across the board, something that will really pay dividends when the economy picks up.”

David discovered another good reason for franchising in his first year of operation. “Unfortunately one of my drivers demolished a bridge and seriously damaged his vehicle in the process,” David recalls. “If I’d been on my own, I would have had nowhere to turn for help. But I phoned Head Office and they were brilliant. Their Compliance Officer drove down straightaway and helped me sort things out with the client, the owner of the bridge and all the relevant authorities. You can’t put a price on that kind of support.”

Proving that women can be successful in a Driver Hire franchise

Fri, 11 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Proving that women can be successful in a Driver Hire franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Being a woman in a male-dominated business environment has never fazed Sue Crilly one bit. And neither has the fact that she operates her Driver Hire franchise from Wisbech – a small market town in the depths of rural East Anglia.

“Male or female? I don’t think it matters,” says Sue. “In general terms, women have a more dogged and cautious approach to business. But in my view we can make every bit of much of a success of it as our male counterparts. As for the area, I’ve lived in East Anglia for many years and I know there is huge business potential here. Although we are not strategically well-placed for the transport sector we do have a thriving food processing industry and that’s what I’ve been concentrating on. You have to adapt your business to the demand that exists in your particular area.

Sue and daughter, Cat, are certainly proving that. They collect regular awards for sales turnover as they build the business and at a recent Driver Hire Annual Conference their efforts were recognised with a ‘Special Endeavour” award.

Sue does have some past history with Driver Hire having worked in the Peterborough franchise for 10 years. When the previous franchisee decided to move on, Sue and a colleague split the territory between them and the rest is history. “Being part of a network is another plus point,” says Sue. “I have a great relationship with all the other franchisees around me; we all help each other out. Deciding to buy the franchise was a big decision -- but I’ve certainly no regrets.”

From redundancy to empowerment with a Auditel franchise

Thu, 10 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

From redundancy to empowerment with a Auditel franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Nottingham-based Philip & Pam Godwin, joined the Auditel Cost Management franchise in January 2009

Why we chose franchising

Philip: I had worked in a diverse range of Finance, Audit and IT management roles. Latterly, I was employed in a senior management post by one of the UK’s leading integrated power and gas companies giving me valuable insight into the way the utilities market operates. We wanted to start our own business, but reduce the start-up risk by using a proven business model. Looking for different things to do rather then stay in employment, we had spotted Auditel as far back as 1998, so it was in the back of our minds when I was made redundant in 2009.

Our advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

It is important to check the background of the Franchisor and their operations eg support, backup/training etc. Talk to a variety of current franchisees – new ones to old hands. Think very carefully about the impact of becoming self-employed, eg on family commitments

Why we chose Auditel

Philip

We looked at a number of franchise opportunities. What made Auditel stand out for us was first of all the management team - integrity, professionalism and dedication. Then, the key issue - it had been in the market place some 15 years with the accompanying reduced risk. It offers a business model which was adaptable to the lifestyle that we wanted to achieve and has a commitment to ongoing personal development. Finally, here was a company I would want to do business with.

Pam

There are various reasons why I chose Auditel but mainly the opportunity to work together with my husband in a business partnership to which we could both contribute and use our different and complementary skills - I had over 20 years in Teaching. Auditel and its team were professional from our first contact with them. They were fully supportive and able to answer all the questions we posed in the decision making process.

How we raised the finance

Redundancy money

Training and support from the franchisor

We were given an intensive two weeks training – basic client acquisition and technical expertise and later follow-up sessions. Pam says: ‘I approached this with a little apprehension as to how I would cope, having no previous business or relevant industry experience. I was concerned that I might be out of my depth, but the training gave so much information and the confidence that we would be able to put what we had learnt into practice.’

The challenges we have faced

· Managing the time between different aspects of the business e.g. marketing, client management, report writing and networking.

· Dealing with the highs and lows and maintaining motivation.

· Developing new skills within a steep learning curve e.g. IT, VAT, networking, and telemarketing etc.

Progress in the marketplace so far

We are beginning to sign up clients and partners in the Partnership programme with accountants – the Client Acquisition process is slower than we had anticipated. Although we decided that Pam should head up Sales & Marketing, Philip has also become involved in networking and finding clients – and enjoying it!

Our plans for the future

We have two boys, aged 9 and 12, and are adjusting to a new work/life balance.
We shall continue marketing to local businesses, especially local accountants as Partners.
We hope to sign eleven clients by December 2009.
We plan to gain more knowledge of the Utility Markets and managing costs.

Established Martin & Co Belfast Franchise Owners Shares his Experience

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Established Martin & Co Belfast Franchise Owners Shares his Experience

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Name: Gordon Campbell

Location: Belfast

Franchise: Martin & Co

I wanted to run my own business and having investigated various franchise options in the property lettings business Martin & Co impressed me with their professionalism. Franchising presented the perfect opportunity to have my own business whilst minimising the risks of starting independently.

Martin & Co worked with me to obtain bank funding. The bank were happy to provide the funds as they felt confident in the Martin & Co business model.

