Feed: Yorkshire Franchisee Case Studies on whichfranchise.com - AggScore: 47.4

We have teamed up with the organisers of the Yorkshire Franchise Show to offer those interested in franchise & business investment opportunities a complimentary early evening “shepherd's pie buffet” on Friday 27th February 2009 at the Elland Road Conference & Exhibition Hall, Leeds United FC.

The Show is open between 12.30pm - 7.30pm and the buffet opens from 5.30pm onwards.

Finish work and start the weekend by meeting over 40 franchise opportunities all with Yorkshire & Humberside based licences on offer. No need to worry about cooking when you get home!

Plus tap into sound, impartial “post credit crunch” franchise finance advice from the NatWest Bank franchise team, meet Yorkshire based start up initiatives and attend any of six free seminars from small business and career experts “in the know”.

For those of you who have the daytime clear, then join us for a "lunch & launch" opening at 12.30pm and our Mums Mean Business seminar - flexible and part time franchises aimed at busy working mums. All the more time to soak up the businesses on offer, all on the back of a bite to eat and glass of bubbly.

 

Details & free registration www.yorkshirefranchiseshow.co.uk

I have been running my ServiceMaster franchise almost a year now, initially buying two Leeds areas from a retiring licensee and since then adding the Dewsbury area and part of the York area from other licensees.

 

Before ServiceMaster I was involved in insurance building restoration work with another Franchisor but what attracted me to ServiceMaster was their reputation within the insurance industry and the fact that they had contracts with major players in the industry which guaranteed a supply of work from day one without any advertising by me (in stark contrast to my previous franchise). I purchased the Leeds business after seeing an advertisement in the local paper, and knowing the commercial potential of Leeds, was immediately interested. The carpet/upholstery cleaning side of the business is showing steady growth now, although this was starting from zero, as my predecessor had not traded for about a year.

 

From day one I employed a technician, who handles the majority of the appointments and the carpet and upholstery cleaning, I have recently purchased a second van for my own use, and do a number of the insurance jobs myself now we have the bigger area. I also get involved when on larger jobs, which need two operatives, such as the carpet cleaning contracts obtained centrally by ServiceMaster Ltd, or when we have major fire and flood work as happened frequently over the past summer. I have also started to employ on a part time basis a lady who comes in to help with the administrative side of the business.

 

Both my technician and I enjoy the work, partly because of the variety, never two days the same, never two jobs the same. Added to this is the flexibility, if either of us needs a day off or to finish early for some reason, the other will cover any calls that come up. It has been exceedingly rewarding (and I don’t mean just financially) with the flood work over the summer, helping clients who have been badly hit by floods, taking charge of the work when clients were almost too shocked to know what to do next. Many of these people we have come to know well and have become friends as well as clients.

 

Both my technician and I attended a two week training academy at SM head office in Leicester before starting trading and return from time to time for various training courses. In addition to this, any problems we encounter (and there is always something new and potentially problematic) we have technical help and support at the end of a telephone line day or night. Regional meetings afford us an opportunity to meet our neighbouring licensees, all of whom we get on well with. Indeed, we have worked together on some larger jobs at times

 

In conclusion, I am very satisfied with my business and the way it has progressed in one year, and would recommend it to anyone who is considering investing in a ServiceMaster franchise

On Demand Communications (ODC), the holding company for Kall Kwik and Prontaprint, has acquired 1st Local Limited trading as Kall Kwik Middlesbrough, the largest franchise centre in the 560-strong global network of Kall Kwik centres.

 

ODC delivers a comprehensive range of print on demand communication services including targeted direct marketing campaigns and large format print as well as creative design services which are provided through the kdesigngroupTM offering – Kall Kwik’s design sub-brand.

 

Established in 1989, Kall Kwik Middlesbrough boasts a 45-strong workforce, all of whom are being retained in the takeover. The centre will continue to provide services to its existing client base which include high profile businesses from a range of sectors including local government, hotels, further education, professional services, healthcare and some high profile retail brands.

 

Kealan Lennon, chief executive of ODC comments: “The print on demand industry is expected to continue to grow over the next three to five years. With its scale and reputation for rapid turnaround, ODC, through its SuperbrandsTM Kall Kwik and Prontaprint, is well positioned to capitalise on the opportunities presented by an expanding market place, particularly in tougher economic times where businesses need to outsource their printed communications function without any sacrifice in service levels.

