Summary: Over Fifties Franchisee Case Studies on whichfranchise.com
Case studies about people in Over Fifties starting a Franchise
Independence with a Home Instead care
franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Judith Herrod is one of our more recent Home Instead franchise
owners and was selected to take ownership of the Stone franchise
in Staffordshire. She began trading in January 2008.
If you ask Judith why she became involved in the care business
she will tell you about her parents, an independent couple in
their 70’s who travel abroad almost every month and who enjoy
life to the full. She will then tell you that their biggest fear
is losing their independence.
Like many others who are involved with Home Instead Senior Care,
Judith fully understands the importance of supporting the elderly
in their own homes and sees how, by providing this care, elderly
people can gain many years of independent living.
When you ask Judith how she became involved in care she laughs:
“I woke up in New York on my 50th birthday and thought – what
shall I do with the rest of my life?” Judith had always been
interested in the franchise model for businesses so on arriving
home she went on the internet and searched for the latest
franchise opportunities. It was here that she read about Home
Instead Senior Care, Judith continues: “I saw the words ‘Making a
Difference’ and that was it, I just knew this was the business
opportunity for me.”
Prior to purchasing her franchise Judith had enjoyed a successful
career as Head of Fundraising for a well-known children’s hospice
in the Midlands, and before that had owned and run an estate
agency/property management company in the Costa Del Sol with her
husband.
Whilst Judith found her fundraising role with the hospice hugely
rewarding, she did find it unrelenting. “At times I felt like a
hamster on a wheel. We constantly had targets to meet and it
seemed never ending. I was good at what I did and the job was
well paid but I suppose when I hit 50 I decided that I needed to
be my own boss again, but I still wanted to do something
worthwhile.”
Judith’s friends think she is crazy setting up on her own but she
says: “I have less stress now than in any of my previous jobs.
Home Instead is already operating as a successful and proven
business model so all the systems are there – it’s just down to
me to get on with it. The team at head office are great and are
there if I have any queries or need any additional support.”
She continues: “What’s really unusual is that there are no
targets to meet other than those I set myself. This is the first
private company I’ve found that has the ethos of the voluntary
sector – they really do want to make a difference. I’ve never
been happier.”
Date Published: Feb 10, 2009 - 9:05 pm
It's a family affair at Lighterlife franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Moving from South Africa to the UK for a better
life for her family, at 56 years old Colleen’s life has totally
changed with her husband and daughter now joining her in her new
career.
Based in Walkden, Worsley, Colleen qualified and
started her new business as a LighterLife Counsellor in September
2007. Her business has grown enormously in that time, expanding
to a second location. Colleen also has dreams of a third location
with her family now supporting her.
Her daughter is joining her from a high-powered
corporate scene at MBNA bank, which she feels is no longer for
her after the birth of her son. After trying IVF for seven years,
Colleen now has a lovely grandson, and her daughter has different
priorities. Helping in the family business will give her the
flexibility she needs to see her son more whilst still pursuing a
career.
Working long hours and being away on many business
trips, Colleen hardly ever saw her husband. She says the decision
for him to join the business will give them a better quality of
life. They also plan to take three-day weekends to start enjoying
themselves at their time of life. After receiving some
inheritance money they bought a VW Campervan and want to explore
the English countryside with their free time.
At this time in her life Colleen feels the most
confident she has ever felt. Her family are the closest they’ve
ever been and her quality of life is at its best. Her company is
going from strength to strength and now with her family on board
she feels that this is her home and she can really make a life
here.
Date Published: Jun 25, 2009 - 10:05 pm
Buying a franchise for security in retirement
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
After falling seriously ill, Malcolm decided that his job, which
entailed travelling back and forth between Frankfurt on a weekly
basis, was too much, and decided to take a redundancy package
offered to him.
Before working with Chemex, Malcolm sold computer hardware and
software to major institutions including banks and govt
departments in the UK and Europe.