I previously worked in food retail and production managing various companies within the food sector and, therefore knew that I needed a lot of training and support to operate successfully in my chosen industry. I have always had a genuine interest in property and I recognised that that the trend was moving away from sales and towards lettings, as Belfast became a more vibrant and attractive city to live in. However I had limited knowledge of the lettings industry but with the comprehensive training courses that Martin & Co provided combined with the continued support on offer I have developed specialist knowledge of the local lettings market.

It is important to remember that starting any business from scratch is a challenge, from generating new business to employing staff. It has all been worthwhile though, as I now have an established business, with a reputation I have developed based on delivering a service second to none for our clients.

Landlords and tenants want an established national brand they can trust as well as local knowledge and personal service and this approach has been crucial to my growth over the past 5 years. Our office currently employs 4 full time members of staff and 1 part time. We started from scratch and now manage a portfolio of more than 220.

Martin & Co have successful offices throughout England, Scotland and Wales and Ireland isn’t any different. I don’t feel I have encountered any differences to the rest of the network as a result of operating in Northern Ireland. I feel that the business model is strong and reliable, as is the lettings industry. I launched at a good time in a developing city, where there was a lot of property development and as a result have been successful over the last 5 years.

Owning my own business is fantastic and I would recommend it to most people, however you have to be prepared to put in the hard work to get the rewards. Going the franchise route has given me the opportunity to fulfil my personal ambition to run my own business; avoiding the mistakes I would have made going it alone.

Do not miss the chance of a different life with LighterLife franchise

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Do not miss the chance of a different life with LighterLife franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Before investing in a LighterLife franchise Nick Webb spent six-and-a-half years with BMW’s Diplomatic Department, but was looking for a more rewarding career. After losing weight on the LighterLife Programme the perfect opportunity presented itself…

“As a married father of three in my forties, I was tired of expending my considerable energy on someone else's behalf. I knew that I had energy and enthusiasm for "growing" ideas into realities, but also that it was far more sensible to enjoy the fruits of my labour more directly than being an employee would allow. Taking on board a LighterLife franchise made a lot of sense as I knew that obesity is sadly set to become the number one health risk in the UK and therefore market demand would be high for something that offers a proven solution.”

Nick spoke to other franchisees before taking on a LighterLife franchise and says: ”It was the inclusive nature, ethics, and the fundamental decency of this person and other franchisees I met that confirmed for me that not only was this a sound and profitable business model, but it was ethically correct too.”

“I lost weight with LighterLife and the effect on my life was amazing. The concept of using a successful formula to help people change their lives and pay the bills was attractive and I took the plunge. I can truthfully say that it is one of the best decisions I have ever made.”

Nick completed rigorous training before being awarded a licence to practice and ongoing professional development is not only encouraged but is a licence requirement. Since opening his doors for business in January 2009 Nick has benefited from expert advice from Central Office business development, marketing and medical teams.

The current economic climate has been challenging for Nick: “Banks simply aren't lending right now, so I had to move into temporary premises to minimise costs. However, as my business has grown I have since moved to permanent premises. I also enjoyed the challenge, especially as I overcame it! The "credit crunch" has had its benefits as my lease costs significantly less than it would have been earlier this year! I am already earning as much as I did at BMW within six months of start-up and the business is growing weekly.”

Nick’s advice to anyone considering a franchise is simple: “Imagine what your life will be like in five years if you DON'T take the chance.”

“A LighterLife franchise allows me to run my own business whilst benefiting from the security and expertise of a nationally recognised brand. The benefit of franchising is that you can take a proven business format, turn it into your own and enjoy the financial benefits.

My future goals are to share the LighterLife Programme with as many people as possible and build my business into a bigger success.

LighterLife franchise gives independence yet experience and support

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

LighterLife franchise gives independence yet experience and support

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Eileen Cannon chose to start a franchise business as it offered the combination of the independence of her own business combined with the experience, support, marketing investment and brand awareness of an established and successful franchise.

She had worked in marketing and then run her own marketing agencies for many years. For the last five years she was working with global technology vendors building and running international multi-language online reward programmes for their channel customers.

Eileen came across LighterLife by chance - in 2008 she attended a 21-day NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) training course and another delegate was a LighterLife counsellor. She recommended that Eileen investigate LighterLife when she said that she wanted to switch from working with companies to working with individuals, but had not yet decided what direction to go in.

Eileen was attracted to LighterLife as it is a successful company, combining ethics with financial success: “They provide excellent training and ongoing support as well as having a good UK counsellor network. LighterLife also have an extensive UK marketing campaign and were increasingly well known in my area.” She was also interested by the prospect of helping people to change their lives for the better.

Eileen studied for a BTEC Diploma in running a Weight Management Business before starting her franchise business. All her training was carried out by LighterLife's training team who Eileen found very supportive and she then began her LighterLife business in February 2009.

With regards to challenges, Eileen states that adapting to not having 100% independence was a struggle: “I was used to doing things the way I wanted to, without having to consider the rules and protocols of a franchise company”. She also had to adapt to different working hours: “I had not appreciated that the vast majority of counselling would take place in the evenings”.

For potential franchisees Eileen’s advice would be to really get to understand the nature of the business you are considering buying and to talk to other established franchisees.

