After a 25 year career in human resources Bruce Meredeen swapped being an employee with being his own boss by owning a PC Pal franchise.
Meredeen (pictured) launched his PC Pal franchise, which provides mobile computer repairs to homes and small businesses, in October 2010. He said: “I chose PC Pal because it provided a clear and appealing prospectus describing a full turnkey package that suited to my then limited technical and commercial know how. After getting good vibes from talking to the franchisors by phone, I met Jat and Julia Mann in Solihull and established that they were great people who had personally set up a successful franchise. I sensed that we could work together well and so it has proven in practice.”
Although Meredeen admits that he was nervous before launching his business, he was confident in the knowledge that he had the full support of the PC Pal head office. Meredeen added: “My life has changed considerably now my franchise is established and regular work is coming in. I enjoy running my own business because it offers both technical and commercial challenges and rewards. I have gained confidence as an entrepreneur and at marketing and networking. The pleasure I get from fixing a PC problem or from assisting a customer with a computer issue is both greater and more immediate than I ever experienced in human resources and there’s nothing like banking my own takings. I feel more alive, more competent and much happier than I have for years. My confidence away from the job has also increased.”
Despite the fact that he has been operating his business for only six months, Meredeen already has plans to see his business expand. He said: “In the future I want to consolidate the business both by capturing new customers and doing more work for established customers, both residential and small business. I also want to build the business up over the duration of the first franchise term to a point where I can oversee my original area while expanding into an adjacent territory, perhaps ultimately becoming a hub franchise owner.”
Published: 30 March 2011
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