UK Franchisee Interviews

Interviews with the individuals that have walked the walk and invested their capital in a franchise.

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Articles in the Franchisee Interviews category

June 2008: PCC (Professional Car Cleaning): Anthony Fowler, Daventry
I have always had a keen interest in cars, but I’m not mechanically minded so when I started to become restless in my office job as a Graphic Designer the decision to invest in mobile valeting franchise Professional Car Cleaning (PCC) was easy.

June 2008: Freedom Travel-Gateway: Scott Mcilvaney
MY wife Eileen and I decided to take the plunge and start our own business in 2005 with Freedom Travel Gateway’s help and have never looked back.

June 2008: Expense Reduction Analysts: Gareth Everson
I have been an Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) franchisee for five months and have been very impressed with the training and support package provided. The training programme has improved skills I already had and has also helped to develop new ones. I have found every day and activity on the training course to be very beneficial in my development as a new ERA associate.

June 2008: ChipsAway International: John Scholey, Wharfe Valley
Working as a Sales Director for a housing company I was living the corporate lifestyle, but it wasn’t for me and I wanted to build something for myself. I began looking into franchising and I came across the ChipsAway franchise opportunity while reading The Franchise Magazine.

June 2008: Belvoir Lettings: Rick Flay, Sheffield
Before I became a Belvoir franchisee I’d already had a taste of being my own boss with my own property business in Australia. When my family and I decided to move back to the UK in early 2006 I began to look for new business ventures that would utilise my experience and expertise.

June 2008: Autosheen: Len Parfitt, Cardiff
I was a butcher for over 30 years and when I sold my last shop in 2004 I spent about three years looking for something else to do.

June 2008: Caremark: Ian Coombes, Caremark
Within a year of launching my franchise I’ve developed my initial territory of Somerset and Sedgemoor, won the Caremark Award for Excellence for 2007, and I’m currently looking for suitable premises in Bristol and Swansea so I can expand my business.

April/May 2008: Platinum Property Partners: Judy Mizen, Basingstoke
Although I’ve always been interested in property, my previous career was as a physiotherapist and, more recently, housewife and mum. I’d not considered franchising until I met Platinum Property Partners co-Founder Steve Bolton at an overseas home exhibition, and heard him talk about this completely unique new franchise opportunity.

April/May 2008: Caremark: Ian Coombes, Caremark
Within a year of launching my franchise I’ve developed my initial territory of Somerset and Sedgemoor, won the Caremark Award for Excellence for 2007, and I’m currently looking for suitable premises in Bristol and Swansea so I can expand my business.

April/May 2008: Safeclean: Tim Shaw, Safeclean
I’ve been running my Safeclean franchise with my wife Nicola for 11 years and I still find everyday different, fresh and interesting. I really enjoy meeting people and providing a high quality cleaning service that our customers are happy with. When we first started our franchise we said that we wanted to offer a service that we would want for ourselves, which we have always stuck to.

April/May 2008: Northwood Residential Lettings: Scott Wilding, Northwood
I decided to invest in a franchise after the failure of my small computer business. The computer market became stagnant and my profits dwindled. I enjoyed running a business and liked being my own boss so I turned to franchising as a means to continue as I had previously, but with the guaranteed job security and stability a branded image would provide. Property franchising interested me as my father’s career was in the property market. He owns multiple properties and together we decided a lettings or estate agency franchise would be the best investment for me.

December 2007: Expense Reduction Analysts: Franchisee Diary: Derek Hodd, Hammersmith, London
In the eight years I have been with Expense Reduction Analysts my best saving has been 90 per cent, which I'm quite proud of, but it's not all about making the most savings.

September 2007: Expense Reduction Analysts: Day in the life of ERA Franchisee Brian Pinner
Brian Pinner started at ERA 15th August 1997 & has had a growing business ever since. Flexible enough to suit his needs around family, social & business life.

July/August 2007: Attiva: Former retail manager opens first Attiva club in Andove
Attiva, one of the UK's fastest growing health and fitness franchises, is pleased to announce the opening of a new club in Andover. Former retail manager and fitness enthusiast Andrew White and his wife Helen will open the doors to the gym in the Andover town centre on 9 June 2007.

July/August 2007: Plumb Local: Why PlumbLocal? Kev Stevely tells us...
"I was previously in the forces, which was quite a stressful job and involved management. I wanted to get back to basics with a hands-on job but still be working with people using my skills and to build on my experience."

July/August 2007: ElecLocal: Why ElecLocal? Franchisee Darren Sellers tells us...
"Initially I was going to try and launch a business of my own as an electrician but after investigating it I found that it was not as easy as I thought it would be...

May / June 2007: iworklife: Belinda Asonganyi, iworklife franchisee
With no previous recruitment or sales experience, mother of two Belinda Asonganyi launched her iworklife recruitment specialist franchise in October 2006.

