FRANCHISEFOCUS INVESTMENT: FROM £ 9,9 5 0 Cleaning up Simon Labone talks about his success as a Dublcheck franchisee I
n 2006, Liverpool-based Simon Labone joined Dublcheck, a leading contract cleaning management
franchise, leaving behind a full-time employed sales background. He has not looked back since! Simon's dynamic and enthusiastic approach to running his franchise has seen his turnover grow from £50,000 per year to £940,000.
What prompted you to look into running a franchise? I was desperate to be my own boss and be in control of my own future.
"I am in control of my working week and can be flexible if needed"
How did you find out about Dublcheck? I discovered Dublcheck at a franchise exhibition, and then a meeting with [Dublcheck founder] Carol at head office led to me coming on board.
What was the process like? It was very quick – about three to four months in total.
What training did you undergo prior to launch? One week’s training at head office then a mentor for the first year.
What support do you receive? I receive daily support, from legal to invoicing and operations. Head office are always happy to help.
How was trading in the beginning? It went really well. We had our first contract very quickly, and by the end of the year we had more than our initial obligation.
160 p Simon Labone
Do you feel that being part of a franchise and a member of a network brings greater benefits than a startup? Absolutely, it gives you a real structure with loads of backup. It means you can concentrate on just getting going; knowing you have a sales team working for you is a real benefit.
What does a typical day in your Dublcheck business involve? It’s very diverse and can involve a number of activities. This is a management franchise, so usually, I check in with my area manager in the morning and then deal with customer queries and emails. After that, I get out to see customers and may quote for new business if there have been enquiries. I may also oversee any interviews or deal with any administration, such as payroll or ordering supplies.
What’s been the standout moment in your franchising journey so far? There have been many but I think being named Franchise of the Year was a great achievement. This was down to a lot of hard work over a number of years from my team.
How has your life changed since becoming a franchisee? I am in control of my working week and can be flexible if needed. The business has performed financially, and if you put in the hard work, the rewards are there. It’s great to have happy customers and this gives me fulfilment... plus I have a great team around me
What are your future plans? To keep working hard and growing the business. I'm confident because this is a recession-proof sector – offices always need cleaning!
What values and qualities do you think it takes to be a franchisee? I think determination and a willingness to take ownership of the process. Dublcheck will provide you with all the support, but ultimately you must commit to the opportunity and give it 100 per cent.
Would you recommend franchising – and running a Dublcheck franchise in particular – to others? Yes, I would recommend franchising and I am pleased I went with Dublcheck. It has worked for me and I believe the support and backup of Dublcheck coupled with the commercial cleaning market is a winner! l
DublcHeck contract cleaning 01244 651 100
dublcheck.co.uk info@dublcheck.co.uk
Investment level: Under £10k
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