Malcolm fell seriously ill with appendicitis a few years ago and
was admitted into in intensive care for 3 weeks. His old job role
required 7am flights to Frankfurt 3 times a week. Malcolm was
offered a redundancy package and decided to come back to the UK
permanently and take after his brother-in-law who had brought a
franchise.
Age was also a factor in Malcolm's decision to buy a franchise.
Malcolm Dixon had been used to working in a team, so working for
himself was a challenge, especially when he realised that the
buck stopped at him!
Malcolm plans to increase the specialised contracts and then
maybe retire in 4 years time. Plans for the next 3 years are to
make this business autonomous to make it better to sell.
Malcolm covers West Surrey and North East Hampshire; including
Guildford, Cranleigh, Haslemere, Hindhead, Liphook, Perersfield,
Alton, Farnham, Aldershot, Farnborough and Frimley.
Date Published: Jul 12, 2009 - 10:05 pm
Redundancy allowed me to seize the Martin & Co
Opportunity
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties 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.”
Date Published: Oct 08, 2009 - 10:05 pm
Northwood franchise is a business to believe
in
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Previously a Senior Line Manager responsible for a turnover in
excess of £20m, Graham Holden took “a well negotiated exit”
during restructuring in 2002.
“After 26 years of corporate life, I was very wary of joining
another large organisation where internal politics would require
far too much energy rather than concentrating on growth and
service,” he reflects. “During my career, I had personally
created significant wealth for my employer and I wanted to do the
same for myself and family. The prospect of buying a franchise
attracted me because I believed, and still do, that it would be a
speedier route to growing and establishing a business from a
standing start. Most of the bugs/mistakes have already been
experienced by the franchisor and removed from the business model
and operations.”
Attracted by the profit margins and relative stability of the
property rental market, Graham discovered the Northwood franchise
opportunity in The Franchise Magazine. “It looked polished,
professional and, most importantly, it offered appealing
marketing USPs which were not evident with other property
franchise opportunities,” he remarks. “Having contacted Northwood
I was invited to the Franchise Office in Southampton by the
Franchisor Andy Goodson. I was given a full presentation of the
business model and the opportunity, which was impressive, but two
other factors were indirectly very persuasive. The first was the
personal attention I received from the franchisor who was candid
and displayed total honesty when questioned hard on a variety of
topics. The second was witnessing the friendliness and ‘feel
good’ vibe when speaking to the franchisor’s team.”
Graham launched his business in August 2003 and, with advice from
Northwood, conducted extensive radio and newspaper advertising.
“Thanks to the radio marketing campaign and the unique benefits
available from the Northwood
Platinum Scheme, results were quick to see,” he recalls. “We
currently have 360 properties within the portfolio, the Platinum
scheme represents 94 per cent of revenue and my turnover is £1.8
million per year.
“After nearly six years, the business is now well established and
we have stable staffing levels. Because of the success of the
business it has allowed me to take a back seat in terms of the
day-to- day running of the office. I have an excellent General
Manager who looks after all day to day activities. This allows me
to enjoy a semi-retired life and to focus on longer term
strategy.
Northwood is a great business with a great franchisor, full of
integrity. You get all the benefits and freedoms in running your
own business, yet you also get the backing and support of an
experienced, professional and friendly franchise support team.
It’s a partnership in all but name and the sum of the total is
greater than the individual parts.
Date Published: Oct 12, 2009 - 10:05 pm
The road of success leads back to franchising for
Dream Doors business owner
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties 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.
Date Published: Oct 22, 2009 - 10:05 pm
With an Auditel franchise, who said redundancy was
the end?
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties 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!”
Date Published: Nov 02, 2009 - 9:05 pm
Five years and counting with LighterLife
franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Gwen Owen operates a LighterLife franchise in Newmarket and five
years after investing still remains passionate about her job and
is looking forward to growing her business after taking on an
additional territory.
