Swisher rates as a great exchange for former City trader

When Mike Hine faced redundancy as a City trader for a third time, he decided to take control of his life and become a Swisher franchise owner

Mike Hine had forged a successful 30-year career as a City trader dealing in foreign exchange markets but when City restructuring saw him facing a third redundancy, he decided enough was enough and, after looking at the options available, decided franchising was the best.

"I'd always wanted to own my own business," explains Mike, who owns the Swisher Southend and Romford franchises. "The third redundancy got the message through to me – I was approaching 50 and the City was no longer for me. I researched the franchise market as it was a clear way to establishing a company quickly with reduced start-up risks."

With franchising his chosen route to business success, Mike researched which industry sector and opportunity met his criteria.

"I was looking at essential services," he says. "I looked at food and, conversely, hygiene. Swisher catered for a market need and was a sensible choice. Compared to food franchises, there were considerably less overheads."

Since launching his Romford and Southend franchises, Mike has enjoyed great success, although occasionally changes in Government legislation have presented new challenges.

"After great initial successes, the business' client base was hit by the introduction of the smoking ban in pubs where I had good clients," remembers Mike. "Fortunately, thanks to a diverse client base, which includes continuing expansion into the local authorities and schools contracts, I have been able to carry on in business despite the financial tribulations of recent times suffered by much of the business world." Now that his business is well established and continues to thrive, Mike is already planning his next steps.

"I'm 56 years old in July this year, so I'm not looking to wrap things up just yet," he laughs. "I envisage continuing to grow my company so that when I ultimately look to retire I have a viable business to pass on to my son or sell to a new franchise owner."

With more than six years as a successful franchise owner under his belt, Mike advises potential franchise owners to make sure they carry out lots of research before choosing a business opportunity.

"When choosing Swisher, it's important to consider what and to who you're going to be selling the concept. Some people think selling business to business is easy – but you're dealing with business people who are concerned with the bottom line. What they want and what they're prepared to pay are different things. "You must also be prepared to get your hands dirty. While it's a management franchise you have to know the game from top to bottom."

Summary of Operation

B-Environmental Swisher is a global brand providing effective, environmentally responsible solutions to the world's hygiene and odour problems.

Wherever people gather, the smells and the germs associated with them can cause problems. B-Environmental Swisher franchise owners work to eliminate the problems related to waste products, tobacco and smoke fumes, refuse and drains in a variety of places including hotels, pubs, kitchens, restaurants, toilets, hospitals, offices, animal centres and public transport.

All B-Environmental Swisher franchise owners and their staff are trained to the highest levels so they can deliver an unequalled service to their customers in an ever expanding industry.

'Clean by Nature', B-Environmental Swisher franchise owners operate succesfully across the UK with a continuously growing network.

Reported by Fraser McKay