27
DREAM DOORS “We’re looking forward to a strong year”
e
c
i
a
l
f
e
a
t
u
r
e
s
p
JUSTIN AND ISOBEL DUNN
WORKING LONG hours and travelling the country as a contracts Yet despite his familiarity with kitchens as part of the refurbishment
manager for an of ce refurbishment company was great when he was business, Mr Dunn admits to early errors, including ordering the wrong
younger, says Justin Dunn, but as he got older he wanted more home life. doors. “But you learn fast, and when it’s costing you pounds you don’t
So when he and his wife Isobel heard the Kingston and Twickenham make that mistake again,” he says.
Dream Doors franchise was available, they jumped at the chance. Now the franchise is set to expand through 2009, with two new
“Actually I’m probably working longer hours now,” Mr Dunn admits. “But members of staff in the pipeline and a striking new showroom too.
closer to home, and working for myself, which is far better. And I enjoy “January is always the acid test, when people hit the sales instead,” says Mr
seeing the nished job after just a few days, instead of months – domestic Dunn, “but we have a product that sells well, and after nearly three years
customers are far nicer to work with.” as franchisees we’re looking forward to a strong year.”
GARAGE CONVERSION COMPANY “Our customers like the fact we are a husband and wife team”
DIANA AND BARRY WILKINS
AFTER 13 YEARS of running her own therapeutic massage business,
former nurse Diana Wilkins had the business experience to become a
successful franchisee. And combined with her husband Barry’s years in
the building trade, the Garage Conversion Company franchisees are on
to a winner.
They started their Dartford, Ilford and Romford franchise in February
2006, and Mrs Wilkins’ communication skills mean that work is booked for
months ahead. With a couple of their own attic conversions behind them,
the couple work together on site too – Mrs Wilkins lends a hand with
plasterboard, skirting boards and coving too.
“Working as a team has enabled us to keep the overheads to a
minimum which is important when running your own business,” says Mrs
Wilkins. “Our customers like the fact that we are a husband and wife team
– it gives them a sense of con dence that the job will be done properly.”
And being as a woman in the traditionally male-dominated home
improvement industry is an advantage, she adds: “I personally feel that
people are less intimidated by a female sales person.” Now the couple
are branching out with GCC’s sister franchise Eco Driveway Company, as
business booms and the couple look forward to a great year ahead.
www.businessfranchise.com February 2009
BF023-027_SpecialFture_Feb09.indd 4 7/1/09 13:15:58
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116 |
Page 117 |
Page 118 |
Page 119 |
Page 120 |
Page 121 |
Page 122 |
Page 123 |
Page 124 |
Page 125 |
Page 126 |
Page 127 |
Page 128 |
Page 129 |
Page 130 |
Page 131 |
Page 132 |
Page 133 |
Page 134