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for property insurance claims management specialists Aspray. “The majority working with us means that a franchisee has no competition,” he says.
of our work is insurance, which is not affected by recession,” she points out. “And as interest rate cuts take effect, we believe that rst time buyers in
e Aspray franchisees have a good cash ow, she says, and strong franchisor particular will think it is time to get into the market place.” Since so many
support in marketing their business too. “We’ve been in business since 2005, home owners have not sold over the last year or so, having a well-presented
so we have a successful marketing plan and know what works – we know property will make all the difference – hence the demand for the services of
where we are spending our money and where our income is coming from. home improvement franchises. Business is pretty good, Mr Fryatt points out.
So we help our franchisees along the way, instead of just leaving them to That’s the view too of Tony and June Brewer, The Garage Conversion
their own devices.” Company’s Brighton franchisees. “With less people now moving house, we
And choosing the right home improvement franchise can make all the strongly believe that garage conversions will increase,” says Mr Brewer. And
difference in 2009 and beyond, says David Fryatt, franchise development their home improvements franchise has transformed life for the couple, after
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manager at Moss Rid which has just appointed its rst franchisee. “As the years in retail and nancial services. “When you come across a great business
only ISO 9001:2000 accredited company doing roof restoration in the UK, opportunity with a unique product, you just have to go for it.” ��
ASPRAY
“We promise a premier league service”
ANDY AND VIKKI NIBLETT
AS A FORMER ChemDry franchisee, Andy
Niblett had years of experience working in
ood and re restoration. Yet when he and
his wife Vikki heard of Aspray and decided
to become its Solihull and Warwickshire
franchisees, there was still plenty to learn.
The rst skill was learning to work out
which were viable cases. “It’s been a bumpy
ride, especially over the rst six months,”
says Mr Niblett. “But I know a lot of good
contractors, and that’s what counts in this
business, along with self-con dence, honesty
and a good work ethic.”
And despite wider economic problems,
Aspray is riding high, says Mr Niblett. “The
economic climate has had no effect at all,”
he admits. “Because this is as near recession
proof as you can get. We promise a
premier league service, and that’s just what
we’re doing.”
And with a troubled global economy, Mr
Niblett has some advice for any prospective
franchisee reeling from the blows of the last
year. “If you want to join Aspray, then get
in quick,” he says. “I saw the potential from
the start, and I’m so glad I did, because the
future is looking good.”
THE FLAT ROOF COMPANY
“We know we’ve picked a winner”
MIKE AND JULIE SINGLETON
FORMER PARAMEDIC Mike Singleton changed direction completely when
he became a Flat Roof Company franchisee, but he and his wife Julie are loving
every moment. “Doing the wages, tax, VAT and national insurance was a steep
learning curve for me,” says Ms Singleton, who works part-time in the franchise
and part-time as a practice nurse too. “But having a good accountant helped.”
The Manchester-based couple found that getting to grips with roo ng was a
learning curve too, even after Mr Singleton had spent years as a DIY enthusiast
and studied joinery too. “We’ve always had great support from the franchisor,
and if there was a problem someone would come from head of ce to help,” says
Mrs Singleton.
And the recession is passing the couple by. “It hasn’t made any difference to
us, because we’re not a luxury item,” says Mrs Singleton. “If the roof leaks, people
have to get it xed, so there’s been no difference in our enquiries or sales. And the
materials we use last for years – you pay a bit more, but it makes all the difference.
“We know we’ve picked a winner, and it’s working very well for us, recession
or no recession,” adds Mrs Singleton. “We’re very lucky, and we’d recommend it to
anyone.”
Next month’s special feature: Franchise resales
February 2009
www.businessfranchise.com
BF023-027_SpecialFture_Feb09.indd 3 7/1/09 13:15:44
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