FRANCHISEFOCUS IN V ESTMENT: FROM £4 4,900 Perfect balance Get the best of both worlds with ERA S
ince launching his Expense Reduction Analysts (ERA) franchise last year, 49-year-old David Ramm
has already achieved one of his first lifestyle goals: Christmas at home with his family. In fact, 2018 marked David’s first full seasonal break in over 27 years. A self-proclaimed ‘people person’, he’s now making the most of his flair for networking and has a diary packed with meetings. David is looking forward to a rewarding
new chapter in his life. “I’m excited for what the future holds. Being in control of your destiny is very empowering. One of the big motivators for me was always a better work- life balance, so to be able to have Christmas at home with my wife and children was a joy. My process-driven mentality is well suited to the franchise; I’ve made the effort to hit the ground running and it’s paying off. My business plan shows three clients in year one – I’m going for five!” Despite a very successful, decades-long
career within retail, David always harboured the desire to be his own boss but never considered himself the type to go it alone. In June 2015, David accompanied a friend to The British Franchise Exhibition. “We went to the franchise event just to see what sort of opportunities were out there. I’d looked through the show guide in advance and made a list of brands that I wanted to see. I discounted several very quickly, but everything about ERA screamed quality and professionalism: the stand, the imagery, the marketing material, not to mention the people themselves. I spoke to Matt O’Neil and his team for quite some time and I never once felt like I was being sold to. “I’d always wanted to be my own boss but I’m not someone who could set up a business from scratch, so a franchise suited me down to the ground. I knew that with the training, support and the network, I could make a success of it.” In the meantime, David’s lack of work-life
balance became increasingly difficult to bear. In the summer of 2018, he read about ERA UK’s buyout by its European division
p David Ramm
and decided it was make-or-break time! “The long hours, lack of flexibility and the stress of my old role left me constantly questioning my future. I reached a point where for my own sake, and my family’s, I needed to make a change. It took a long time to make the leap and join ERA, but they never pressured me. Matt said to me, time and again, ‘of course we would like you to join us, but only when it’s right for you’.”
"I'm excited for what the future holds. Being in control of your destiny is very empowering!"
After signing up, David embarked on
ERA’s foundational training and start- up programme. The tailored, three-step course provides new franchisees with the information and skills necessary to make a success of their new business. This is followed by an 18-month business start-up programme, which provides the ongoing support and motivation to succeed. David
CONTACT
Expense Reduction Analysts Management consulting 07753 966 651
erafranchise.co.uk moneil@expensereduction.com
BUSINESSFRANCHISE.COM 89
says: “For me, the most valuable part of the support system is the Mentor Programme. My mentor, Alistair, as an experienced franchise partner, has insights that are priceless. He’s helped me to hone my skills and gain confidence in client meetings, as well as being a good sounding board.” Although he’s undoubtedly busy, David
is careful to maintain a balanced lifestyle. His new business allows him the freedom and flexibility to spend time with his wife and teenage children, while still having time to watch football, go walking and be more involved with his local church. David concludes: “I felt that ERA would be a recession-proof business that would be as rewarding for me personally as it would be professionally. So far, I was right!” l
Investment level: £20k-£50k
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