“Buying and running a LighterLife franchise has given me a positive balance of the independence of my own business, combined with access to experienced marketing, training, programme development and finance professionals. I plan to build the business in my current area over the next year and then will consider taking on another franchise area”.

Platinum Property Partner's franchisee of the month shares his success story

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Platinum Property Partner's franchisee of the month shares his success story

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

In 2006 Neil Mansell was working as a business development manager in the City, in a job which his boss had told him offered no real prospects for advancement. Just three years later, Neil has his own property investment franchise - a portfolio of twelve buy to let properties – works for himself, and is making over £130,000 a year gross profit, from rental income alone.

“On the one hand I can’t believe how far I’ve come in such a relatively short space of time, but, then again, you definitely get out what you put in, and I have put in a lot of time and effort to make my business work”, says Neil, who's currently in the process of buying his thirteenth property.

Neil’s father had been involved in property renovation and refurbishment, but it wasn’t until Steve Bolton, founder of the Platinum Property Partners franchise, explained to Neil how he could build and run his own portfolio as a viable business that he considered it as a real ‘employment alternative’.

Following some intensive one-to-one mentoring and ongoing support from Steve, Neil spent 14 months doing his ‘day job’ and working on building his portfolio in the evenings and at weekends. By early 2007 the rental income from Neil’s first three investment properties had replaced his salary, and he was able to quit his paid employment to concentrate on property full time.

When Steve and his business partner Nick Carlile franchised their buy to let property investment business model in July 2007, Neil became one of the first ten ‘foundation’ franchise partners (franchisees). Franchise Partners follow PPP’s tried, tested & proven systems and strategies to fast-track their success, maximising cashflow and capital gain. Ongoing support & guidance is provided by market-leading property, legal and financial professionals.

“The PPP franchise opportunity was a ‘no brainer’ for me”, says Neil. “Using their systems and strategies, and being able to access their support network has enabled me to grow faster and more profitably than I ever would have done on my own. Being involved in an organisation that is always seeking to move forwards and develop strategies in line with the shifting market means that I can continue to grow and improve my portfolio, taking best advantage of the opportunities out there.”

Neil’s current portfolio, worth over £3m, is made up of multi-lets - where individual rooms are rented out to young working professionals on an all-inclusive basis – and single-let properties bought at substantially below current market value. He employs two staff, which frees him up from the day-to-day running of the business. Neil says “Only being 30, I don’t often think about pensions but my future is already starting to look after itself!”

Says Steve Bolton, “Neil is incredibly committed, business-minded and creative, and his success is absolutely deserved. For the past year, he has also been working for PPP internally, sharing his expertise by mentoring new Franchise Partners, embracing the company ethos of giving back. He’s become a close friend & business colleague and is a very valuable member of the franchise community, showing others what can be achieved.”

Feeling it was the right fit with Silverdaze franchise

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Feeling it was the right fit with Silverdaze franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

In October 2007 the Office Furniture Company, where Sandra had worked for almost 20 years, went into voluntary liquidation. Sandra had been a Director of the company for the last decade and suddenly found herself in a job market that deemed her “too old” or “overqualified” for the jobs on the market.

It was a nightmare! I was filled with dread at the possibility of working for people who had less experience than I had acquired over the many years in my profession. I was used to being in control, taking major decisions and running a company. After all these years I just couldn’t imagine not being my own boss anymore. It was then that a friend came to the rescue and asked if I’d ever thought about buying a franchise.

I immediately looked up the British Franchise Association on the Internet and being a lover of jewellery soon found myself on the Silverdaze website. It just felt right! Not being one to hang around once I’ve made a decision, I was straight on the phone to Diana, who answered all my queries and more. Soon the idea of owning my own Silverdaze Franchise was becoming a distinct possibility. Once I’d seen the vast range of jewellery, I made my decision there and then.

I don’t think I’ve looked back since, except on days when I’m stood up to my knees in 6” of mud, complete with typical Yorkshire weather. But I’ve learnt to take the rough with the smooth, as agricultural and horse shows are the events that I seem to do best at! When I first started I had to take what events I could get, as most of the big shows had been booked up since January or February. I now make sure I get my bookings in early not to lose out on any of the shows.

I keep my ear to the ground and am always on the lookout for ways to promote myself. I spend a lot of time pushing myself and chasing any openings that come up. I’ve got into a routine where I devote most of my mornings to researching venues on the internet and scouring local papers for little snippets of information. This has paid off as I now do on average 3 or 4 events per week and am busy almost every Saturday and Sunday.

If there were anything I’d like to change it would probably be to work less weekends. I’m sure my husband would agree with this, as despite having a full time job in the newspaper industry, he is faithfully by my side at weekends helping me erect the gazebo, although I am sure he would say I’m helping him!. With my average sales having risen from £150 - £200 to £350 - £450 per event, this wouldn’t be impossible. If I continue to do this well I will soon be able to realise my future in a hot sunny climate somewhere!

However, I’m not ready to retire yet! Knowing that I can please myself when I work makes me feel independent and I still love what I do. I always like to make sure I have at least £12,000 worth of stock in my collection. I don’t think I spent enough on stock when I first started. I used to always have a set figure in my head when I came to buy, but because there was so much super jewellery to buy, I inevitably bought more than my budget!! Now that I know the stones better, know what people like and what they’re prepared to pay; my buying habits have changed dramatically.

