Special Feature Optic-Kleer
on my first day and invoiced £3,787 in my first 19 days.
What makes Optic-Kleer different? Managing director David Overton has concession agreements in place with major supermarkets, including Tesco, so I was able to have a ready available market from day one.
What drew you to franchising? I was made redundant in April 2016. I soon realised that being 55 years of age is not the best time to be seeking new employment. I knew that with the correct application I could run a successful business of my own.
Why did you choose Optic-Kleer in particular?
David Rowe
David is Optic-Kleer’s newest franchisee, having just completed his training and started trading. David lives in the picturesque town of Chudleigh in Devon with his wife Carol and daughter Alexandra.
Why were you so keen to talk about your first month? When I was researching the franchise market before I made my purchase, I read lots of articles about businesses that lost money in their first year and only broke even in their second. Optic-Kleer is different – I started repairing windscreens
I had booked Optic-Kleer to fix both my own and my daughter’s car with Merv Myers from Torquay. As we chatted over a cup of coffee I discovered he too had been made redundant five years ago, and had bought an Optic-Kleer franchise that had been extremely rewarding.
One thing led to another and within weeks I was sat having an interview in Boston. The interview was both relaxed and informative, highlighting the level of earnings achievable as an Optic-Kleer franchisee.
In what ways is your business flexible? My working days are very flexible and allow me to manage my life on my terms. I like the hands-off approach linked with great support from David, Sarah and all the staff
at head office.
How has investing in a franchise changed your lifestyle?
It is still early days, but I know I am far less stressed than at any time in my working career. This is because I have all the support I need. I also understand that if you provide a professional service with great customer care, it is possible to make a very good living.
Has your work-life balance improved? My work-life balance has improved considerably already and I know I can look forward to the holidays I have always enjoyed, but on a far more regular basis!
Do you have plans to grow the business in the future?
I do plan to expand my business in the future, but, as this is the very early stage of my franchise, my focus is getting all of the basics right, so that all the future opportunities fall into place.
What advice would you give to potential franchisees looking to invest in an Optic-Kleer franchised business?
When buying a franchise, it is very important to look for a company with a proven track record. Optic-Kleer has been in business for 25 years, and with just under 40 operators throughout the UK, I had a plethora of successful franchisees to approach in order to get to a more accurate and balanced view of the business before I bought my own.
September 2016 |
BusinessFranchise.com | 31
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