Special Feature
which ensures the cashflow of each franchise business is good from day one. Whilst saving the need for office-based administration and accounts staff, our franchise partners are free from invoice queries and cash collection, which enables them to focus attention on running a profitable business. We return 100 per cent of each franchise partner’s marketing levy back into their own territory so that it benefits them entirely. It enables them to cement the Screen Rescue brand in their local community in whatever way they choose. This further reduces their advertising and marketing spends and helps retain more profit on their bottom line.
What incentives are you offering to attract franchisees with lower funds? We are offering six sister territories across the East of England – at a low-cost entry level of £6,000 plus vat, which represents a saving of £12,000 on our usual franchise licence fee.
This opportunity has been specifically designed to attract business-minded entrepreneurs who low funds but are serious about starting their own franchise business. Also, when you combine all of our usual sophisticated support systems and extensive franchise package, it is a fantastic offer for those looking for a low- cost, high-return quality investment. There has never been a better time to join Screen Rescue.
Pyjama Drama
Sarah Sear
has, for the last 12 months, been active in the Three Counties area around Liphook, Haslemere and Petersfield as franchisee for Pyjama Drama, a play and drama group for the under-sevens.
How long have you been a franchisee? I signed my franchise agreement in April and started my first classes in June 2014.
What did you do previously and how did you come to franchising? I trained as a commercial lawyer and worked in the City for 10 years before leaving to look after my children full time. For the next 10 years I did a series of part-time jobs including running a mother and toddler group, starting a music group for pre-schoolers and, most relevantly, as the children’s worker for our local parish church. In this role I ran a club for
Sarah Sear (left)
7-11 year olds every Friday evening and organised and helped to lead the Sunday school groups. I often used drama, role play and dramatic storytelling to illustrate a theme or a character.
I looked into franchising because my husband had been encouraging me to do so for years and because I could not find a flexible, local, interesting, stimulating and challenging position that fitted in with having three children and a dog!
Why did you choose Pyjama Drama in particular? Was low cost a factor? I chose Pyjama Drama for several reasons: l The quality of the end product is excellent and far better than similar companies I investigated.
l The integrity and professionalism of founder and managing director Sarah Owen and the head office team
l The strength of the franchisee network and the ability to sound off ideas amongst a group of highly motivated and similar-minded individuals
l The perceived value for money that the initial investment offered: three phased training, ongoing support, an active franchisee network and high-quality material to use in the business
What kind of training and support did you recieve and what is offered in the way of ongoing support? I have been very pleased with all I have received to date and with a continuing development of the network, I consider that the rewards from the investment are ongoing.
The initial training was demanding but I left feeling fully able to start my business within a matter of weeks. Sarah is always available for me to speak to and seek advice from on all aspects of running the classes and the business side too. My second training took place in my locality and included a formal observation of one of my classes and the opportunity to discuss my teaching style and ways to
improve. We also discussed the business in general, opportunities for growth and next steps to take. My third phase was back in head office seven months after my initial three-day training. Again it combined mixture of hands-on training as well as lots of practice behind the scenes and an opportunity to discuss matters in general as well as the specific age group the training pertained too. This final training has equipped me to seek a new area for development of my business and to start working with the Sunbeams (toddler group) age range both in school and at a Saturday club.
What are your plans for the future of your business?
I am excited about where my business could be in a year’s time. I have been very fortunate in receiving a lot of interest from nurseries and I love working with some fantastic nurseries in my area. I am keen to expand this to other nurseries locally as well further afield in my territory. I am delighted to be starting work with the Sunbeams, 5-7 year olds and have my first session next month. I am also in discussion with a local school to start an afterschool club there and again see a huge potential area for development in serving the local schools. My greatest limitation is the number of hours in a day!
What advice would you give to anyone considering a franchise? Research the franchisor carefully and thoroughly. Investigate the competition in your local area. Does this franchise offer something different / better? Talk to existing franchisees and ask them about their experiences and opinion of the franchisor. Make sure you are satisfied that you will receive what is offered in terms of training, back up and ongoing support – you will need it. Ask yourself is there something else I would rather do? If the answer is no then you are probably making the right decision – I know I have. n
March 2015 |
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