Rings are my best sellers and I can never have enough of them, so I try to stock as many different sizes as possible. The Indian jewellery with its precious and semi-precious stones is also very popular; Amethyst is probably my best selling stone. But there are always surprises…who would have thought that young women would suddenly be crying out for Marquesite! I’m learning all the time about what does and doesn’t appeal to people and I’m not frightened of competition, as I know our jewellery is far superior. The comments I receive from customers when they see the jewellery displays are testament to this. These are the factors that have been key to my success.

Extensive experience but nothing like the knowledge of PPP franchising

Wed, 26 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Extensive experience but nothing like the knowledge of PPP franchising

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Sarah Walker, PPP Franchise Partner

Investment location: Poole & Bournemouth, Dorset

Sarah has worked as an estate agent, a home image consultant and a recruitment consultant, and since 2003 she has also been a television presenter – primarily on BBC1's 'To Buy Or Not To Buy' - and freelance property writer. She currently works freelance part-time within Platinum Property Partners and, as a Franchise Partner, has started to build a portfolio in Poole & Bourne mouth.

It was mid-2004 when Sarah first met Steve Bolton, and she spent some time looking into his methods and business proposition. It didn’t take long for her to realise that there was definitely something different and special about Steve, his business partners and the people they were working with, and she started to work freelance for the company on copy writing, publicity and shows & events. In November 2007, having known Steve for three years and worked within the company on a part-time basis for nearly a year, Sarah joined the Franchise.

"I had a fair amount of experience in the property field, but nothing like the knowledge within PPP, particularly on the investment front – it's a completely different proposition to the residential and holiday home market. And because I like to work on a number of different projects, I simply don't have the time or inclination to worry about having to research every aspect of the property business, so the Franchise is the perfect solution and, for me, a very cost-effective way of ensuring I make the right investments and have access to the best people to advise me on an ongoing basis. Plus, I've made a lot of great new friends and some seriously inspiring mentors and colleagues."

Sarah was sale agreed on her first property the day after her initial mentoring, completed on that purchase in February 2008 and it was ready to rent as a 6-bedroom House in Multiple Occupation six weeks later. Thanks to a tracker mortgage, that property currently cashflows £1,400 a month. In November 2008 Sarah bought her second HMO – another 6-bedroom property – and that cashflows £660 a month. Those two cashflow figures are after the mortgages and all bills have been paid, allowances have been made for maintenance and voids, franchise management service fees have been paid, and include the cost of employing a property manager. The combined pre-tax profit of around £2,000 a month is therefore virtually passive income, as Sarah only has to spend around 2 hours a week on administering the business.

Albert Road, Poole

Purchase price £230,000

Rental income £2,686

(5 doubles, 1 single)

Mortgage repayment £1,139

(85% LTV, 6.89% int. only)

Other expenditure £881

(utilities, c. tax, insurance, TV, b'band,

cleaner, voids & maintenance allowance,

franchise MS fees, property management)

Total expenditure £2,020

Total monthly pre-tax profit £666

Total annual pre-tax profit £7,992

Sarah is working with her father as a passive investor, and has made the most of the other investment options offered by PPP. She has invested into a development project in Romania, which is anticipated to give around a 100% return within 3 years, and also entered into a passive loan arrangement with one of the PPP founders, which pays market-leading interest rates on a monthly basis.

For the next few months Sarah will be focusing on the purchase of her own home in Bournemouth and hopes to acquire at least one more investment before the end of the year.

New franchise owner has seen it all before at Prontaprint Sunderland

Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

New franchise owner has seen it all before at Prontaprint Sunderland

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Sunderland entrepreneur, Peter Phillips, has made the ultimate leap up the career ladder – taking over management of Prontaprint in Sunderland where he has worked for the past four years and becoming his own boss.

Peter has seen the Prontaprint centre at Mowbray Park flourish during his time in the role of Business Development Executive and when he was presented with the chance to take over the business from retiring owners Tim and Kathy Morris, it was too good an opportunity to miss.

He has a strong print background spanning over 30 years, holding administration, sales and print production roles across the North East, so is well positioned to ensure that the centre’s high levels of customer service is maintained and exceeded.

Former owners Tim and Kathy Morris successfully built up the business located on Toward Street over 30 years, investing in the latest technology, providing excellent customer service and taking key roles in the local community, such as their continued sponsorship of the Sunderland Young Achievers Award. Peter will continue the Morris’ good work and anticipates that the transition will be seamless thanks to his wealth of experience, coupled with his personal knowledge of the centre’s customer base and clients’ individual requirements.

Peter, who was born and raised in Seaham and has lived in Sunderland for more than 20 years, comments: “I’ve always wanted to run my own business and having seen the centre grow from strength to strength, I jumped at the chance to invest in such a strong and established business.

“I am looking forward to the new opportunities and challenges of becoming my own boss and putting my plans for the centre into action. The hard work to ensure that the business continues to flourish is just beginning!”

Keith Davidson, head of marketing at Prontaprint, adds: “We are always on the lookout for experienced and enthusiastic franchisees and we have every confidence that Peter will embrace the challenge of running the Sunderland centre. We wish him every success in his new venture.”

