Swisher proves a good investment for former banker

B-Environmental Swisher is a global franchise opportunity providing effective, green solutions to the world’s hygiene and odour problems. Fraser McKay speaks to Colchester franchise owner Jeremy Mumford

With 25 years of global banking under his belt, Jeremy Mumford knew a good investment when he saw one. When the City downsized in 2002, he decided to leave London to spend more time with his family. After researching the franchise market for a suitable role, he found Swisher and is now the brand's main franchise owner for East Anglia.

"I had worked in banking for most of my life with global responsibilities for many back office operations at an investment bank and had spent a large part of my life travelling," Jeremy explains.

"However, I wanted to get back some of my family life and, when I left the City, decided not to return."

He decided that a franchise proved the perfect business prospect, offering him the chance to work hours to suit his family life as well as providing him with a sellable asset upon his retirement.

"I wanted a well-established franchise with global branding," says Jeremy. "From there I made my own assessments and trimmed my shortlist further, with Swisher coming out top. It is a franchise with a low-tech product that didn't require expensive training for employees and caters for a ready market that people need and want."

Jeremy used his savings to buy Swisher's Colchester franchise and, working alongside a salesperson, he launched his business with great success.

"We hit our targets over the first 12 months, which gave us the confidence and growth to expand the team further," he continues. "We are members of various business networking groups and operate a marketing programme contacting local businesses. We work hard and get the results – we are now a team of six, running four vehicles throughout East Anglia." Jeremy has nothing but praise for the help he has received from Swisher's franchise support team, which has contributed to his success.

"All the support I need is there," he says. "I can get on with my day-to-day running of the business knowing the Swisher back-office support is producing invoices and chasing payments when required to keep the accounting system running smoothly.

"They offer access to a number of national contracts, which we have benefited from and, most importantly, they own the brand so the products are of a high quality and available at the right price."

With his business constantly growing, Jeremy has no hesitation in recommending the Swisher franchise opportunity as the demand for the brand's services are almost limitless.

"Wherever there are people, there will be offensive smells and the germs associated with them can cause problems," he explains. "Swisher works to eliminate the problems related to waste products, smoke fumes, rubbish and drains in a whole host of places including hotels, pubs, kitchens, restaurants, toilets, hospitals, offices and on public transport."

Among the attibutes Jeremy suggests are essential for being a Swisher franchise owner include being realistic and focused, have a good head for accounts, as well as enjoying hard work.

"A franchise is a far safer prospect than starting an ordinary company and it's a very satisfying experience running your own firm," he says. "The business is still out there and, while a recession may be upon us, it's a good time to start. If you can survive now, learn the market and gain experience, you will be ready to pick up the contracts when the good times come back."