Gwen says: “I initially chose franchising as I was looking for a
career change – something that would provide me with the
stimulation I was used to but somewhere I could use my current
skills as well as put my life skills to good use. I had no
dependents and a husband who was happy to support the challenge I
was looking for.
“My research into LighterLife ticked all the right boxes for me
and this was evident from an early stage, right from my first
introduction to the company at my recruitment day, through to my
ongoing training. I was looking for a product or service
from a reputable and respectable organisation and in LighterLife,
I found both. I took out a career development loan for 50%
of the training fees and paid the remaining amount myself and
five years on it still remains one of the best career moves I
have ever made.”
Before taking on board a LighterLife franchise, Gwen managed a
Training Centre for unemployed people. This involved
motivating, encouraging, advising and at times, counselling and
she was able to utilise all of these skills as a LighterLife
Counsellor. Prior to this she had spent 20 years providing
consultancy services to organisations so she knew her new
business would benefit from her listening skills.
According to Gwen, “the training I received from my franchisor
was superb, thorough, intensive and fascinating. The great
thing about LighterLife is that the ongoing support can be
tailored at whatever level you want. If you feel you require some
initial hand holding it’s there, but if you prefer, as I did, to
just get on with it, that’s okay too! To have all the marketing
and advertising material available at the drop of a hat, along
with the support of expert and medical teams is just
wonderful. In addition having the knowledge that you have a
sound, professional organisation behind you, provides you with
the confidence to just get out there and do it!”
Gwen says the first challenge she faced was finding suitable
premises. “It is so important to get this right,” says Gwen. “You
need to find somewhere that is right for your clients and of
course right for you. You need to feel happy, not lonely and
find offices somewhere you love to go to every day. The other
thing that is very important and that can be somewhat challenging
when you work for yourself is getting the work/life balance
right. I believe I’ve finally got that right coming into my fifth
year practising as a LighterLife Counsellor. The only other real
challenge was the people who doubted me and my ability to make a
living when I first invested in a LighterLife franchise. They
were so wrong and if only they could all see me now!”
Gwen’s advice for anyone thinking of buying their first franchise
is research, research and more research. Gwen says: “Talk to
people who are currently franchisees in the industry you’re
looking to go into. Ensure you have the right geographical
area, then put 100% effort and enthusiasm into your business
venture and you will succeed.”
When asked about her plans for the future Gwen is focussed on
expanding the business. “I love my work with a passion and have
recently taken on extra staff to expand into an additional
territory,” says Gwen. “This is a new business venture for me as
I’m sharing the finances and management with another LighterLife
Counsellor and our plan is to take on more staff in order to be
able to offer a quality service across our region in Suffolk. The
last five years have been really exciting and I am looking
forward to bigger and better things!”
Date Published: Dec 17, 2009 - 9:05 pm
Franchising with Auditel: Simple and
Attractive
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties 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.
Date Published: Dec 21, 2009 - 9:05 pm
Living in comfort with Maid2Clean franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
“Maid2clean provides a great comfort to me. My income
from Maid2Clean, on top of my pension, means that I can help my
two sons a great deal in their lives. It also means that I
can take the time to master my laptop.
With Maid2clean you do not “stand-alone.” The franchisor
has herself experienced all the potential problems that a
franchisee will come across and every question I have asked to
date has been immediately dealt with.
I have found over the years that Elaine, the franchisor, is
contactable by office phone, mobile and email to offer advice and
support.
The three-day onsite training at head office was very
professional and covers the day-to-day running of the
business.
The Operations Manual is a complete training course in
itself. Written by the franchisor, who operates to continuously
improve the business, I can at a glance use it to answer many of
my queries.”
Date Published: Jan 21, 2010 - 9:05 pm
Safety-First with an Auditel Franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Now in his 60’s, West-Sussex based Brian Woolmer became an
Auditel Cost Management Franchisee in 2003. Most of his work
previously, as an executive engineer, had involved safety systems
used in coolant controls for reactors on nuclear submarines and
power stations.