Redundancy allowed me to seize the Martin & Co franchise opportunity

Mon, 31 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Redundancy allowed me to seize the Martin & Co franchise opportunity

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Name: Ian Waldron

Location: Wimbledon

Franchise: Martin & Co (UK) Ltd.

Martin &Co Wimbledon franchise owner, Ian Waldron, shares his views on why redundancy can be just the beginning, not the end

“I had always like the idea of owning my own business but the prospect seemed daunting, however when I was made redundant it gave me the opportunity to reflect on my situation. Franchising presented the perfect opportunity to own my own business whilst minimising the risks of starting independently.”

“I have always had a genuine interest in property and with my financial background in the city I knew that the trend was moving away from sales and towards lettings. However I had limited knowledge of the lettings industry but with the comprehensive training courses that Martin & Co provides combined with the continued support on offer I felt confident that lettings was the right industry for me.”

“The first time I saw a Martin & Co board in my area I was immediately interested. The distinctive branding that they provide is unlike anything I would have been able to do on my own. With Martin & Co our clients benefit from our office’s local knowledge and expertise backed by the power of a national brand, without choosing the franchise route it would have taken years to build up the brand awareness I already have.”

“Due to the success of Martin & Co as a brand and the fact that their business model has been tried and tested over a number of years, it meant the process of obtaining funding was fairly straight forward. Yes banks are going to ask probing questions but the business plan that Martin & Co provide all new franchises with settled any doubts the banks I went to originally had.”

“It is difficult for me to offer advice to anyone who has been made redundant as each individual case is different, and buying a franchise does require an investment. However redundancy can often offer the opportunity for reflection and change in an individual’s lifestyle which in other circumstances may have never been possible. As long as the franchisee is willing to put in the hard work required and is eager to learn lots of new skills then buying a franchise can be a great option. I love being my own boss and know that my job and my future is secure. People tend to mention redundancy in negative terms but it doesn’t have to be doom and gloom, I have gone from being made redundant to owning a growing business in an industry that I have a real passion for.”

Countrywide franchise ticked al the requirement boxes

Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Countrywide franchise ticked al the requirement boxes

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Already experienced in running his own business Anthony Williams decided to become a Countrywide Signs franchisee as it provided the brand recognition he wanted.

“Low start up costs and potentially high profit margins were among the things which attracted me to Countrywide Signs.”

Having previously run his own business Anthony Williams was used to being self-employed, however when he decided to sell his business he wanted the support and brand recognition provided by a franchise. “I owned my own sandwich business for seven years, but the market became saturated so I decided to sell my company,” Anthony reveals. “The main problem I’d had with the business was that nobody knew who I was so I wanted a business where people knew the brand. Although I initially looked at coffee shop franchises I was opened minded and when I found Countrywide Signs it seemed perfect as it ticked all my requirement boxes...such as having low start up costs and potentially high profit margins.”

Countrywide Signs provides for sale and sold signs to estate agents across the country. The company uses state-of-the-art technology, such as Global Positioning Satellite (GPS), to enable franchisees to provide the best possible service for their clients. Anthony launched his Countrywide Signs Liverpool franchise in September 2006 after receiving office-based and practical training.

Since opening Anthony has not been disappointed with his business. He explains: “There is nothing about the franchise that I dislike. I enjoy being outside and the estate agents are very easy to deal with and very professional, which makes my job easier and more enjoyable.”

Currently generating an annual turnover of £110,000, Anthony has found the franchise easy to run, supportive and very flexible as well as providing the high profit margin he was looking for. Although he has not been running his business for long he has already had the opportunity to expand. “I’ve just taken on the St Helens area and I’ve also taken on a driver so I have two vans now,” he reveals. “I would also like to expand further over the next few years.”

Clearly satisfied with his decision to sell his previous business and launch a Countrywide Signs franchise, Anthony advises those looking at the franchise: “This is the perfect franchise for those who are hard working and looking for a business that is reliable and easy to run.”

Income building and a better lifestyle with Countrywide Signs

Wed, 11 Nov 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Income building and a better lifestyle with Countrywide Signs

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Countrywide Signs has been franchising the supply, erection and maintenance of ‘For Sale’ signs for 10 years and has a network of 56 franchisees nationwide. Its two newest franchisees are Colin Lancaster and Gary Millen, friends who quit their banking careers to become self-employed

“As a Business Manager for Lloyds TSB, I was the face of the bank and delegated the workload,” says Stafford based Countrywide Signs franchisee Colin Lancaster (pictured above right). “Despite not having complete control if anything went wrong with a client’s account I would be held responsible. After 19 years in banking I began looking for a new challenge where I could work for myself and have sole responsibility.

“I liked the idea of franchising and working with a proven business model because I could spend more time running the business and less time learning the ropes, so I accessed the bank’s franchise database and researched different opportunities. Countrywide Signs have a high rating and excellent track record so I decided to investigate. The low investment and low overheads really appealed and I liked the idea of operating a van franchise from home.”

