A Q&A session with ChipsAway
Published: 23 February 2018
Having faced redundancy twice in three years after a seasoned career as a sales and marketing director, in 2011 Andy Cornell decided that he wanted a complete change of direction. Six years down the line, Andy has been crowned Business Mentor of the Year and Franchisee of the Year for the third time at ChipsAway’s annual conference.
What drew you to franchising and what appealed to you about ChipsAway in particular?
Having looked at a number of franchises, ChipsAway appealed to me for various reasons. First of all, I had an interest in cars. Second, they have was the backup of a well-known and respected brand – ChipsAway stood out in terms of reputation and marketing. Once I attended an open day and spoke to existing franchisees, I was sold!
If you are prepared to put the effort in, the earning potential is very good, even as a one-man, one-van operation. Plus, you have a steady flow of leads and customers from day one. If you decide to expand and open a Car Care Centre, you can make a very healthy income and build a business with proven value as and when you decide to sell it on.
What training did you receive before you launched your business?
The initial four-week product training was superb. The initial course was then followed up three months later by a further week of more in-depth dent repair techniques, which then allowed me to then tackle bigger projects for customers.
What support is available on an ongoing basis from your franchisor?
There is ongoing training available whenever you need it, and ChipsAway offers other complimentary courses like social media marketing, vehicle lease hand back assessment and training in new products and services – all this allows you to add new services and revenue streams to your business. If you ever have any issues with the business, there are people able and willing to offer specialist advice.
Has your franchise lived up to expectations?
I was initially concerned about how quickly I’d generate a reasonable income, but the business was profitable straightaway! With ChipsAway there is the potential to start earning from day one.
How has life changed since you started your business?
Running my own business is liberating – no one can make me redundant or have an effect on my life apart from me. Every decision I make is for the good of my business and my family.
