Readers' Lives

Dorset couple Martin and Elizabeth Tapley are looking forward to a Caribbean holiday reward when they make a success of their TaxAssist Accountants franchise, which they spotted in The Franchise Magazine

Q: Where did you pick up your copy of The Franchise Magazine?
Martin: We special ordered our copy of the October/November 2006 edition (pictured) at our local WH Smith.

Q: Were you already researching franchising?
M: Yes, we had started researching franchising a few months before hand.

Q. What made the TaxAssist Accountants profile stand out?
M: Elizabeth sent off for more information on about 10 franchises including TaxAssist Accountants. Initially we decided to set up our own catering company - however this fell through so out came the paperwork again. I could not stop re-reading the information on the TaxAssist Accountants franchise package.

Q. How did you get in touch with TaxAssist Accountants?
M: We contacted the company through its corporate website.

Q: What was your initial impression of the TaxAssist Accountants management team?
M: Very positive. My wife and I were invited to a discovery day and got to meet the company directors. The whole team had an impressive togetherness and created a positive atmosphere.

Q. Where is your business based and when did you start trading?
M: We launched our Poole-based shop-front franchise in August 2007.

Q: What was your previous occupation?
M: I was a pub Area Manager and managed a team of Area Managers.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being your own boss?
M: Without a doubt it is the fact that I no longer have to report to anyone else. After nearly 20 years of corporate life it was time to prove that my wife and I can develop our own successful business.

Q. Since becoming your own boss have you been able to reward yourself?
M: The reward (two years in) is that my wife and I are on target for achieving our required levels of growth. However, our nine and seven year old sons keep reminding us that we have promised to go on a family holiday to the Caribbean at the end of our fifth year of trading.

Q. What are your interests outside running your business?
A: I am a keen golfer and I also love going out for walks along Dorset's famous Jurassic coastline (pictured).

Q: Who is your hero in the business world?
A: I would say the Dragon's Den team - although I do not have a personal requirement to achieve the same level of income as any of them. But then again none of them have the pleasure of living in Dorset!

Q: When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: As a child I was torn between becoming a croupier in Las Vegas and a professional golfer.