Brian recalls:” In 2002, tired of company politics, one takeover
too many, and the increasing ‘red tape’, I decided that I had
‘had enough’! Having been at my company for 20 years, but ‘talked
out’ of leaving in the previous year, I was allowed to take a
decent financial package. I agreed to work for them on a retainer
basis, once my own engineering consultancy was set up. To
compliment this, I used some of the funds to purchase a
franchise. I saw franchising as the quickest way to market, with
the support needed for setting up a new venture.”
Having spotted an advertisement, Brian attended a London bfa
franchise exhibition with a view to pick something which would
meet his aims, i.e. a ‘white-collar opportunity’ dealing with
people at an executive level. He says: “I saw the Auditel stand
offering cost management and my gut feeling was that they were
offering something compatible with my values. Visiting their
offices for my first meeting, this feeling became much more
apparent and I joined their network in July 2003.”
Asked about the training and ongoing support, Brian reports that
it is first class. He adds: “Head Office has ‘brought to the
table’ strategic partners in a host of new cost saving areas. Our
excellent relationship with these suppliers is shown in their
enthusiasm to attend our events such as Regional Meetings, the
Supplier Exhibition and Annual Conference.”
Brian’s son-in-law, Steve, joined him briefly, when he left the
army in 2004, helping him to build a client base. When he decided
to go into full time employment, Brian found his time was
restricted for new client acquisition and his main endeavor
became to care for his existing ones. This has been achieved with
over half of them now in their fifth year. Longevity has
proven that whilst savings can be small at the start,
opportunities often arise, provided that you sometimes just ‘hang
in there’.
In 2007, Brian’s son Neil decided to be self-employed. He started
to carry out analysis for Brian’s Auditel clients and assisted on
some technical aspects in the engineering consultancy. Brian
continues: “In 2008, with my franchise up for renewal, we decided
that Neil would get trained and join me as a partner in the
Auditel business. Since this time, principally with the help of
one large client, who my son has ‘brought to the table’, we have
doubled turnover and are looking to increase it by a further 50%
this year. Chiefly this will be done by referrals and expanding
cost areas with existing clients.”
As to the future, Brian says: “I eventually see myself taking a
reduced role, albeit not until after our next renewal in 2013,
when I will be approaching retirement. However, I do intend
to work on a part time basis, even when I retire, as, believe me
or not, I actually enjoy it!”
Date Published: Mar 24, 2010 - 10:05 pm
Veteran Auditel franchise consultant reflects five
year on
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Prior to becoming an Auditel Cost & Purchase Management
Consultant in August 2005, Charles was European Director of a
tier-1 automotive components supplier dealing with major vehicle
manufacturers.
Charles says: “I was disappointed with my previous employer for
various reasons and looking for a new challenge, particularly
in professional services. An executive search firm suggested
that I should talk to Auditel. I realised it would be a good
way forward to become a consultant and set up my own business.
I was also impressed with the ethos and professionalism behind
Auditel.”
Charles was able to finance his franchise through a final
lump-sum payment from his last employer and his savings. He
reported that the training was excellent. “Since Auditel is a
professional service, I believe it is essential that the
training programme is comprehensive. Any incompetence could
give the whole network a bad image and reputation.”
Charles says: “Being well-known and trusted is a help in client
acquisition. I have established two specific markets –
multi-national corporate and the London hospitality industry,
particularly in restaurants. My focus is now signing more
clients in the latter sector. There are still fifteen more
years to go before I retire, and I can’t slow down just yet!”
He recalls:” I set up my business goal to achieve £100,000
annual turnover and I achieved this in Year 4. This year I will
surely go over £100,000.”
