"Franchising with Unzè is exciting and dynamic, like being part of a big happy family," endorses business partners Ismail Mitha and Asif Vali. "There's always someone there if you need them - not just an employee but the owners themselves."

Unzè (Franchising) Ltd is the retail arm of Shalimar Shoes Ltd, a company established in 1989 by the Saleem family. Since the first franchised store opened in early 2005 selling own-label ladies' footwear and matching accessories, the company has experienced rapid growth and currently has 13 company-owned and franchised stores and a further 10 opening shortly.

"We have developed a successful business model that does not require previous experience of shoes or retail," Khuram Saleem, General Manager, reveals. "We are looking for confident individuals capable of managing a team of staff, who possess a genuine desire to build and run their own business, and who can combine their drive and ambition with the ability to work as part of a team."

As a former IT salesman, Ismail was new to retail but this hasn't curbed his enthusiasm or determination to grow the business. "We opened our first store in Bolton in October 2005 and our second in Walthamstow in November. We were going to wait a year before opening a second store but we had a feel for the company, the products and our customers so it made business sense to bring this forward."

Ismail and Asif will shortly be opening a third store in Preston and are aiming to open a fourth in Leicester. The franchise model is built on the solid foundations of three company-owned stores in London and an established wholesale business. Ismail describes Unzè as: "Unique, innovative and stylish. Unzè is a trendsetter and the women that buy the shoes always come back for more. We have little competition, in fact everyone else wants to compete with us."

Unzè shoes primarily fall into the 'impulse buy' category but Khuram assures that the 'I need' market does not fall outside the brand's scope. "'I need shoes for a special occasion' is a common cry and increasingly Unzè is the name in London that pops into women's heads at such a time," he reflects. "As more shops open, this is a factor that can only increase. The UK market for ladies' shoes is huge, especially for shoes that women look good and feel good in - the very shoes that form the basis of the Unzè range. The best way to look at the ladies' shoe market is to realise that if the right products are available, they will always sell."

As a franchisee you will receive initial training at Unzè's Training Centre, in the Training Shop and in your own store with your staff and as the business develops additional training will be scheduled when needed. Once your prime location store has been fitted out with opening stock, display stands, point of sale materials, etc, maximum local publicity will ensure that your business opens in style and ongoing support will help you grow the business. "As an Unzè franchisee you will be running your own retail business, not working for a boss and not working for a salary," adds Khuram. "You will be the boss and the profits will be yours. Unlike a stand-alone business you will have the backing of the established and already successful Unzè brand."

Ismail adds: "I really enjoy the freedom that being an Unzè franchisee brings. I'm 100 per cent content." The highly distinctive Unzè brand is attracting interest worldwide from the UK, USA, South Africa, Australia and Asia, such is the appeal of the brand.

Khuram predicts: "The Unzè brand and its franchisees will prove to be a brand to be reckoned with in the coming years."