 

“In our acquisition of Kall Kwik Middlesbrough we’re backing a highly experienced management team that has the combined industry knowledge, competencies and motivation required to achieve even further success.”

 

Piers Mitchell, vendor and managing director of Kall Kwik Middlesbrough adds: “Our business has evolved and successfully grown over 20 years to become a leading player in the print on demand market and this deal is a significant step in our ongoing growth and development. Selling the business to ODC has provided an opportunity to crystalise the value of the business and ensure we have the backing of a shareholder capable of further investment as opportunities continue to arise.”

 

As part of the deal Piers Mitchell will continue to be responsible for the management of Kall Kwik Middlesbrough, and will also assist ODC in its future acquisition strategy for the Kall Kwik and Prontaprint networks.

Ashley Smith

Cartridge World Rotherham

 

Background

Ashley had worked for many years in the construction industry, visiting various construction sites responsible for testing the strength of building foundations. His decision to make a career change was ‘spur of the moment’ but once he’d decided he was committed. He was determined to do something different - something for himself. 

 

What introduced him to Cartridge World

It was a chance visit to a Cartridge World store in Scarborough which planted the seed of the idea. Ashley was impressed and intrigued with the store and its products so enquired from the owner about the franchise, how much it had cost and how he could find out more. The website www.cartridgeworld.co.uk was his next port of call.

 

Success to date

Ashley launched his franchise in June, 2003, in his home town of Rotherham. At that time he was working full-time, employing one part-time staff member. Within a week, an additional member of staff joined. Both of these employees remain with Cartridge World Rotherham, which has since expanded to employ a total of seven people.

 

The store has grown steadily in the intervening years and in 2007 Cartridge World Rotherham reported a year-on-year increase in turnover of more than 10 per cent. This, combined with Ashley’s active participation in a number of Cartridge World franchisee steering groups and his support of new franchisees, earned Ashley the title of Franchisee of the Year 2008.

 

Ashley says ...

“I attribute the award in part to a healthy but friendly rivalry with another Cartridge World franchisee who until recently owned a store in Hereford.  We talked almost daily sharing our experiences on everything from the technicalities of refilling to marketing a business. 

 

“In truth, there was a ‘mini’ championship each month as we competed to claim the higher position on the monthly franchise league table.

 

“The benefit of owning a Cartridge World franchise is that assistance is available whenever it is needed. Technical support is always there at the end of the phone to provide any help needed, and it is really reassuring to know that you’re not isolated in the business.

 

“Customers value having a genuinely cost-effective alternative to the manufacturer’s replacement cartridges, and they also know that there is no compromise whatsoever in print quality. Increasingly however, customers tell us they refill cartridges because they’re aware of the environmental impact of sending empty printer cartridges to landfill.”

 

Mum of four Helen Howard-Mawer was fed up of spending hours in the office and having little time for her family. Although she really enjoyed her job as a bookkeeper, she had found herself putting in over 55 hours a week in the office and then would often have taken work home.

 

So, when the opportunity arose to buy a Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchise and become her own boss, it was too good a chance to miss.

 

Before taking the plunge, Helen had researched the franchise business thoroughly. She spent 12 months attending presentations and interviews and then undertaking training before finally launching her business in January 2001 at the age of 34. She was very impressed with the quality of the training and the helpful and supportive team at Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs. Rosemary herself was involved at all stages and acted as an inspiration for all new franchisees. Five years on, Helen runs 11 classes in and around York and is looking to expand further.

 

During those five years, in addition to running her franchise, Helen has enjoyed spending more quality time with her family - husband, Joe, and children, Isabel, 17, Charlotte, 15, Edward, 14 and Matthew, 2. They live in a super five-bedroomed house on the outskirts of York and recently added a major two-storey extension - work they felt confident enough to undertake only as a result of Helen’s success.

 

Helen’s daughters say they see far more of their mum than ever before and that she is much happier now she is in control of her life.

 

Helen says: "I am so pleased I made the change from being a salaried employee to running my own business. I have the flexibility to fit my work around my family life and after giving birth to Matthew in 2003 I was able to continue working."

Her advice to anyone looking to take up a Rosemary Conley franchise is: "If you have a supportive family, an interest in diet and fitness and want to be in control of your own life, then go for it. I love what I do."

