Smile please

With rising inflation, falling property prices and the media's obsession with the credit crunch, you could be forgiven for thinking there was not much to smile about right now. But you'd be wrong. There is a franchise that has been created with the aim of guaranteeing a good profit through the power of a smile.

The Wowsmile Company is offering the opportunity to capitalise on the growing demand for teeth whitening. Having started life in the US, the company is now looking to grow in the UK. Based in Devon, Wowsmile offers customers a painless and fuss-free treatment that will leave them feeling more confident about themselves.

Richard Smart of Wowsmile UK says that the process is hugely popular in the US. "I spent some time in Florida and over there, teeth-whitening is a multi-million dollar business. It's one of the most requested treatments."

Wowsmile's franchise is timely, given the boom in cosmetic teeth whitening (performed outside the dental office), which has rapidly emerged in the last three years. The company uses a special gel that has been produced to provide quick teeth whitening without the discomfort of peroxide-based gels. Wowsmile also uses a new LED lamp, which speeds up the treatment process. All of the company's products meet UK and EU distribution requirements.

Wowsmile is now keen to grow a franchise network in the UK. "We are looking to recruit entrepreneurs, business people or owner operators," says Mr Smart. "The entrepreneurs can employ two or three mobile therapists who will go to health salons, beauty spas and hairdressers to provide their services.

"Owner operators can be, for example, housewives or young couples who are starting out in business for the first time. Our company is now within the reach of more people as a result of franchising."

All new staff members will receive training at the company's headquarters, where they will learn how to use the relevant equipment and gels and also all working procedures. The tutors are all professionals with relevant degrees in health and dental care. Aftercare service is also provided for workers, who will be given help with marketing their business and promotion.

The maximum outlay for a Wowsmile franchise is £3,000, which covers both the training and the start-up package. Franchisees can recoup the full investment, however. The cost has been deliberately kept to a minimum, says Mr Smart, in order to bring in more potential investors. "It's a very good turnkey operation," he says. "Our brief is to keep interested parties' initial outlays as low as possible. Silly money scares people away. We try to be as flexible as possible with people's different financial solutions."

Summing up the appeal, he adds: "We offer a new, exciting product that hasn't been hit by the recession." It's enough to bring a gleaming smile to anyone.

Investment level: £3,000
Email: info@wowsmile.biz
Web: www.wowsmile.biz (check out a Wowsmile video on Youtube by typing in "Wowsmile Xpress")
Phone: 01803 842525
Franchise classification: Dental care, health and beauty