May / June 2007: Recognition Express: Jonny Masters, Recognition Express
After 18 months running a branch of Recognition Express with a friend, entrepreneur Jonny Masters has decided to go solo and launch his own business, Recognition Express Leicester West.

May / June 2007: Chemex International: Peter Ridge, Chemex
When The Franchise Magazine last interviewed Peter Ridge from Chemex International, he was just setting out as franchisee for Buckinghamshire. Two years on and his business is entering a new phase.

May / June 2007: Bairstow Eves: Mark Hodgson and Brian Campbell, Bairstow Eves.
Mark Hodgson and Brian Campbell, the franchisees behind a number of Bairstow Eves branches in northwest England, came into estate agency from backgrounds in management consultancy and banking, respectively.

May / June 2007: TaxAssist Accountants: Jackie Bligh, TaxAssist, Torquay
I spent 15 years working as an accountant in multi-nationals and was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the ever-increasing workloads and the headcount slashing mentality.

May / June 2007: Belvoir Lettings: Graham Watts, Belvoir, North London.
For the last 10 years I'd been a landlord, managing my own properties, and found that this wasn't really compatible with working full-time as an IT manager. The logical step to me was to start looking for a way to concentrate my efforts in the property market.

April 2007: Expense Reduction Analysts: Neil Cullen, ERA franchisee
After 10 years as an Expense Reduction Analysts franchised consultant, I have just renewed my franchise for a further 10 year term and if it is anything like the last 10 years, the future is looking very bright indeed.

April 2007: Daily Poppins: Clem Munadzo, Daily Poppins, Southampton
Having worked for many years and still not achieved something tangible of my own I decided to start my own business. I had plenty of choice but the safest option available to me was to buy a franchise.

March 2007: Certax Accounting: David Nicoll, Certax, Daventry
I had spent 10 years working in London when I decided that I had had enough of the long daily commute. I looked at my opportunities and decided that I would go for it and work for myself.

March 2007: ActionCOACH: Mark Grant, ActionCOACH, London
I spent 28 years in retail and manufacturing, primarily buying for large blue chip organisations. When I was faced with redundancy I decided that although I had a lot to offer, I didn't want to work in corporate life again.

March 2007: Apollo Blinds: Colin Smith, Apollo Blinds, Hull
Making our franchise a family business has been the key to our success, in my opinion. My wife Gill has worked with me since we invested in the franchise in Hull nearly eight years ago, and in the last five years our sons Chris and Phil have also joined the business.

March 2007: Molly Maid UK: Derek Ward, Molly Maid, York and Harrogate
I'm really very happy with Molly Maid, it's the best thing I've ever done. After being employed for 30 years, I wanted to work for myself but I wanted the support of a franchise and the security of a proven business.

March 2007: All Trades Networks: Andy Lerer, All Trades, Essex
After 20 years working as a senior manager in the corporate world and having my own property development business, I was looking for a management franchise opportunity to start up my own business.

March 2007: Swisher: Terry Iles, Swisher, Swindon
It was the unique service, low investment and extensive support that attracted me to Swisher four years ago. To go it alone after working in employment for 35 years was a difficult decision, but I found Swisher to be an excellent franchise in the way it was organised.

March 2007: Printing.com (UK): Andy Hart, Printing.com, Glasgow South
In 2004 I recognised a need to expand my horizons and felt that with no experience of running a larger business I would benefit from the backing of a successful franchise.

January 2007: Bluebird Care: Tom Farrell, Bluebird Care, Warrington
I started my business, Red Line Recruitment, in 1998 supplying HGV drivers, packers, cleaners, etc to the transport sector on temporary contracts. Diversifying this already successful business really appealed to me. I was looking for a business that wasn't too different from what I was already doing. Bluebird Care is also about recruiting people and my initial impressions have been very favourable.

January 2007: Certax Accounting: Sharon Neal, CerTax Accounting, Wakefield
As a CerTax Accounting franchisee I can work the hours that suit my family, and I have bought an Audi TT - something I have always wanted. It's a good life and I wouldn't change it. In fact I'd find it very difficult working for someone else.

January 2007: Poppies: Andy Kilby, Poppies, Reigate
While most Poppies franchisees have been established for over 10 years, a relative newcomer is Andy Kilby who owns the Poppies franchise in Reigate. Before joining Poppies, Andy was a manager of a large branch of Sainsbury's. He was looking for the opportunity to use his skills and experience working for himself.