After graduating and working professionally in law, Rachel Rowling, the Rosemary Conley Diet and Fitness Clubs franchisee for the Dewsbury, Batley and Heckmondwike area, never imagined that a holiday with her husband would result in a complete career change!

 

But, on the flight home from a holiday with her family, Rachel picked up the latest Rosemary Conley Diet & Fitness magazine and inside found a section about the franchise opportunity. On her return to the UK Rachel investigated the idea further. In 2007 she attended an open day, launched her business in January 2008 and hasn’t looked back since!

 

One of the most challenging aspects for Rachel was the training. Having come from a commercial background, Rachel found herself as a novice when training for her OCR Exercise to Music qualification. However, Rachel passed with flying colours, which she credits to hard work, persistence and the strength of the training course.

 

She says: “The delivery and support you get on the training course is second to none. It was the best course I have ever been on, both during my student and professional career.”

 

Rachel is now well into her second year and is ecstatic that her life has taken such a different path. “Being a franchisee is great and whilst it is a serious job, it has a real fun factor that I had been missing before,” adds Rachel.

 

One of Rachel’s biggest bonuses is the sense of achievement the job brings. “You can’t beat the feeling when your members get taken off medication by their doctors as a result of improving their health at your classes. The members really are fantastic!” says Rachel.

 

Although Rachel occasionally misses the cut and thrust of business meetings and wearing a suit and killer heels, there is nothing which can match the buzz of seeing people change their lives for the better and improve their self-belief. Rachel highly recommends buying a franchise to anyone who wants the freedom of being their own boss and running their own business but with the backing of the Rosemary Conley brand, which gives instant recognition and credibility within the market.

 

“Knowing that the Rosemary Conley franchise is backed so strongly by the BFA and has been twice recipient of the Franchisor of the year award meant a great deal to me. It gave me all the confidence I needed to invest in this franchise.”

 

With three employees currently in training, Rachel is looking forward to expanding her business and continuing to live life to the full whilst doing something she loves.

Office: Sheffield

Office owner: Rick Flay

Date Launched: May 2006

 

Background:

Rick Flay, who has a sales and marketing background and is a former police officer, returned to the UK with his family in early 2006 after living in Australia for 13 years.

 

During his time in Australia Rick had run his own property company and once home in the UK began looking for a new self-employed opportunity that would enable him to use his knowledge and expertise of the property market. He also wanted extremely rapid growth and believed this could only be achieved by being part of a national organisation with an established brand.

 

Why Belvoir?

Rick researched franchising, taking a particular interest in estate agency and property management. He and his wife, Val, a marketing professional, first discovered Belvoir in a franchise magazine and went on to commit to Belvoir because it specialized in the lettings market and is the UK’s leading specialist property lettings brand, with the best mature network, providing the fastest opportunity for growth.

 

Rick says: “I have always had a keen interest in property. Franchising offered the speed to market which would have been impossible to achieve as a sole trader.”

 

Success to date:

Within five months from initial enquiry Rick completed his induction training and set up a Belvoir franchise in a serviced office. Wife, Val, joined him to handle the property management side of the business and they soon outgrew their premises. Within months they moved to a shop in the busy city centre.

 

Belvoir Sheffield has proved to be an undisputed success in an area with a strong lettings reputation. Rick’s achievement was officially recognised at the Belvoir National Conference when he won the coveted New Franchisee of the Year award after just eight months of trading. One year later Rick won Silver Award for Franchisee of the Year at the 2008 National Conference, and is now hot on the heels of Terry Lucking from Belvoir Peterborough who scooped the Gold award.

 

Vision for the future:

Rick looks forward to successfully developing his company and in 2008 opened a second office in Chesterfield.

 

 

When Phil and Erica joined Silverdaze in October 2007, they were no newcomers to the retail industry. Phil had racked up an incredible 37 years of working long hours, often leaving for work and returning home in the dark. Erica had worked in retail since the age of 16 and for the latter 7 years ran a successful bridal business. “We hardly got to see each other and thought there’s no point in carrying on like this!” So, in May 2007, Phil took early retirement from his position as Store Manager at House of Fraser and he and Erica began their search to find a business that would give them the freedom to do what they wanted.

