Steve, 52, who lives in Maldon with his wife and two children, worked for various blue-chip companies including Toshiba before making the decision to become his own boss.

Franchising represented the best opportunity for Steve because it allows him to control his own business, but with the support, advice and recognised brand name of a larger organisation.

Ovenu's valeting process is popular with householders across the UK, taking the pain out of one of the most hated and neglected chores. Since 1994 Ovenu's UK-wide network of 100 franchisees have cleaned more than one million ovens, microwaves, and barbeques.

Its valeting service involves dismantling key components of an oven such as the door, interior panels, fan and shelves and placing them into design-registered equipment, which uses non-caustic products to clean the oven parts.

The whole process takes around three hours and leaves the oven, hob and exterior in immaculate condition.

Steve Parker said: 'I felt it was time to make a change and becoming my own boss seemed like the best way to go. I have always worked with people, but my Ovenu business presents the best opportunity for me to work closely with local people. Cleaning the oven is such a loathed household chore I am sure I'll be a welcome sight in Chelmsford and the local area.'

Rik Hellewell said: 'Steve is a perfect example of experienced and mature businesspeople who use franchising as a way to swap careers and launch their own business. I'm sure his professional oven valeting service will be well received as local peoples' busy lives mean they have less time to spend on household chores.'

Published: 6 October 2006

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