January 2007: Card Connection: Meet Card Connection franchisee Latif Twigeri
Latif Twigeri must be one of Card Connection's most qualified franchisees. He holds a degree from the United States International Europe University and an MBA from Boston University's London branch. However, Latif admits:

January 2007: Dream Doors: Dream Doors Franchisee Polly Smalley
I bought a copy of The Franchise Magazine after a friend recommended that my husband Toby and I look into franchising. It kept falling open on the Dream Doors page so we contacted them for more information and arranged to meet them at the franchise exhibition in Birmingham.

Dec 2006: London House (Services): Alfred Eccles, London House, Wolverhampton
The instability in the Middle East forced me to make an unplanned return to the UK after 15 years working in the hotel and catering industry in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Iran.

Dec 2006: Ecocleen: Franchisee Diary: Paul Tiltman, Ecocleen - Ashford
I am two years into a five year plan for my Ecocleen franchise and have contracts in place to ensure I reach a second year turnover of £290,000. I have set myself a good goal of reaching orders of £1 million a year by the end of year five.

Dec 2006: Calbarrie: Franchisee Diaries: David Bolley-Smith, Calbarrie
I started in business when I was 21, buying a shop which repaired domestic appliances. By the time I was 45 I'd moved the business into vacuum repair and was servicing a large contract with the Ministry of Defence. However, I needed to diversify and Calbarrie dovetailed neatly with the business.

Dec 2006: Swisher: Matthew Slaughter - Swisher Franchisee
I fell into catering after school and became a trained chef for 10 years, then moved into selling photocopiers for seven years. I started thinking: "I'm earning good money here but not enjoying the job on a day-to-day basis." That was when I started considering doing something for myself, but the biggest factor was my wish to spend more time with my young family (I have three kids).

Dec 2006: Recognition Express: A view on being a deaf franchisee by Adrian Simpson
First of all, you need to assess your own strengths and weaknesses, in particular the former, as it will be crucial in determining the kind of work you can realistically hope to do. Secondly, you should think about the skills & competencies you have acquired in past and present employment, including those you have gained through formal education.

September 2006: PCC (Professional Car Cleaning): Every Step of the Way...Supported by my franchisor
"If you don't ask, you don't get,"says PCC franchisee Stephen Harper, who has secured a number of Ipswich Town Football Club players as his customers. "I had the idea of approaching them to promote the services of my business. I now wash the players' cars at their training ground as well as the Chairman's car at the stadium. It's been great publicity for my business!"

September 2006: Charisnack: Freedom in Franchising...The benefits
More flexible working hours and greater free time to spend with the family, financial and personal rewards, and the freedom to make his own decisions appealed to ex-teacher Spenser Lees.

September 2006: Certax Accounting: Before Becoming a Franchisee I was...
With 25 years of experience as an accountant, Paul Matthews knew exactly what he was looking for when he invested in the CerTax Accounting franchise. "I've worked for a number of medium to large size companies but I became frustrated with the corporate politics that often occurs between departments of big businesses,"reveals Paul. "I liked the idea of opening a small practice, went for my practicing certificate and started looking at what was on the market."

September 2006: Riverford Organic Vegetables: Off to a Flying Start...
"The business has grown at lightning speed,"exclaims Rob Smith, who turned down a promotion to a senior management position to invest in a Riverford Organic Vegetables franchise. From a flying start with 116 customers, secured via leaflet drops and local media coverage, Rob and his wife Rachel have grown the business to 2,300 active customers in just 16 months.

September 2006: Recognition Express: High Hopes...My future in franchising
"I've always enjoyed selling and I wanted a business with a really good product range,"says Recognition Express franchisee Arthur Keighley. "Franchising appealed to me because, although I can sell, it's the buying of the goods at the right price that helps. Recognition Express has 25 years worth of suppliers and this really grabbed my attention."

July/August 2006: Starbrite Chemicals: Laying the Foundations...
Starbrite franchisee Richard Law is laying the foundations for a highly successful chemical distribution business in Cornwall. Since 1st April he has secured 120 customers from diverse businesses, including a 100-room hotel and a country pub.

July/August 2006: ChipsAway International: Investing in a Business...
As an experienced businessman with a long-standing involvement in franchising, Chris Bury of Lancashire knew that ChipsAway would prove a worthy investment.

July/August 2006: TruGreen: Building my Business...
Reading an advert for lawn-care franchise TruGreen in a national newspaper, Tony Lawrence found the future business he would run with his son Edmund.

July/August 2006: Northwood Residential Lettings: Strong Growth...
Martin and Fiona Bradbury are very happy Northwood franchisees. After their first year of trading they have 50 properties for sale on their books - 20 of which are sold subject to contract - 24 properties on the Platinum Guaranteed Rental Scheme and a further seven on their traditional lettings schemes, producing an income in excess of £100,000.

