First class

After setting up his own manufacturing business, and running it for a number of years, Esquires franchisee Russ Wood decided that he wanted a change in his life and career. 'I wanted a business that I could put my own personality into, without being tied to the day-to-day running. I also wanted to work in an enjoyable environment and, as someone who loves coffee and the social aspects of coffee houses, I decided that this would be the perfect industry to go into.'

After considering a number of options, Russ looked into franchising, despite initial reservations. 'In the past I have avoided the franchise route because I expected it to be rigid and formulaic. However, when I met the UK managing director for Esquires Coffee Houses, Peter Kirton, I felt assured that I had made the right choice.'

'Through the Esquires Coffee Houses model, I could access the expertise, support and knowledge of an established brand as well as put my own personality into the business. Each Esquires store is tailored to the local area, market and franchisee, and that flexibility suited me down to the ground.'

'My wife and I opened our Coffee House in Durham in April 2006 and have enjoyed a growing trade and strong customer loyalty since.'

It has been a rewarding first year for Russ. 'We've really enjoyed it. It's a great environment to work in and I've been particularly impressed with the forward-thinking approach taken by Esquires Coffee Houses - this year we became the first high street coffee franchise to serve only Fairtrade coffee and we have similar plans for products such as tea and hot chocolate.'

'There's no better sight than a busy store. I love going into work, meeting with our regular customers and receiving positive comments about our service and products. It's very satisfying when you know you've created a welcoming environment that you can see people enjoying.'

'We've also built a great team from the local area. Over 60 per cent of our staff have been with us since our first day and it's great to watch them develop.'

'We are due to open a second store in Newcastle and we can't wait to get started. Our wish is to create the same warm environment for drinking coffee which our customers can really enjoy.'

Paul and Angela Hamilton
X-Press Legal Services Ltd

Just about the worst thing that can happen when someone starts a new business is to become seriously incapacitated and be completely unable to work. This is exactly what happened to Paul Hamilton, X-Press Legal Services franchisee, just seven months after he and wife Angela had set up their franchise covering a large area of Wales.

X-Press is a specialist franchise that provides property searches and reports to solicitors and other conveyancers. A large part of this process involves visiting local council offices in many different locations to collect information. The ability to drive between places is crucial, so when Paul was seriously injured in a car crash, it could have been disastrous for the fledgling business.

However, the support provided by the franchisor kept the business buoyant while Paul was in hospital for three weeks, enabling Angela to focus all her attention on him and his recovery. 'The support we had from X-Press was phenomenal,' says Angela. 'Without it I don't know what we would have done. Russell Lister, one of the directors, simply moved in to cover our searches and helped with paperwork until Paul came home again.

'Even then he couldn't drive for another three months, so we reversed roles with him doing the admin and me doing to the searches, still with help from X-Press' head office team. We were also very touched by the countless kind offers of practical help from all the neighbouring franchisees.'

Paul and Angela had made a huge personal commitment, as well as financial investment, when they bought the franchise. Paul had given up a secure job and moved house with Angela and their two children from the North West to a new home in Wales. 'We knew we were doing the right thing when we first considered buying an X-Press franchise and recent events have proved that,' Paul says. 'When I first enquired and discovered that a large territory in North Wales was available, I was delighted. My family all love that part of the country and we would have moved there years before but employment - or lack of it - had always made it impossible to realise the dream.

'Here was a golden opportunity to start my own business and move to a lovely area. Within months my life and my family's life had changed and all for the better - at least we thought so until the accident happened. But even then, we realised how fortunate we are to be part of a caring network, almost like being part of a big family, so that when things go wrong unavoidably, there are people around to help. It's a great comfort and definitely beats starting up a business on your own, with all the uncertainties of being a sole trader.'

Now on the road to recovery, Paul is looking forward to growing the franchise: 'We are concentrating on creating a business that is renowned for quality and personal service. I want to be able to secure a real future for my family and to have a good quality of life too.'

Chris Knight
Blazes

In late 2005, after working in the construction industry as a surveyor, Chris Knight decided that he wanted a change of scenery and looked around at other options. 'I knew I wanted to start up a franchise however I didn't know what was available so I started shopping around.'

'After looking at different franchise options I noticed that Blazes offer much more to their franchisees in terms of training than many of their rivals. Most other franchisors offer a formula in which to follow and then leave you to it but Blazes took me through every step in a training programme which gave me the confidence to start up the franchise on my own.'

