Franchise Focus Banking on it
Bank manager Damon Dieches on running his Dublcheck franchise business INVESTMENT LEVEL: £14,000-£190,750
Damon Dieches with his wife Benni A
fter a two-year search for the right franchise, and having considered almost 100 options, Damon Dieches finally decided to invest with Dublcheck.
“I always wanted to be a business owner but I wanted a business that was solid and established. I was also looking for a business that I could run whilst still employed as a bank manager. “The reason Dublcheck really appealed to me was that they guarantee your business for the first year. This played a big part in my decision to join – I loved the idea that I didn’t have to go out and get the sales whilst I’m still establishing the business.” This support from Dublcheck in securing contracts means that franchisees are free to look after existing customers instead of worrying about finding new ones. Damon says: “The Dublcheck team absolutely delivered on their promise and right now I’m over the moon.” As with all new Dublcheck franchisees, Damon had a mentor for the first 12 months that he was in business, with whom he says he was in contact on an almost-daily basis whilst getting the business up and running. Dublcheck franchisees are also equipped with the tools and knowledge they need to uphold the values of the Dublcheck brand, which has resulted in a 90 per cent client retention rate. “It’s all about developing a relationship
with clients,” says Damon. This business is about way more than cleaning, it’s about gaining the client’s trust, building a rapport and a long- lasting relationship with them.” Commercial cleaning is one of the
most robust industries to join because the market is more recession-resistant than many others.
“If you are willing to work hard and get your head down for a year or so, you will really start to reap the rewards of your efforts”
Damon has contracts in North West London but also areas such as Mayfair, West Kensington and St Paul’s. “In the City there are so many new offices opening all the time. People don’t clean their own offices and this will always be the case, so there will always be a big demand for our services.
“I have still faced challenges, though, the biggest of which has been getting my head around the HMRC and understanding the financial aspects of the business, but this gets easier as time goes on.”
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Damon believes he has found a balance with his approach to managing. “I don’t just sit back and own the business. I find that the staff have a lot of respect for hands-on management – I literally get my hands dirty!”
Damon says another key factor in the success of his Dublcheck franchise is recruiting a good team of staff. “I have a team of 15-20 cleaners at the moment, and the number-one thing is looking after them, making sure they get paid on time, etc. I took my staff out for a meal together at Christmas – I think it is really important for the team to bond.”
Damon has been in business for two years now, and has big ambitions for 2014. “My goal this year is to expand to £100,000 turnover, my current turnover exceeds £60,000.”
“Once over the initial hurdles, you start to see the fruits of your labour and to reap the rewards of your efforts.” Damon wants prospective franchisees to be inspired by his story. “Running my Dublcheck business is amazing, I really feel a sense of accomplishment!” n
DUBLCHECK
WEBSITE:
www.dublcheck.co.uk EMAIL:
info@dublcheck.co.uk PHONE: 0800 317 236 CLASSIFICATION: Commercial cleaning services
Investment: £10k-£20k
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