July/August 2006: Toasty Kitchens: How I Became a Master Licensee...
"I had a background of management in the retail sector but have always had an ambition to work on my own terms,"reveals Leeds-based Darren Hoyland. "I discovered the Toasty Kitchens brand and, I have to say, it excited me. It's a concept that I consider to have huge potential - because everyone loves Toasted sandwiches."

June 2006: Swisher: Prior to Franchising...I was a Salesman
After a successful 20 years in various sales jobs, John Ross believed that securing new employment would start becoming more difficult. "I realised I was coming to the age where maybe I needed something with a greater degree of stability,"he reflects. "I began to look into franchising with the view to secure employment for myself until retirement age."

June 2006: Belvoir Lettings: The Competitive Edge...
After becoming increasingly disillusioned with his employees, Phil Pinkney decided it was time to look for a forward-thinking franchise that would let him realise his potential.

June 2006: Rainbow International: High Hopes...
After setting up and running a logistics business in South Africa for five years, Peter and Anna Wyss decided to resettle in the UK. As a completely new start, the couple thought about becoming employed again but as Peter admits: "After working for yourself for a few years it would be quite difficult to work for a boss again!"

June 2006: Safeclean: Throughout the Years...
Having launched his business in 1982, Geraint Williams is the longest serving Safeclean franchisee in the UK. Although he originally trained as an accountant he admits that it wasn't the career for him: "I didn't like working within four walls and was looking to start up on my own,"recalls Geraint. "The question I faced however, was what to do?"

June 2006: Chemex International: Every Step of the Way...
After a career in the sports retail sector, Paul Torrent was getting frustrated at the long hours, high mileage lifestyle his work was giving him, and wanted to work for himself. After studying the franchise sector of business, Paul decided that he wanted a business that dealt in repeat order, consumable products in a secure and stable market sector.

April/May 2006: An introduction to franchising: A 'Business Marriage'
If franchising is a form of 'business marriage', you would be well advised to go through rigorous courtship before you take your vows. Stuart Anderson speaks to Franchise Development Services Managing Director Roy Seaman

December 2005: Paperfix: A franchisee reveals how he built his business
Chris began his training with PAPERfix at the start of January and began trading mid February 2005. Here he talks candidly abouthis first eight months: "At the beginning I was both nervous and excited; it was strange being scared of the unknown but really looking forward to it."

December 2005: Driver & Warehouse: Top for training...My franchisor gave me a head start
Equipped with business operational training and two large contracts passed on by head office, Driver & Warehouse (D&W) franchisee Ian Mulreany got his Glasgow-based agency franchise off to a sprint start.

December 2005: The Ink Drop: Prior to Franchising...I was a lawyer
Despite having no experience of running a business, selling, or dealing with customers, after taking over The Inkdrop's Wolverhampton outlet, Faye and Nathan Fish are thriving.

December 2005: Chemex International: I sold my business to buy a franchise
Being in business on your own can be lonely. That's why Kelvin Bennett from Wirral sold his 12-strong chain of coffee shops in favour of becoming a franchisee with cleaning products distribution franchise Chemex.

December 2005: TruGreen: Going into franchising...Why I invested in a franchise
"I spent most of my life working for huge companies and decided that I really wanted to do my own thing,"says TruGreen franchisee Shaun Mackaness.

December 2005: Filta Group: Beating the targets...
Following nine months of hard work securing contracts Filta Fry franchisee Steve Edwards is now having to turn away work, such is the interest in his on-site cooking oil microfiltration service.

December 2005: Swisher: Excellent growth...
Turning redundancy into opportunity, Manchester-based Martin Lawler invested in a Swisher franchise earlier this year and after just eight months is reporting annual repeat business of over £100,000.

October 2005: Northwood Residential Lettings: Top for Training...Supported by my franchisor
Researching business models for his previous employer, Nick Harris discovered the benefits and potential of franchising.

October 2005: Starbrite Chemicals: Prior to Franchising...I worked for a Sheikh
As an estate manager for a Sheikh, Chris Stevenson had spent the last decade looking after all manner of interests for the super-rich.

October 2005: Certax Accounting: Finding My Franchise...
How I researched the opportunities available.

October 2005: Revive!: The Competitive Edge...
My franchise beats the competition.

October 2005: Matrix Direct Recycle: Prior to Franchising...I was a Royal Navy Officer
After spending most of the past 22 years aboard submarines patrolling the world's oceans, you could easily think that your choice of career might be limited.

September 2005: TruGreen: Talking to Franchisees
TruGreen's Growing Opportunities...

September 2005: Furniture Pro: Talking to Franchisees
"I couldn't wait to get started!"

July/August 2005: Cleaning Doctor: Talking to....a cleaning doctor franchisee
The best advertisement for a franchise is always the success of its franchisees, and this was the case for Peter Appleby, from Shipley, West Yorkshire, who was introduced to Cleaning Doctor during a round of golf.