'On May 13 2006, five months after my initial decision for a career change, I opened Blazes Bagshot and haven't looked back since.'

Chris says that the training at Blazes is brilliant. 'Initially, we had training in different aspects of the business, such as accounting and general product and systems information. This took place at Blazes head office and in Blazes showrooms. I also had somebody with me in store for the first four weeks of trading to assist and train me on the job.'

'Blazes know that training is essential to ensure a successful franchisee and since I opened my franchise 18 months ago, I am still offered help and support as I need it.'

Chris has enjoyed his first year as a franchisee. 'I loved it. And I like the fact that Blazes have noticed that the fireplace is no longer just a winter purchase used for heating a room. They realise that it's an essential part of a home's look, style and overall interior design.

'I aim to become bigger and better as time goes on and hope that customer recommendations to friends add to the success of the business.'

Justin Tidmarsh
FastSigns

Tired of humdrum corporate life, FASTSIGNS' Coventry franchisee Justin Tidmarsh and his family looked into buying a franchise about four years ago. 'We visited a franchise show and looked at many different options. These varied quite significantly, but we managed to shortlist two, including FASTSIGNS.'

To make a decision, Justin's family researched both options, and about three years ago, they examined FASTSIGNS further with a serious view to buying one of their franchises. 'I visited many FASTSIGNS centres and gained a broad spectrum of views,' remembers Justin. 'I met with Garth Allison, managing director of UK operations, several times and, after much thought, we signed the FASTSIGNS franchise agreement. That was just under two years ago. We then spent approximately six months searching for premises to trade from. We eventually took a property in July 2006, and opened for trade in October 2006.'

One of the things that Justin found valuable was the training. 'For a new business with no prior experience of the industry, the training was excellent. We went from knowing nothing about the sign business to being able to operate a store inside three weeks. Don't get me wrong, we are still learning and it is a very steep learning curve, but the training to get us going was very good. The ongoing support has also been good, both from existing franchisees and the franchisor. FASTSIGNS' head office is in Dallas and there is a time difference in speaking to technical support, but over time you adapt to that.'

Because Justin's previous job had been as a business advisor in the retail fuels and motor industry, he had been involved in advising franchisees on agreements. 'As a result I had franchise experience from that perspective.' The beginning of the franchise for Justin wasn't daunting, although beginning a new business was. 'At the end of the day we are investing a huge amount of money in a venture that really is the future of our family. We have tried to do everything to ensure success, but nothing is guaranteed. People tell you that starting you own business is hard work, but you don't realise how hard until you do it yourself - corporate life really was quite easy!'

With hard work and long hours, Justin's first year has, nevertheless, been rewarding. 'In the signs and graphics industry you really can see the fruits of your labours; I drive around Coventry and see the many projects that my FASTSIGNS centre has completed. I really do have a sense of accomplishment. We have established some very good returning customers, and you know you are doing something right when customers keep coming back to you!'

Justin's future includes growth, profit and positive cash flow. 'We have got through the first year and broadly speaking the business has performed as FASTSIGNS the franchisor suggested it would. We now need to keep this going and earn a successful living out of the business.'

Jonny Masters
Recognition Express

Prior to becoming a franchisee, Jonny Masters had previously worked for Recognition Express in January 1999. 'I started as a production operative, then a technician, and after a few years I was put in charge of Research and Development,' says Jonny. 'I also trained as a mechanical engineer and, soon after, was made production manager.'

'Along with franchise support roles and becoming an active member of the management team, I was running out of things to do. As a result, and knowing the franchise and franchisor very well, Alex Newman (my business partner at the time) and I opened Recognition Express Coventry in March 2005. However, after nearly two years in business together, I decided to go it alone and separated from Coventry in January 2007 to open Recognition Express Leicester West.'

For the training, Jonny found that what Recognition Express provided is excellent. 'Franchisees are given a really in-depth manual to assist with any of the production processes, something I was involved with creating many years ago. There have been several new versions since but it maintains the understanding and technical detail that it had when it was first created.'

'There is always someone at HQ who can help on the phone or via email, which is priceless. Support is available on a huge range of issues including marketing campaign advice and assistance; accounts or Sage issues; a line dedicated to source obscure products; online catalogue and our own glossy printed one; client order login in on our website; and lists of recommended suppliers and new products that have been released. All of these things put together helps to give me the edge in a marketplace which is probably one of the most competitive in the world.'