Colin decided to call his friend Gary Millen to discuss his new business venture and by the end of the phone call Gary was intrigued. Gary (pictured inset (right) with Countrywide Signs Sales Director John Ball) had also left his job and was looking for a new project where he was his own boss, had flexible hours to work around family commitments and did not have a three hour daily commute.

Gary says: “I have been friends with Colin for years and share the same interests, so I knew if the opportunity suited Colin the chances are it would suit me. I conducted my own research into Countrywide Signs online and was impressed. I invested in the Romford franchise because the work was not office-based and I liked the thought of being out and about.”

As part of the franchise package Countrywide Signs offers a comprehensive training programme, which includes shadowing a franchisee for two days as well as classroom sessions covering marketing and legal issues. Franchisees also have access to a solid support network. “The support system is excellent,” says Gary. “I know I can phone or email another franchisee or Head Office and get help with any problem. National Sales Manager Simon Smith has also visited both of us to make sure we are coping which has been great.”

The two friends have different aspirations for their businesses. Colin explains: “I did not invest in this franchise to make a lot of money, I opted to do this to have a better quality of life and watch my children grow up. By the end of year one I hope to achieve a turnover of £35,000 and in two years to have built up the van business to keep me and possibly one other employee busy.”

Meanwhile, Gary plans to expand his business as quickly as possible. “Over the next few years I plan to build my business to three or four vans and a small workforce,”’ he says. “By the end of year one I hope to reach a turnover of up to £45,000.”

Dramatic change of life with Rosemary Conley franchise business

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Dramatic change of life with Rosemary Conley franchise business

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Elisa Clark, the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchisee for the Wellingborough area, found that her life changed dramatically after she made the decision to become a Rosemary Conley franchisee in 2002.

Elisa had been made redundant from her job as a Personal Assistant at Silverstone Race Course and with exercise as a major interest in her life, Elisa decided to seek out a career in that area.

Now aged 28, Elisa runs a highly successful Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise. With the help of three employees she has expanded her franchise and together they run 20 classes a week.

She is soon to open a further three classes. Elisa’s partner, Richard, has been of great support and is invaluable when helping out with the administration and bookkeeping for her business.

As a franchisee, Elisa says she now gets far more job satisfaction than she ever did before. Elisa is also earning significantly more and she has developed as a person. Elisa loves running the classes and whilst she used to be quite a quiet and shy person, she is now much more outgoing.

The Auditel franchise model stood out to me after redundancy

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

The Auditel franchise model stood out to me after redundancy

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Franchisee details

Peter Harrison lives in Silverstone, Northamptonshire and has just been made redundant from a senior role with the Williams F1 team.

Why I chose franchising

I really wanted the flexibility of being my own boss but I had no previous experience of running a business. So franchising was the obvious choice in my case. I can concentrate on building my own business using a proven business model with ongoing help and support from the franchisor. As there are so many to choose from, I thought it was going to take forever, but Auditel quickly stood out from the crowd. I took an instant liking to their business proposition and I was really impressed with the attitude of both the Head Office staff and other franchisees.

What I did before taking up a franchise

I was a Formula One Race Engineer, having worked with Honda, Jaguar and Williams teams over the last decade. I worked at the sharp end directly with the race drivers, optimising car set-ups and race strategy. I was also Chief Test Engineer in my last role at Williams and responsible for all technical trackside test operations.

How I raised the finance

I was fortunate enough to have enough savings to buy the franchise without borrowing.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor

Training and support have been first class from the start. I recently completed my first residential course at Head Office. Afterwards, I felt much more confident about meeting prospective clients and presenting the Auditel business proposition. Although working alone from home, I still receive the help and support I would expect from a large professional organisation.

The challenges I have faced

It’s been extremely tough coming from a highly paid profession in which I had many years of experience. But I’m clear about my future goals and I know this will be a better way of achieving them. On an everyday level I’m finding it quite difficult to manage my time efficiently. Everything is new and seems to take forever!

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

Think carefully about your long-term objectives and why exactly you want to run your own business. Also consider the level of ongoing support the franchisor offers beyond the initial training. You must be confident that the franchisor’s own objective is to build a successful franchise network rather than simply selling franchises.

Progress in the marketplace so far

I signed two clients in the first two days, although one was a close friend and the other my wife’s boss. But it was still a good feeling and they both genuinely understood the value of my service. I’m now busy building relationships in my local business community and within the Auditel network

My plans for the future

My primary objective over the next two years is to build a successful business in order to provide the income I was accustomed to in my previous career. Beyond that, my ultimate goals are to enjoy much more time with my family and to pursue my main hobbies of skiing, photography and classic cars.

VIP Bin Cleaning franchise offers Craig opportunity to succeed

Mon, 10 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

VIP Bin Cleaning franchise offers Craig opportunity to succeed

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

The joint venture between Be Franchising and VIP Bin Cleaning continue to move forward with three operators already launched and a further already planned. The third operation has been launched in Derwentside and the operator is Craig Richardson.

Craig attended the initial presentation in Shildon which was presented by Paul Balmont of Be Franchising and Mark Harvey of VIP Bin Cleaning where they explained the opportunity to an audience of prospective operators. From this presentation a short list of suitable applicants was put together who were then interviewed on a one to one basis. From this short list Craig was selected and he spent a full day at the VIP head office in Norfolk where he met the VIP support team and got a full understanding of the business. After this day Craig was selected as the new operator for Derwentside and the following week he returned to Norfolk and completed an intense training course.

