Q. Why did you go down the franchise route? And why did you choose your franchise?
CW: I decided to go for the tried and tested option rather than the more risky alternative of setting up on my own. Franchising provides the best of both worlds: I get to be my own boss but I still benefit from the training and support of the franchisor.
Having worked in the motor manufacturing industry before, I wanted to stay hands-on and always had a keen interest in cars. It made sense to look for a business that involved one of my passions.
I was drawn to Revive! in particular as it is a strong recognisable brand, with proven operating procedures, a history of business success and ongoing marketing support.
I was really impressed with the website material and the professionalism of the franchisor. Having met some of the existing franchise owners, everyone talked positively about both the franchise and the franchisor, which was an obvious encouragement for me. Revive! stood head and shoulders above the competition.
Q. What did you do before taking up a franchise?
CW: I was an improvements engineer at Toyota for 18 years. I guess that’s where my love of cars first started.
Q. What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
CW: The training programme at Revive! is incredible and the support from head office has been great. In my first week, an existing Revive! franchise owner stayed with me and I welcomed having his wealth of knowledge and experience.
The skills I learnt from my previous job have given me a head start but there is so much more to learn and Revive! gives you all the tools and resources to do that.
While I feel comfortable working with cars, I’ve never run my own business before, so I was quite daunted by the prospect. However, head office has been amazing so far. They have taken me through every aspect of running a business. I’ve already learned so much about marketing, bookkeeping and invoicing.
One thing that sets Revive! apart from the competition was the ongoing support and training available to franchise owners. All Revive! franchise owners are given the opportunity to achieve full ATA accreditation, following exams and practical assessments organised by the Institute of the Motor Industry. It’s a qualification which means you have a very high level of expertise and industry knowledge and therefore makes you one of the best qualified technicians in the field. I’m looking forward to getting this under my belt soon.
Q. What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?
CW: Before I joined Revive! I carried out a wealth of research to help make my final decision. A good tip someone gave me was to write down what you are looking to achieve: quality of life first, type of work you enjoy and are good at, finance requirements and how you want to progress the business.
Once I received all the information from prospective franchises, I was able to compare the results with my original ‘achievements list’ and filter through the franchise models that didn’t fit the bill.
It’s important to meet the franchisor. When I met Mark Llewellyn and Terry Mullen, Revive!’s Managing Directors, I knew immediately they were both people I could work with and trust. I also had the opportunity to talk to a few of the existing franchise owners, which gave me a valuable insight into life at Revive! and I was impressed with the responses I got.
Q. Would you recommend Revive! to potential franchisee?
CW: Definitely. Even if you have no experience in this field of work, the training programme and ongoing support is so substantial that it won’t be a problem. Like everything in life however, you only achieve success if you are prepared to work hard – you get what you give and I’m prepared to go the long-haul with Revive!
Q. What are your plans for the future?
CW: As a new starter, I want Revive! to be the number one vehicle bodywork repairer in the area. I will work hard to establish myself, earn a good reputation and build a solid base of work. In five years time, I’d like to be in a position where I have a strong team working with me and a fleet of vans servicing Burton-upon-Trent and its surrounding area.