The costs of cosmetic surgery tends to start at £3,000, while Meditech's treatment programme starts at half that and, as well as being more cost effective, is a less radical alternative. Meditech provides a more natural approach and that's what attracted me to the franchise as my background is in pioneering health and wellbeing products in tune with a more natural approach.

When I first heard about Meditech my ears pricked up - I immediately recognised the potential. I discussed the opportunity with my wife Susan (pictured) who is an interior designer by profession but was coming to the end of her latest showroom project and looking at a depressed property market. She was also very interested so we got in touch with Meditech and arranged to visit their head office.

We knew of their excellent reputation in franchising through their existing involvement with Snack-in-the-Box and were very impressed upon meeting the team. They are very professional and know what franchising is all about. In addition Susan experienced the treatment and saw there was a measurable difference. The treatment process has been developed over 20 years and has been available in clinics in Europe for six years. There are lots of case studies to show that it works. We were the first people to commit to moving ahead with the franchise, although we became the second franchisees to sign the franchise agreement, and got the business going in February.

The training is comprehensive and absolutely invaluable, in fact a layperson with no medical or beauty background could succeed with this franchise. My wife took the therapist training and she manages the clinic and provides the treatments, while I look after the finances, reporting, marketing and general back-of-house operations.

We provided treatments to family and friends to hone the procedure before carrying out a 'soft launch' in March with our first open day - providing free consultations and taster treatments proved very successful at bringing people in through the door and getting the phone ringing. Now we hold one every month and the amount of business we are generating is putting us way ahead of the game. In fact, we're looking at a first year turnover of between £125,000 and £150,000 and have already acquired a second machine, which we will use to open a second clinic soon.