Initial investment required £9,500 +VAT
After leaving his role as Contract Manager for a scaffolding company in 2008, Cliff Barlow went on to start his own marketing and development business, but it wasn’t long before he was ready to take on another challenge.
While searching the internet for cleaning and car valeting business opportunities, Cliff came across award-winning domestic and commercial cleaning franchise Well Polished.
“As I have a background in sales I knew that I would be suited to a business like Well Polished,” explains Cliff. “For me the most appealing thing about Well Polished was its reputation and the brand recognition it provided. I was also very impressed with what existing Well Polished franchise owners had to say about the business and Managing Director Sandra Venables.”
To prepare for the launch of his Wigan-based business, Cliff attended a comprehensive four-day training course, which covered all aspects of the management franchise from marketing and recruitment to price strategies and cleaning standards.
“I regularly call or visit clients to check that they are happy with our service,” says Cliff. “In this sort of business reputation is everything, as a lot of business is obtained through word of mouth from satisfied clients. So when I recruit cleaners, I make sure that I get the right people for the job and ensure they meet the Well Polished cleaning standards.”
Since launching his Well Polished franchise in January 2011, Cliff has enjoyed being part of a franchise network and has taken a proactive approach to marketing his franchise by attending a local business networking group, distributing flyers and developing new marketing strategies.
“I have been my own boss for a while so I am used to the perks that come with being self employed, but I’ve found one of the main benefits of joining a franchise business is the support I receive from Sandra and other franchise owners.”
With the ambition of building a successful and profitable business, in October 2011 Cliff expanded his management portfolio by purchasing his second Well Polished territory in St Helens. “As my office and networking group is based in St Helens, it seemed like the perfect platform to launch my second territory,” says Cliff. “My favourite part of the business is meeting new people and developing good relationships, which I will continue to do while building a strong service reputation in my local areas.”
Well Polished franchise owners can establish their own domestic and commercial cleaning management franchise, which can be operated on a part-time or full-time basis. As this franchise can be run from home, there are no overheads and all cleaning contracts are paid in advance so you don’t have to worry about chasing late payments. Well Polished also offers its franchise owners multiple income streams with its domestic cleaning and commercial cleaning services and its ironing service, Well Pressed.
Written by Tiffany Brooking