The new business was launched on Monday 22nd June and the early signs are they are going to achieve record sales and growth on the first week of the launch. Craig commented: “I never thought I would get an opportunity like this and I am determined not to waste it. The help and support I have received from Be Franchising and VIP has been fantastic and I am going to make sure I succeed. I am under no illusion that it is going to be hard work but with the support of Be Franchising and VIP and with my total dedication I am sure I can make it work. I would recommend anyone who has an opportunity like this to take it and grab it with both hands. I am now so excited about my future that I cannot believe the turnaround in my life within the last few weeks when I did not even have a job let alone an opportunity to build and then own my own franchise.”

The interest in the North East about the project has certainly gained momentum with 90 candidates putting their names forward to be considered for the next opportunity which is Gateshead. Paul Balmont explained “As word has spread about what we are doing and the opportunity it gives people we have seen a significant growth in the numbers of people putting their names forward to be considered. Gateshead has attracted 90 enquiries and we are only able to give one of these people the opportunity but it gives us confidence that the message is getting out there and people are interested in what we are trying to do.”

Mark Harvey commented: “the last few months have been very difficult in getting the processes and systems in place and then getting the message out in the North East but we are now seeing the rewards for our efforts. The high number of applicants proves we are gradually getting the message out there. It is hard work but when we come across someone like Craig it makes it all worthwhile. Here is someone who would never normally have the opportunity of owning his own franchise, and to see him fully understand and appreciate the opportunity we have given him makes it very rewarding.”

Realising the potential of franchising with Belvoir

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Realising the potential of franchising with Belvoir

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Office: Belvoir Boston

Owner: Donna Burrell

Launched: November 2007

Background:

Prior to opening Belvoir Boston Donna Burrell had spent several years working overseas, but on her return to the UK she realized the time was right to start her own business.

“I’d been an overseas MD with a company that specialized in outdoor advertising,” explains Donna. “I’d travelled extensively over the years but then I had a baby and returned to the UK and took a year off. I realized I didn’t want to work for anyone else again so I began searching for the right opportunity. I knew there was a great potential in the rental market - buy to lets had gone crazy over recent years and the lettings market seemed a recession proof option. In the current climate more people are renting their homes rather than selling them at a loss. Renting is really common in Europe and seems to be taking off here too.

“I’d been a tenant and landlord in the past and a bad experience with the agency which let my own house while I was abroad made me think I could do better.”

Why Belvoir:

It wasn’t long before Donna’s research led her to Belvoir and she soon realized that it was perfect solution for her. “It is my business, but being part of a Franchise operation means I have so much back and support,” says Donna. “I already knew of the brand, and I went into some local offices and talked to other Franchise Owners before I even considered investing. Then I met the team at Central Office and was very impressed with how professional the Company was. “

Was the training provided helpful?

“The three week training course was fantastic,” recalls Donna. “It provided me with all the information I needed to become a lettings agent and I have received so much going support since opening that I’ve never felt as if I’m working on my own.”

Vision for the future:

Donna found perfect premises in the heart of the busy town of Boston in Lincolnshire and when she opened the doors she had more than 60 tenant enquiries on the first day o trading. Within a year she had achieved her goal of having 100 properties on her books.

Donna says that her new career as a Belvoir Franchise Owner is very satisfying although it brings with it a huge amount of responsibility. “I am dealing with people’s biggest assets – their homes,” she says. “It’s great to get positive feedback from landlords and tenants and to know I’m doing a good job. I never turn anyone away and always strive to find suitable properties for tenants who are struggling to find properties on their own – it feels really good to see them settle into their new homes.

“Belvoir Boston has grown faster than I thought it would, “she says. “When I opened the doors on November 19, 2007 I didn’t realize what a fantastic journey I was about to emark on. It just goes to show that if you’ve got a dream you should hang on to it – sometimes they really can come true!”

New limits with Chemex franchising

Fri, 07 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

New limits with Chemex franchising

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

After a successful career in farm management, John Bennett has just made a complete, mid-life switch.

John, 41, has invested in a franchise with Chemex International covering South Nottinghamshire, including Nottingham city centre, Southwell, Grantham, Long Eaton, Bingham and Radcliffe-on-Trent.

Chemex is Europe’s leading supplier of cleaning and hygiene products and provides businesses with cleaning products and free advice and training on health & safety and hygiene matters.

“I graduated from Nottingham University with a degree in agriculture and worked for 16 years in agricultural farm management. I ended up managing a large, intensive arable, vegetable and root crop farm in North Nottinghamshire,” said John who lives at Oxton.

“But I needed a new challenge and was delighted when the opportunity to build a business with Chemex came along.”

Franchising appealed to John because he had dealt with franchised businesses in the organic produce industry and knew how it worked.

Now he is franchising for Chemex, not only selling a wide range of cleaning and hygiene products but also offering advice and training for the healthcare, catering and hospitality industries.

John, who is a former captain of Nottingham & Union Rowing Club and Henley Royal Regatta oarsman is now putting his back into building a successful business supplying cleaning and hygiene products.

