Terry Langham, SMART ABC, Chelmsford

"Setting up the franchise was as easy as ABC!"

Terry LANGHAM has been delighted by the reaction in Chelmsford to the launch of his SMART ABC franchise, attributing his early success to the help of the franchisor's supportive team and, most importantly, his family. An ex-tanker driver, Terry, decided to leave a life on the road for a more varied career where he can be his own boss and build a business doing something that he enjoys.

"Looking back at what I was doing a few months ago and what I'm doing now, launching the SMART ABC franchise at the beginning of June has definitely been the right choice - and the key to that choice was my family," he reflects. "I made the decision so that I could spend more time with them but I couldn't have made the move had I not had their full backing. It was their belief and support which gave me the confidence to go for it and I'm so pleased I did.

"I arrived at my local supermarket at 6.30am on a damp Friday morning to set up for the planned launch promotion feeling a bit apprehensive, but my nerves soon disappeared when the first two customers that received quotes booked straight away. By the end of the my three day launch I'd quoted over £36,000 worth of repairs and confirmed enough bookings to fill my diary for three months. What a start!"

SMART ABC franchise owners invisibly repair minor damage to a car's paintwork in less than an hour and at affordable prices. It was the quality of this service that first attracted Terry to the franchise, that and the professional, helpful approach of its head office team. "They made setting up the franchise as easy as ABC," he comments. "In fact, it's possible to be in business just one month after becoming a franchise owner.

"The training was great. The guys in the training centre were very professional and made me feel part of the team from day one. A representative from SMART ABC was with me for the launch event and now that I am up and running there's always someone at the end of the phone should I need a little extra advice or guidance.

"My family and their support make all the difference. Financially, I had the help of a personal loan from a family member to get me up and running and my son has already shown an interest in the repair process - it would be nice to think that he may become part of the business one day. It is their understanding, belief and help which drive me to make SMART ABC Chelmsford a success."