Advice to potential franchisees: “Buying a franchise does not
guarantee success. Fundamentally, it all comes down to your
hard work. Also there are many different types of franchises so
remember that you are buying a ‘business’ and it needs to suit
your talents, personality, and aspirations”.
Asked about his experiences since becoming a franchisee,
Charles answered: “Auditel really changed my life in two
aspects. Professionally, I could fulfil my dream to be in a
highly skilled service as a business consultant. Personally, I
could dump all the ‘corporate junk’, which I found very
traumatic. Now in my 50’s, I have never been so healthy and
full of energy. I feel so much happier now!”
Date Published: Oct 19, 2010 - 10:05 pm
Feeling secure with an Auditel franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
East Anglia-based Daryn Dodge has been an
Auditel
consultant since 2001 and has just reached his 50th birthday. He
has never regretted his decision to give up a top job with a US
software company and buy an Auditel franchise. Daryn was an IT
programme manager with BT when he was headhunted by a
Colorado-based software giant to run its European operation, but
the glamour soon began to fade.
“The money was incredible and I loved the responsibility but my
personal life didn’t figure anywhere,” he remembers. “I had three
young daughters but never seemed to see them and it didn’t take
long to realise there’s more to life than just collecting Air
Miles. There were problems at work too. The final straw was when
we lost a multi-million pound contract because we couldn’t agree
over bringing in a designer.”
At this point, Daryn decided it was time to take charge of his
life and leave the corporate world behind - not that he took the
decision lightly. “Giving up a very lucrative job when you have a
young family is a big decision and I knew I had to get it right.
So, I sat down and made two lists. The first was of personal
goals, such as wanting a change of lifestyle, wanting to take
control of my own destiny and to spend more time with my family
and so on. I still look at these from time to time, just to make
sure I don’t lose sight of why I’m doing what I do. The second
list was of 20 criteria that my business would have to meet;
including the long-term, the ability to operate from home,
flexible hours and compatibility with a social life!”
Bearing all this in mind, it was clear that a franchise would
offer Daryn and his family more security and a greater chance of
success than starting a stand-alone business. So, armed with his
data, Daryn went to the BFA membership list and painstakingly
analysed each of the opportunities.
“The only one that met all these factors was Auditel and I’ve
never regretted my decision to join the network. In fact, if I
had the chance to wind back the clock, I’d make the same decision
again because Auditel has exceeded all my expectations. That’s
not to say there haven’t been challenges along the way. Nobody
should be under any illusion that buying a franchise is a
substitute for hard work and commitment but there is a lot of
support available from the Head Office. The network also
helps you over the bumps. The financial and personal rewards are
worth all the effort.”
Has being a franchisee given him the stability and security he
wanted?
Daryn answered: “Friends who still work for big firms ask me
whether I ever feel worried about working for myself. I can
honestly tell them that I’ve never felt more secure than I do
now. My future is within my control. Because I receive 50% of the
savings and refunds implemented for my clients over a fixed
period, I can calculate my minimum income for two or three years
ahead. Last year, my income was £100k and my business plan for
the next five years is very simple. I can build on the client
relationships I’ve already developed and broaden the range of the
expenditure categories I manage.”
Asked whether he’d consider going back into employment, Daryn’s
answer is typically emphatic and unambiguous, “No way, José! This
is definitely my last job”.
Date Published: Feb 09, 2011 - 9:05 pm
Auditel franchisee hits a six-figure turnover
after only three years
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Farnham-based Martin Wiles, now 50, is one of Auditel’s
most senior franchisees, having joined their cost and purchase
management network in 2005. Prior to becoming an Auditel
franchisee, Martin was in the mobile telecommunications industry.
Early in his career, he worked for Technophone, a pioneering
mobile phone manufacturer, as an electronics engineer, rising to
Project Manager. This was followed by 15 years at Vodafone in
international business development and project management roles,
both in the UK and overseas. Martin holds a BSc degree in
Electrical & Electronic Engineering and is a Fellow of the
Institution of Engineering and Technology.