“We looked at different things, we knew what we didn’t want to do!” Phil explains; “I mean we’d both already done clothing and we didn’t want to do anything food related, then we came across Silverdaze, which was by far the most impressive web site and here we are! “My parents had great plans for their retirement,” says Erica, “But then they died early…you never know what’s round the corner! Now we get to see more of each other, choose where and when we want to work and are able to take holidays together. We’ve been on a Caribbean cruise, to a wedding in Dubai and now that we’ve established ourselves we are even planning to take Christmas off, which would have been unheard of before.”

“We’re not playing about,” says Phil, “We knew we still needed to make a living. We gave ourselves a year to establish ourselves and it has taken that long, but people come back and ask for us now. We joined what we refer to as the craft fair circle and tour all the Yorkshire fairs, about 10 different indoor venues, which we visit at least once a month.” “I don’t do outdoors!” pipes up Erica. “Yes, we discuss everything,” replies Phil, “Until we come round to Erica’s way of thinking! Turning up on a regular basis means that we get regular trade. We’ve built up a real circle of friends on the circuit and get good advice about what works.”

 “It’s been a real eye opener,” adds Erica, “There are some curious, crazy craft people out there selling all sorts, including a tailor for teddy bears. It’s been great for networking and I’m even confident enough to stand on a friend’s Aloe Vera stall now. That’s the good thing about there being two of us, as one can go off for a break. We each have our own roles and know exactly what we’re doing and can be set up in half an hour and out in a quarter. And if customers don’t believe my compliments, they can always ask Phil for a second opinion.”

We constantly challenge and motivate each other and are always coming up with new ideas to improve our business. We run a monthly free draw competition for our customers and once we have their details can e-mail them to let them know where we’ll be and of any special events coming up. We do a lot of charity work and visit two local hospitals twice a month. We make a point of getting to know our customers, especially at the hospitals, it’s important to remember who’s had what operation and who’s waiting for what results. It’s equally important to remember who’s bought a present for an exam result, engagement, christening or other occasion.

“Our average turnover is about £400 per event,” states Phil. “This year we’re aiming to increase our turnover by 25%. We don’t restrict ourselves tightly to any one area and we keep at it until we reach the targets that we set ourselves.” “Because we’re so busy on the circuit we don’t do many parties, but when we do,” adds Erica, “they have a ball. I think the word ‘party’ is a bit off putting as people suspect it will be like the party plan schemes in the 80’s, but Silverdaze parties are just not like that! It’s very different now from in the days when I sold dried flowers as part of the party plan scheme.

 

John Fraser purchased Driver Hire’s Hull franchise from its previous owners in December 2006. An accountant by profession, the majority of John’s career was spent managing farm estates on behalf of large organisations – including the Castle Howard estate in North Yorkshire, made famous in TV’s ‘Brideshead Revisited’. He made the decision to start out in business by himself and when the opportunity arose to become a Driver Hire franchisee, John grasped it with both hands. 

 

Says John Warren, Driver Hire’s Franchise Sales Director, “ Although John took over an established territory it was one that had seen little growth for several years. He didn’t waste any time in transforming it. His first step was to relocate the business into new and larger premise and he then began a concentrated sales and recruitment programme.”

 

The results were outstanding – in John’s first year at the helm, year-on-year sales grew by 68% and the Hull franchise won Driver Hire’s Gold Award for sales revenue at their Annual Conference.  Then in 2008 one of his drivers, Colin Ramsden, won the Recruitment & Employment Confederation’s ‘One in a Million’ award, making him the UK’s top temporary worker. This achievement speaks volumes about the quality of John’s business and reflects well on the whole of the Driver Hire network.

 

“There’s no doubt that franchising reduces the risk element of self employment,” says John. “You’re buying a business with a proven recipe for success and there’s a network of other franchisees to talk to before you make the decision to buy and once you’re running your franchise. Driver Hire provided all the support they promised. In fact I don’t think I’ve fully utilised all of it.”

 

Driver Hire’s Franchise Re-sales Director, John Warren adds, ”Self-motivation, energy and enthusiasm coupled with sound commercial judgment and the support provided by the franchisor have really paid dividends in Hull.  I’m confident that the Hull franchise will continue to go from strength to strength.”

0800 Handyman is pleased to announce the launch of its first new franchise operation outside the Greater London area.

 

Julian Henthorn has launched the latest branch in Wakefield, West Yorkshire. Julian previously managed a tools and garage equipment franchise and was keen to continue being his own boss.