As a competitive rower, who trained daily, rowing on the River Trent and reached the quarter-finals at Henley, John said: “With my competitive nature and business experience a Chemex franchise provides an opportunity to build a substantial business”.

“We supply a wide range of businesses, including care homes, restaurants, pubs, hotels, offices, schools and colleges - hygiene is major issue in all these businesses.

“Where we differ, though, is we also offer training and advice on use of our cleaning products, as well as safety and hygiene control programmes.”

Backing of an instantly recognisable name with Rosemary Conley franchise

Fri, 31 Jul 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Backing of an instantly recognisable name with Rosemary Conley franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Vikki Radford has run the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise in Tameside & Stockport since 1999.

She lives with her husband Neil, their one-year old daughter, Grace, and their two Springer Spaniels, Holly and Molly, near Manchester - in a house, which they are busy extending and remoulding. Vikki says that running the franchise fits in extremely well with her family life.

Vikki has always been a very active person and she passed her Exercise to Music qualification before she was twenty years old. She spent a year travelling around Australia only to return home before setting off again for six months in Africa!

On settling back in Manchester in 1996, Vikki became a full-time aerobics teacher and worked for various gyms but what she really wanted was to run her own business.

Vikki chose the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise because it offered her the opportunity of running her own business, which had the backing of an instantly recognisable name.

She began running classes in January 1999 and has shown great enthusiasm for her business ever since. Since Grace was born, Vikki has been able to juggle being a mother with running her classes. “This franchise has allowed me to spend time with Grace during the day whilst Neil takes over in the evenings, when I am out teaching classes. I have the best of both worlds and Neil is just fantastic!” says Vikki.

After nine years Vikki continues to be motivated and she loves what she does. She would recommend running a Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise to anyone who enjoys exercise and is a ‘people person’.

Taking control of her life with Rosemary Conley franchise

Tue, 04 Aug 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Taking control of her life with Rosemary Conley franchise

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Trudy Taylor, the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchisee in Oldham and Tameside, used to be a manager at the RAC Insurance call centre, where she worked for ten years.

Trudy had held a number of office-based jobs before joining the RAC, where she met her husband, Paul. The couple now have two children, six-year old Matthew and four-year old Hannah, and, after having the children, Trudy worked part time for the RAC and combined this with being a mother.

It was at this time that Trudy discovered her weight had increased to 13 stone so she joined a local Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Class and within a year she had succeeded in losing almost 5 stone.

Trudy’s franchisee was so impressed with her that she asked Trudy to qualify as an Exercise to Music instructor to help her run classes, which she did. Trudy then started teaching Rosemary Conley classes one night a week for the local franchisee.

In early 2005, Trudy attended a Presentation Day at Quorn House, the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs’ headquarters, with a view to becoming a franchisee herself. She was convinced it was for her and launched her business in September 2005.

Trudy has never looked back and she feels very proud that she now runs her own business and is in control of her life.

She says: “This is a full time job and you definitely need the support of your family, especially if you have young children to look after, like I do!”

Trudy’s husband, Paul, has been a big support with the children and Paul’s parents, Kath and Dave, have also been supportive.

In fact, Dave does Trudy’s bookkeeping for her. Trudy says her members are a real joy and teaching them is fantastic: “It is really good fun and you are held in high esteem as the leader and instructor,” says Trudy.

“The back-up from the support team at Rosemary Conley is excellent and the on-going training events are the highlight of the year for me.”

Through being organised and disciplined, Trudy is able to find time to spend with her family and, unlike in her previous role, she never has to work at weekends. When asked about the last few years, Trudy’s final words are: “It’s been brilliant!”

Lasertech's Bury franchise owner breaks online sales record

Wed, 22 Jul 2009 01:08:00 GMT

Lasertech's Bury franchise owner breaks online sales record

Information on Franchises for sale in the UK at WhichFranchise.com

Stephen Appleyard of Lasertech Bury (supplier of Printer Cartridges and Office Products) obtained the largest ever online order for a franchisee for £8K in June. To make it even better it was an order from a brand new customer. Steve had been in contact with the Primary School for some time and his persistence of cold calling, providing quotes and following them up finally paid off. Steve worked with his Business Development Manager at Lasertech to clinch the business for this large bulk order of Lasertech Brand Printer Cartridges. Steve used extra support from Lasertech to increase his profit on the order.

The order was made up of 100% Lasertech Brand Toner Cartridges, which are up to 40% cheaper than OEM cartridges, but manufactured to the same quality and yield, the only difference is the price.

As the order was placed online the new Lasertech Bury Customer automatically earned reward points. As the order was all Lasertech brand cartridges this Primary School received over 16,000 points, (customers receive 1 point for every £1 spent, but double points on all Lasertech branded cartridges). This Customer can now choose to redeem these points for a range of product such as ipods, GHD Hair straighteners etc, or save them up and put them towards a higher value Reward Product, like an LCD Projector.

Needless to say Lasertech Bury’s June turnover was his best to date, but even without this large order his first half of the year sales for 2009 was still up 45% on the first six months sales of 2008. Stephen plans to win more big orders like this one and up sell to his current customer base.