After being recommended the Drain Doctor Plumbing franchise by a friend, Stuart and Michele Brock have re-launched the franchise’s Bedford location.
Stuart Brock (pictured with Michele Brock) has a background in engineering and building, however after 12 years of working in the industry he decided it was time for a change. He said: “I wanted to start my own business in an area where I had some experience. I also wanted to work with the public and be in a position to employ Michele as well. The Drain Doctor model just ticked all the right boxes for us.”
Michele Brock is an experienced bookkeeper and administrator, and she will use her skills to run the office side of the business. She said: “Once we had settled on a Drain Doctor franchise we realised that this would take a lot of training and expertise. Despite the recession we felt that the time was right to start a business based on a tried and tested formula.”
The couple had been researching various franchise businesses for a while when they looked at the Drain Doctor model on the recommendation of close friend Martin Humphrey, who has run the Stevenage and Luton franchise since February 2010. Mr Brock said: “Martin’s franchise and the Bedford and Milton Keynes franchise were originally parts of the same franchise area. Martin purchased his area when the franchise owner was downsizing, and he knew that he would be looking to sell the remaining part of his business in the future.
“Martin also knew we were looking into starting our own business and that’s what got us interested in Drain Doctor. After talking to Martin and the existing franchise owner we found that it has a proven system that offers a recession-proof opportunity where we can be an independent operator running our own business but with all the back-up that comes with being part of a large national organisation that will help to ensure we can deliver on our promises.”
Those promises include a full 24 hour per day seven days a week service with no call out charges and fixed-price, no obligation quotes with a full guarantee on all work. Mr Brock added: “It was a real eye-opener seeing the amount of support that we can expect. I am really looking forward to starting and I can’t wait to get stuck in.”
The Brocks will be starting their business with one van fully equipped to tackle any plumbing emergency but plan to have another van and an additional experienced technician on the road as soon as possible. They will be covering Bedford, Milton Keynes and the surrounding towns and villages.
Published: 13 January 2011
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