 

The business is owned by The Zockoll Group, whose Chairman, Jim Zockoll founded and developed Dyno-Rod, one of the UK's most successful franchised services. It started trading in 2001 and is already well established in the London area, where it is the leading player with a proven reputation for service excellence.

 

Now, with a highly experienced franchise management team, 0800 Handyman is expanding, creating exciting and rewarding business ownership opportunities based on a winning service formula.

 

Julian’s new business specialises in tackling the small DIY tasks and odd jobs that people don’t have the time, inclination or expertise to carry out themselves.

 

Julian tells us: “I discovered there was a real gap in my local area for a professional handyman service. While there are plenty of specialist contractors to deal with the bigger and more costly jobs, and many odd-job men around, there was no one offering a quality service for handling the multitude of little jobs that never seem to get done!”

 

Having spent 15 years running his own business, Julian was keen to continue being his own boss. He tells us: “Going into business with 0800 Handyman was the perfect fit for me.”

 

“I have the benefit of working in partnership with an established organisation with all the experience to help me run a successful business, but I’m still in control of my own destiny.”

 

Says Julian: “No task is too small, we’ll put up shelves, change light fittings, assemble furniture, mount plasma screens, change locks or repair a dripping tap.” In fact, Julian says he is a ‘man for all reasons’.

 

0800 Handyman understand their customers’ time is at a premium so specific appointment times are booked rather than morning or afternoon slots. Charges are sensibly based on half hour increments so that the amount invoiced is a more accurate reflection of the time the work takes.

 

All staff undergo strict vetting procedures, including police checks so clients can be assured of the highest levels of security. Their workmanship is backed by a no quibble guarantee and the company is fully insured.

 

Julian concludes: “Each day presents a new challenge and its great being out and about meeting people in my local community. People call me out because they have a specific task that they need help with, so I get great job satisfaction with each job, knowing that when I leave a clients’ property I’ve resolved a problem for them!”

 

Clive Smith, Managing Director, 0800 Handyman said: “We’re delighted to welcome Julian on board. He brings a wealth of valuable business management experience to the company and I have every confidence he will make a real success of his new venture in Wakefield.”

Champagne corks were popping at FASTSIGNS®  York when the company won an award less than two years after going into business.

 

Matthew and Kirsty Wilson, and Carl Smith opened FASTSIGNS York in August 2007 in Boroughbridge Road, York. They were previously in the pub and restaurant business.

 

Now they have won the FASTSIGNS award for Newcomer of the Year at the company’s UK National Convention and Awards Dinner.

 

FASTSIGNS offers a full range of custom signs and graphic products to businesses, including banners, posters and exterior and interior signage.

 

Matthew, Kirsty and Carl are overjoyed to be top of their game.

 

“We love running our own business and it’s great to be recognised – it was a big surprise to win an award,” said Matthew.  

 

“We’ve been going two years now and everything’s ticking along well. We beat our sales target in our second year, despite the recession. And we’re looking at moving to bigger premises already.”

 

Matthew thanked the FASTSIGNS ‘family’ for helping them to succeed: “We’ve got a FASTSIGNS online forum, and whenever we hit a problem, there’s always someone in the company who offers help,” he said.

 

The trio received their trophy at a glittering awards ceremony in Oxford, where FASTSIGNS’ UK Managing Director Garth Allison had nothing but praise for the York team.

 

“They’ve done really well, and have grown sales significantly in the last 12 months. We’re very proud to have them in the FASTSIGNS family,” said Garth.

 

“We began looking for a business to work in together after Candy was made redundant. After considering many of the options in the market we came across Maid2Clean. As we had not run a business before, we were apprehensive but after our meeting with Mike and Elaine, who were so open in showing us how they were achieving their goal, we knew we wanted to go ahead with this opportunity.

 

We are definitely not alone in this new venture. We were promised help and guidance, and that is exactly what we get each step of the way. Not only do we receive this directly from Mike and Elaine, but also from the operational manual which covers every aspect of the business and of course from Mike’s training sessions.

There is also the online forum where franchisees can share their experiences and learn from each other. Great IT support is also available.

The current market condition has affected businesses but with hard work and determination, and the constant requirement for domestic cleaners, we can continue to grow our Maid2Clean business and improve our future.

