Special Feature
in my own hands. Not many people can say that and you can’t put a price on long-term security, particularly in today’s economic climate.
Voucher Packs
said he might be able to get me a new contract but, driving back from the meeting, I thought about it and decided I would rather stick with Voucher Packs. You’re more in control of your own destiny with your own business. The return you get is directly equivalent to the amount of effort you put in. Everything is starting to pick up and December was my best month so far!
What are your plans for the future of the business?
My eventual aspiration is to take over the Southport area with Voucher Packs as well. I’ve seen how successful it is in other areas so it is now a case of putting my best foot forward and making this year the best it can be.
D
erek Evans, a 67-year- old grandfather-of-three, was made redundant from his role with IT and communications company Selex at the
beginning of 2012. He used it as a springboard to launch his own franchise with Voucher Packs, which designs, prints and delivers leaflets through Royal Mail to thousands of homes every month.
What attracted you to franchising? I got a bit of money from being made redundant and my wife Sue and I decided we would spend some money on a salon she owned in Southport to give it a facelift. Three months after I left, Selex asked if I would come back as a part-time contractor, which I did. We had started doing the upgrade of the salon at the end of September and we were looking around for ways of promoting our revamp when one night my wife Sue showed me a Voucher Pack that had come through our door. I looked at it and said it sounded like a good idea. That’s when I opened it up I saw there was an advert for franchising opportunities with them – I came on board as a franchisee a couple of months later.
Why did you choose to invest with Voucher Packs in particular? I chose Voucher Packs because it was convenient for me at the time and it was familiar territory in terms of dealing with the public and dealing with other businesses. Since then, the training has been excellent and the support has always been there when I need it.
Are you enjoying your new role as a Voucher Packs franchisee? When I finally left Selex, my line manager
What advice would you give to anyone that has been made redundant? If you are made redundant you shouldn’t let it get you down. You should look for a way of turning your life around and making things more positive – a franchise is a great way of doing that. It gives you a reason to get out of bed in the morning and if you can make some money at the same time then all the better.
Agency Express
Why did you choose to invest in an Agency Express franchise? I made my decision based on several factors; the professional way my enquiries were dealt with by the Agency Express team, the strength of the franchise package, the impressive growth of the business in the last 12 years and the proven business model. I also received fantastic feedback when speaking to other franchisees about their experiences, which gave me the extra confidence to proceed.
What are the benefits of being an Agency Express franchisee? Starting this venture was a complete departure from what I’ve been doing for the last 10 years. I was confident I could handle the business relationship side of things but I was nervous about the physical and practical side. Three months on, I’ve really enjoyed the work and being out in the fresh air. I joke that from the driver’s seat of my van I get the best office view in the country.
What challenges have you faced? Building a business from scratch is both rewarding and terrifying. There is always something new to learn and, whilst head office is there with support and advice, you can never forget that with your own business the money stops with you. Needless to say, now I’m in control of my future, I don’t have the fear of redundancy.
M
artin Shuker is the franchisee in the Lancaster and South Lake District territory for Agency Express, the UK’s only
nationwide ‘For Sale’ board company. Prior to running his own franchise, Martin worked as a business manager in FMCG (fast-moving consumer goods).
What attracted you to franchising and why this sector? I’d been made redundant twice in five years and I wanted to have more control over my own destiny. Also, I’ve always worked away a lot and I was looking for a better work-life balance so I could spend more time with my family. With Agency Express, I am totally in
control of my daily schedule and, with a little forward planning, my hours and days can be flexible to suit my needs.
How have you found your experience of running the business so far? I’ve really enjoyed the experience and have learnt a lot in the first three months. I’ve never felt on my own because the back-up from head office has been great! There have been times when I’ve worried about securing the work, as any new business would, but I am now establishing a solid base of customers from which I can grow the business to a good level of income.
What advice would you give to those that have been made redundant? For anyone that has been made redundant and has had the same fears and frustration as me, I would say consider franchising. Investing my redundancy money in a franchise has been a great choice for me; I’m now building my own future and I’m in control. Prospective franchisees should remember, however, to be realistic in their business planning and accept that during the start-up phase there will be times when the rewards seem slow in coming. Finally, when you get new customers, focus on customer service above all else. n
February 2014 |
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