Although Jonny already had experience, he could have finished work at Recognition Express and started any kind of business. 'The reason I decided to open my own franchise was because I wanted to use the success of Recognition Express, to raise capital for the ideas I have for the future. When Nigel Toplis, managing director, joined and we started really building on the existing solid foundations, I knew that buying into a growing brand was the right thing to do.

For Jonny, the first year has been hard but fulfilling. 'There has been so much to do,' he says. 'But meeting my 12-month target after just 10 months has also been extremely rewarding. I think the hardest thing is knowing who and what you should be looking for. A company from the outside may look like the best possible opportunity, until you have spoken to an informed person about the way the company is structured and run, and you find it is really just a big building, a fancy website or someone who spent lots on advertising. Once you know who, when, where and what, you know what opportunities are on offer for you.'

Jonny has developed a five-year plan for Recognition Express Leicester West that should see a sustained and increased growth in the business. 'I am still quite young and have a number of ideas that I hope to put into practice over the next few years. I also have a lot of experience of being involved with a franchisor and so maybe, one day, I will migrate to a warmer climate to hold my own master franchise!'

Mark Stabler
Computer Xplorers

ComputerXplorers franchisee Mark Stabler began looking at franchises in September 2006. 'I was keen to do something that was more than just another job. I took part in some career coaching sessions to try and ensure my next move would be the right one for me, and those sessions clarified my desire to be able to control my own destiny. Something where I felt my efforts would enable me to directly reap rewards, and I would be less reliant on other people.'

'Having come to this conclusion, I did research on the internet about franchising and attended the NEC National Franchise Exhibition in October 2006. I went there with a shortlist of potentially interesting franchises that I had already researched. These were all management franchises and my aim was to gather information and to see what sort of opportunities there were.'

Mark initially came across ComputerXplorers on the internet and, after discussing the idea with his family, he realised that it was a good proposition. 'There was a lot of government interest in providing extended school activities and schools were under pressure to be open from 8am to 6pm. They therefore needed a way to manage this, and with staff having already worked a full day, the opportunity to provide some ICT activity in a fun way after school seemed to me to be a winner. A lot of money had been invested in IT infrastructures in schools and this equipment was not being fully utilised, and that was the unique selling proposition of ComputerXplorers.'

In order to build a long-term business, Mark says that growth needs to be in a controlled manner. 'I think year one is about getting established in the area, beginning to get the name known in the appropriate circles. Year one also allows you to bed in your processes and methods of working and this gives you a good foundation for growth in year two.'

'All the children have enjoyed the variety in the lessons that we deliver. I like to compare them to classes at school, in that school is Education with a capital E and fun with a small f. At the ComputerXplorers classes, it is education with a small e and fun with a capital F.'

For the future, Mark is looking to grow the business in a steady way by developing long-term relationships with the schools. 'The franchise is new and needs to develop, and it can only do that with input from current and new franchisees as they explore the market in their locality. The continued expansion of this new franchise is important to me at the local level as it promotes the brand and gives access to more fellow franchisees to share experiences and ideas with.'

'It is good to be in at the start of something like this. Whilst the risk may be slightly higher, you are in a great position to influence the development of the franchise. I feel I have made the right decision for me and am really enjoying the freedom that running my own business affords me.'

Phil and Chris Days
Moving Works

Father and son team Phil and Chris Days are living proof that family franchises are very successful. Phil comments: 'Father and son partnerships are either excellent or rubbish. Fortunately for us, ours is excellent.'

They set up their first franchised office of property marketing franchise, Moving Works, in autumn 2006 and within the first year had opened another two outlets. As they approach their 18 months' trading milestone, they are about to add another office to their portfolio. The three existing offices owned by Phil and Chris are all trading well and they will soon open another in the area.

Phil had always worked in financial services. A qualified independent financial advisor and a mortgage broker with many years' experience, he wanted to expand his business interests at a time when son Chris was about to start working for a local firm of estate agents.

'Chris had studied business, and I knew he was very talented and able, so I offered him a job working with me,' Phil explains. 'I showed him the ropes and we worked well together. After about three years we began to think seriously about going into property as well.

'I recognised that the quickest way to get credibility and for any business to grow is to have a well-known brand name. Moving Works is very well known in the North West for its quality service and value for money so it was the obvious property franchise choice.

'The attraction of franchising and its many benefits encouraged us to research the concept thoroughly. We confirmed our view that, as well as the security of a good, recognisable and established brand, franchising offers a proven concept and plenty of training and support.'