The Sheffield Business Awards were buzzing with excitement thanks to a custom designed awards stage backdrop created by Signs Express (Sheffield North).

 

The leading sign maker, based in Rotherham, was commissioned by Gordon Audio Visual, the Event Production company who managed the event hosted by the Sheffield Chamber of Commerce and industry which took place on 3rd December.

 

With just a month lead-time, Signs Express took Gordon AV’s concept and set about designing an impressive stage set which accommodated the required lighting rig and set the scene for the prestigious awards ceremony.

 

With approval from the award organisers, Signs Express selected a hard wearing but lightweight material to form the backdrop which spanned over 6.5m long and 4m high.

 

Covering the backdrop in a silver gemstone diamond effect vinyl, the background was then dressed with a “Top Hat” approximately 1.8m square. A series of “Stars” wrapped in purple vinyl were also added to the backdrop along with a series of stars extending outwards and mounted on a piece of curved clear acrylic – which was invisible during the show, giving a mysterious and eye-catching finish and fulfilled the organisers request for an invisible appearance.

 

The text ‘Sheffield Business Awards’ was created using moulded purple acrylic letters with internally mounted white LED illumination to give the desired halo effect, setting the stage for the prestigious awards.  

 

Commenting on the project, centre owner Steve Morris said: “Safety is our number one priority when working on a project like this and so we ensured the structure would be very robust as well as visually appealing. It was a challenging project but one which we thoroughly enjoyed, especially being a local business ourselves. We wanted the awards to have a great impact in the community and this was certainly achieved with the stunning finished result.

 

Our staff did a great job, hand cutting the shapes and outline for the backdrop which formed the original concept of the design. The stage set was taken to the venue in sections and assembled until the rig was in position to be gradually raised upwards. Much of the assembly work and final design modifications had to take place on site because the stage set had to fit the supplied lighting rig and once the final finishing touches were added, we were all eager to see the audience’s reaction. We were certainly not disappointed.”

 

The awards recognised several key local businesses including engineering specialists DavyMarkham who received 3 awards and Sheffield United who were recognised for their work in the community.

 

Signs Express provides a wide range of signs and graphics products including interior and exterior signs, vehicle graphics, banners, exhibition displays and labels and stickers.

 

Franchise business opportunities act as much safer option when starting in business and this is especially the case when looking at buying an existing franchise business as a resale option.

 

Through buying an already established business, the new owner will gain a distinct advantage as the business is already up and running with an existing customer base. There are no headaches over finding a production unit to base the business, plus the centre is already fitted out with the required equipment and furniture; so no waiting around for suppliers and no need to waste time organising the layout, it’s already been done. The staff are even already in place and fully trained, therefore cutting out the time recruiting in the area and providing the business owner with the knowledge of the centre as it currently stands. This means that as soon as the franchise owner is in, he can start trading and continue generating profit from day one.

 

As a rewarding Signs Express in Yorkshire there are huge benefits within the area. Economically diverse with strong transport links, this Yorkshire location is particularly focused on the service industries including public sector employment, health, education, finance, information technology (IT) and tourism, and is currently experiencing vibrant growth amongst its existing business community which increases scope for business in Yorkshire in the future. The existing business which has been operational since 1994, has an excellent reputation amongst its established customer base and receives a substantial amount of repeat business within the Yorkshire area. 

 

With over 80 centres nationwide and 20 years of experience under its belt, Signs Express business opportunities are growing as more franchisees reach retirement. There are many business owners who joined Signs Express having worked for years in various industries and who were looking for security as they reach retirement age. This means that now, some years later, they have reached their potential and are set to retire and enjoy the money that they have earned through their own hard work over the years.

 

The key to starting in business and in particular buying an existing franchise is its distribution channel. The franchise has built up an enviable customer base as a result of time and experience, meaning the customers would already be there and at the new business owner’s disposal. The same goes for suppliers. Signs Express has its own preferred list of suppliers and in a resale situation these relationships have already been made with the centre and therefore any problems already ironed out.

 

As a management franchise, prospective franchisees require no industry experience as full training is provided. Your skills will be based on your own management and sales experience and your ability to lead a team. Ongoing support is available from sales and marketing, accounts, IT, HR, operations and technical as well as initial training to learn more about technical aspects and business techniques.