138 139 WIF DSAR 2/3/07 9:33 am Page 2
‘I took a massive risk by giving up my job and company car but I was
extremely proud when I finally got the funding and bought the business.’
access to a greater proportion of the bought the business there were people franchisees in the UK. We have four
market and gives customers an who had been working in it for 12-13 already, three waiting for vehicles and
individual service that is customised years and they didn’t have a vision of the another four in the pipeline. We have a
with high quality, competitive garments. future of the business or of their own rigorous selection process and are
involvement within it. It’s great to have looking for good people to service
Q. How have you balanced your watched those people change, become territories to the standards set by us.
work with being a mum? happier and take more ownership of their It’s not about taking fees but about
A. Being a single mum has been very roles. They take pride in getting the job getting the right people with the right
difficult, as I work full-time and my son right first time, and communication has knowledge of football in their
is at school full-time. He’s spent many improved significantly. community. We want to franchise the
evenings and weekends at work with whole of the UK and also develop the
me. It is a struggle and he does miss out Q. What has been your mail order side of the business. We
on time with me, but I believe that I am greatest achievement? want to recruit 20 franchisees by the
a better mum for doing this and we A. Raising the finance. The business end of the year then grow the business
enjoy a better relationship. burned down just two weeks before I by 10 franchisees per annum.
It is also educational for him to be was due to sign on the dotted line. The When we reach 20 or 30 and have a
mixing in a commercial environment, entire business was lost including stock, thoroughly proven concept we would
and it makes the time that we do spend the warehouse, accounts - everything. I like to do the same thing in other
together very special. was given six months by the investors to European countries. We’re very
gather the insurance proceeds and re- confident about what we’re offering.
Q. What have been the high instate the business before they would Our quality garments give us an edge
and low points? re-consider funding. It took a huge over the competition. Many of our kits
A. The financial implications of buying amount of time and commitment from are modelled on European styles and
a new business and being in debt is a me, the previous owners, and the staff to we believe that we are ahead of the
low. I’m constantly reporting to banks stabilise the business. I took a massive game in kit fashion.
and financial institutions and have re- risk by giving up my job but I was
mortgaged my house. Taking financial extremely proud when I finally got the
For further information on Football
and personal risks definitely leads to funding and bought the business.
Kitz ‘n’ Pieces call 0161 926 9882
sleepless nights.
To read more interviews with women
The highs however are that the Q. What are your plans for
in franchising visit:
longer I’m in this business the greater the growth of the business?
www.thefranchisemagazine.net
my belief in its potential. When I A. We’re aiming to recruit 100
© 2007 The Franchise Magazine 139
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