Franchise Focus
Go Rainbow
Rainbow International makes the transition from employee to business owner easier
INVESTMENT LEVEL: £20,000* J
onathan and Maureen Hargreaves-Townson have demonstrated how to build a successful business from modest beginnings. Their Rainbow International franchise started out as one ‘man and a van’ but from that they have built one of the top- performing businesses in Rainbow’s UK network, creating 17 full-time jobs. Their dedicated approach and re- investment has seen sustained growth. A recent example of their success being the clinching of a specialist cleaning contract with a large supermarket group. Jonathan and Maureen cover areas in the North West for Rainbow. Here Jonathan explains how they have become so successful.
Why did you choose franchising? I was 30 when I started looking for a business and I soon realised that I needed an established business if I was to reach my goals quickly. Franchising gives you an established business with all the standards, policies and procedures in place. You basically buy a business that is several years ahead of a start-up and you have more chance of earning a profit in your first year.
What attracted you to the Rainbow Franchise?
A friend that I had worked with in the past has a Rainbow franchise and he had been paying more in corporation tax than
I had been earning! He gave me lots of information regarding the business, which helped me then make the decision to buy a Rainbow franchise.
How has business been since starting your franchise? In an ever-changing and adapting environment in the last 11 years we have made a profit every year.
“Franchising gives you an established business with all the standards, policies and procedures in place”
How do you manage the work-life family balance?
My wife is a partner in the business and works with me. When starting any business, the commitment in the beginning is very demanding. The hours are long but the reward gives you the balance. You need to create a team structure that allows you to delegate your workload, which gives you more free time. It can take time to get the right calibre of people, so you have to set this as a goal when you begin your business.
Maureen and Jonathan Hargreaves-Townson with some of their team and head office staff
If you could give one piece of advice to someone on how to win business what would it be? Think positively, negativity drains you and brings you down. Don’t be scared to go after new business. No amount of theory makes you an expert, you only become an expert by doing the work and learning from your experiences. If someone asks if you can do a job the answer is always “Yes!”, it is amazing how you suddenly become an expert and people come to you for advice.
What business plans do you have to grow in the future?
I set myself long and short-term goals to achieve my business objectives and once I have achieved a goal I set another one. For example, when I started my franchise, my long-term goal was to win Franchisee of the Year, we finally did this in January 2012. I have now set a new goal to be the only franchisee to win it three times. n
*A Rainbow International franchise starts from as little as £20,000, with matched bank funding (subject to status). Rainbow has opportunities across the UK and can tailor a business opportunity to suit your own individual circumstances and pocket.
RAINBOW INTERNATIONAL
WEBSITE:
www.rainbow-int.co.uk/ businessopportunities
EMAIL:
businessopportunities@rainbow-int.co.uk
PHONE: 01623 675 185 CLASSIFICATION: Specialist cleaning services
October 2013 |
Businessfranchise.com | 143
Investment: £20k-£50k
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