Show Guide
Follow in their footsteps...
Returning home to an exciting new business venture
R
Aſter five years working in Dubai for a marketing incentives company, Ross Gamble decided it was time to return to the UK. He had always harboured the ambition to be his own boss, so started researching his options.
oss comments: “I was ready to work for myself, but I just didn’t have that ‘bright spark’ idea to start a business from scratch so I began looking into franchising.” After some initial online research, Ross narrowed it down to a handful of brands with territories available in Scotland and set up meetings with the franchisors.
He says: “I like to get stuck into a new challenge, so the Dream Doors concept appealed to me right from the get go. The more I found out about the brand during conversations with the head office team and other franchisees, the more confident I felt that it would be a good fit for me.”
Ross started trading from his West Edinburgh kitchen showroom in early 2017 and the business has gone from strength to strength
ever since. He comments: “The learning curve has been steep as I’ve made the transition from being employed to a business owner, but the Dream Doors team have been there to support me every step of the way.
“As a franchisee, you may need to use new skills, but the training the business offers ensures you have the tools you need. That, combined with the tried-and-tested business model and being able to draw upon the experiences of the whole network, has made the whole process so much easier than it would have been if I’d gone it alone. “I’m really looking forward to my business becoming more established and exploring new growth opportunities – exciting things ahead!”
Proving inspiration can strike when you least expect it
Retired goalkeeper Neil Inglis first came across franchising in his role as education and training manager for the Professional Footballers’ Association Scotland (PFA). Little did he know his research would lead to him investing in a WPA Healthcare Practice franchise himself.
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asked with empowering the association’s 1,000-strong membership to prepare for their
future after football, Neil was constantly on the search for new opportunities. One former player was now a WPA Healthcare Practice franchisee, so Neil set up a meeting to find out more about the opportunities the franchise industry could offer. Neil comments: “As I was going through the due diligence process on behalf of some of the players and looking into the finer details of the WPA Healthcare Practice franchise model, I started to think that it could be a good opportunity for me, too.” Finding himself at a crossroads, with his contract at the PFA drawing to a close, Neil decided the time was right for him to invest in the Glasgow territory in November 2005. He says: “When starting any business, building good relationships with clients and suppliers is incredibly important. One of the key benefits of investing in a franchise is that when you approach new contacts with the brand behind you, there is already a level of trust.
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BusinessFranchise.com | May 2018
In the healthcare business in particular, this is invaluable.
“Over the past 12 years, with the ongoing support of both head office and the wider franchise network, I’ve built my business up from a blank slate to over 1,000 clients, with a 90 per cent retention rate.”
Neil now utilises his extensive experience
to provide support to new and existing franchisees within the network. He says: “The brand is always looking for ways to develop – whether that be fine-tuning processes and systems, or adopting new support mechanisms to empower their franchisees to grow – making it really exciting to be part of.”
Neil advises prospective franchisees: “Do your research. Make
sure when you are considering a franchise opportunity that it is something you are prepared to go into wholeheartedly. There are so many opportunities out there and the blueprint a franchise provides can increase your chance of success. However, in order to really excel, a passion for the business is essential.”
TICKET LINE 020 8394 5294 WEBSITE
ScottishFranchise.co.uk
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