Asked why he chose to take up a franchise, Martin says:
“Franchising appeared to be a lower risk route to establish my
own business and with a modest capital outlay. I also considered
that the support of an established franchisor with a proven track
record in helping start-up businesses was very important. I was
able to fund the capital required from my own funds, so no
borrowing was required.”
Martin found Auditel through an internet search and visited
their Winchester Head Office. He was encouraged by his meeting.
“The Head Office support and the quality of their leadership
looked very good. I trusted Auditel to be an ethical franchisor
with an established pedigree. I also felt that here was an
excellent opportunity to use the skills from my career in the
telecoms industry.”
Martin found the initial training to be a very useful
starting point in his new career. Since then, he says, the
support from the franchisor and the network has been excellent.
He won the acclaim of Auditel’s franchise team in his first two
years, being awarded the prestigious Rising Star for such a
promising start in the network; within a further year Martin had
already established a six-figure turnover.
Martin reveals: “I am looking forward very positively over
the next five years and plan to continue the momentum to
replenish my client base. One of the best things I have found in
Auditel is meeting and working with such great people as my
business partners!”
Date Published: Jun 20, 2011 - 10:05 pm
Travelling in good company with Auditel
franchise
Over Fifties Franchise Oppotunties at WhichFranchise.com
Established in 1994, Auditel is the UK’s favourite cost and
purchase management franchise, winning several nominations for
the best franchisee support in the industry. South Norfolk-based
William and Vicky Ball are two of their longest serving
franchisees. William trained in 1997 and two years later,
was joined by Vicky. Both came to franchising from the travel
industry. William had a general management career with a number
of tour operators and holiday companies. Vicky, had built up and
sold her own travel agency business and was teaching travel and
tourism.
Asked why they had elected to take a franchise, they
recall: “We both wanted to work together and in our own business.
We were looking for a vehicle to achieve this objective and had
considered several retail opportunities, before stumbling on
Auditel. Buying a franchise had never occurred to us.”
William remembers finding Auditel quite by chance, through
a magazine picked up in a hotel reception. He reveals: “Vicky
told me I could do it and I agreed! It appeared to be a good fit
with the kind of work that I had been doing as an employee. To be
paid “a slice of the action” was a compelling prospect.”
Over the past 14 years, William and Vicky believe that the
quality of the training and support provided by Auditel has taken
a quantum leap to meet the needs of the current network of 200
cost and purchase management specialists. A unique feature is
that long-standing Affiliates pass on their experience and skills
to new and mature franchisees alike. William now acts as a
trainer and technical mentor. His strengths in the field of
Facilities and Property Management and in a wide range of other
business disciplines, including Human Resources, Purchasing,
Sales and Marketing, are highly regarded.
William and Vicky have successfully operated their Auditel
franchise for over 14 years now. During this time they have
developed a diverse portfolio of clients in many areas of the UK
and in a wide range of business sectors. William has established
a reputation in Telecommunications Cost Management and leads the
Communications Business Development Team within the
network.
Illustrating the highlights of their time with Auditel,
William and Vicky confirm: “Two specifics are building a business
based on our network of professional contacts and going on to win
Franchisee of the Year as a couple in 2006. We found the vehicle
that we were searching for and we have achieved the work / life
balance we were aiming to reach.”
As to their future, William says: ”We have succeeded in
building both a wide customer base and a positive reputation
within Auditel. The development of our business means that
Vicky can now take a back-seat role and provide admin support on
a very part-time basis. She can spend more time with the
grandchildren and doing voluntary work. Within a year or two, we
will have a third renewal of our franchise agreement to consider.
At our time of life, retirement is getting closer but it’s great
to be in a position where the choice of what we do is
ours. Watch this space…!”
Photo caption: Vicky and William Ball
at the Auditel National Conference
Date Published: Jul 24, 2011 - 10:05 pm
