Summary of Operation
Ovenclean is the UK’s original oven cleaning specialist with a large network of established franchise owners. As an Ovenclean franchise owner, you can be assured of the highest standard of training and ongoing business support backed by a team with a long and successful track record in franchise development. With low overheads and high profitability, the rewards for hardworking franchise owners are unlimited.
INTIAL INVESTMENT REQUIRED £16,995 + VAT
Back in 2002, Clive and Clare Pearson, new parents of twins, made a decision that would change their lives forever.
Clare’s job in publishing involved a long commute every day into London and Clive’s work in sales often took him away from home at evenings and weekends. Having their children made them realise it was time to re-evaluate their priorities so they could play an active part in their lives.
After hearing about Ovenclean from a friend, they attended an open day and soon realised that owning an Ovenclean franchise was the perfect way to balance the demands of having a young family and maintain their high earnings. Clare could work from home, handling bookings and paperwork, while Clive would be out cleaning ovens and building the business.
A decade later, and with the twins preparing to go to secondary school in September, the Pearsons are still enjoying the flexibility that being self-employed offers.
“Having the business has meant we have been able to balance our careers with the demands of a growing family,” explains Clare. “I can be at home with the children during the day, fitting my work around dentist appointments, school plays, assemblies and the school run. We can also easily rearrange our diaries around the holidays to have a few days off with the children. This has meant that we’ve been able to see them grow up, in a way that would not have been possible if we had stayed in the corporate world.”
Although the recession has been tough for many businesses, Clare adds that being part of the Ovenclean franchise has offered a good level of security in uncertain times.
“The core customer base we have built up over the years has kept our business going strong,” she says. “Many of our friends in corporate jobs have either been made redundant or live with the threat of redundancy over their heads – we just don’t have that concern. We had a very good 2011 and 2012 is looking encouraging too.”
Over the years, the couple have grown their business substantially, which today boasts a database of several thousand customers. To keep up with this demand, the couple currently operate three vehicles over adjacent territories and have taken on two employees. Longer term plans for the couple include adding a fourth vehicle to their already thriving business, but for now Clive and Clare are just enjoying being able to concentrate on family life.
“Our personal happiness was at the top of the agenda when we made the decision to invest in the franchise, and it has delivered everything we’d hoped,” Clare continues. “As a working family, being with Ovenclean has offered us maximum flexibility. We have built a successful, rewarding business with more security and much less stress than we would have done if we had remained employees in our respective sectors.”
Asked if she had any advice for anyone considering investing in an Ovenclean franchise, Clare replies: “Just do it! Having your own business offers you the flexibility to fit your career around your lifestyle. The key to success is being prepared to work hard at the beginning to build strong relationships with your customers, as it is their loyalty that will keep you going through the years. It’s hard work, but you definitely get back what you put in.”
Written by Melissa Davies-Lawrence