The perfect franchise for gadget lovers
Before launching his Camberely-based CeX store, Kerry Tan enjoyed a successful career in various management and sales roles but, eager to pursue his entrepreneurial dreams, decided to look into starting his own business.
“I wanted to set up a business with, and for, my family,” he explains. “I wanted a low-risk avenue to starting a business – one with strong brand recognition, a good infrastructure and logistical support – which is why I looked into franchising.”
Kerry and his brothers, Ranny and Lenny, were aware of CeX and its business concept, but it was not until they read an article in The Franchise Magazine that they discovered its franchise offering.
“CeX has everything we were looking for,” says Kerry. “It has a proven business model, a well-established brand and strong support within the corporate and franchise network, and to top it off, franchise owners and employees seem to genuinely enjoy working in the business.”
Established in 1992, CeX is a revolutionary recycling retailer specialising in the buying, selling, exchanging and donating of a range of electronic products including mobile phones, video games, DVDs, computers and electronic gadgets.
To ensure the brothers got their business off to the best start possible, CeX provided them with ongoing step-by-step support, starting with initial training, store location identification, store design, stock selection and hands-on operations training.
“Before launching our store we received four days of initial in-store training, followed by more hands-on training in a corporate CeX store,” explains Kerry. “This was further supplemented by various classroom-based training on different aspects of running a business such as HR and health and safety.”
Once up and running, franchise owners receive ongoing training and procedure updates together with expert advice on further stock selection, testing, marketing, loss prevention and pricing updates via CeX’s bespoke EPOS system, that has been specially designed over 20 years for buying and selling.
“Since launching our store I have received excellent support, especially from my dedicated Franchise Manager. Due to the first-rate training and support that CeX provide, I was, and still am, well-prepared for the huge responsibility that comes with running and owning a business.”
While being a business owner can have its challenges, Kerry insists that all of the hard work is worthwhile and is pleased to say that, so far, all of his expectations have been met.
“Being a franchise owner has set me on a great journey – it has really changed my life. I am now working for myself and employ others, so my actions and decisions will have an impact on the success of my business.
“I have a lot going on at the moment, but I know that if I work hard I will reap the benefits rather than being left to the whims and fancies of my employer had I continued to be employed.”
With only a couple of months of trading behind him, Kerry is already seeing the results of his efforts and is keen to expand his business further.
“I aspire to be a multi-store franchise owner,” he reveals. “I love watching our business develop and seeing the smile on each of our customers faces, which tells me that we have given them a positive customer experience in our store.”
Written by Tiffany Brooking