Brothers Aneel and Shahzad Memon opened the doors of their PACK & SEND service centre to local consumers and business clients in Hall Green on 8 January. The pair came over to the UK from Dubai to provide security and opportunity for their families. As they prepare to take on the weird and wonderful packaging requests of their customers, they reflect on their journey to business ownership.
Aneel says: “With our young families, it was crucial to find something that would provide for us all. My wife, Rani, was included in the decision making too. We knew the opportunity to create a successful business would be much better in the UK and, as neither of us has been in business before, we knew it was crucial to get that extra support when setting up. Franchising provided the solution, so we both conducted our own research into the brands we liked the most.”
Shahzad adds: “We searched through many listings and both came across PACK & SEND. After visiting the website and watching a number of franchisee testimonial videos, we were confident in making our investment. It was clear the existing franchisees in the network love what they do, receive immense satisfaction and are always available to offer help to newcomers.”
PACK & SEND launched in the UK in January 2009 following the brand’s 20 years of success in Australia. It gave the British public the opportunity to send any package anywhere in the world, even those fragile and awkward items that cause most concern. By offering bespoke packaging and shipping solutions, franchisees can build profitable and rewarding businesses.
Aneel and Shahzad visited the head office in Reading to undergo their training. Not only did they benefit from hearing about the support and expertise available to them, they also got to experience the real-life enquiries by being front of house in the service centre.
“Right from the first day, we answered questions and dealt with customers,” says Aneel. “It was a great learning curve to handle actual scenarios, instead of ones that are just created for training purposes. In January, we’ve got the comfort of having a member of head office in our service centre for the whole of the first month of our business, helping us to deliver a no-limits customer service right from day one.”
In addition to the first month’s support, the pair have received two guarantees that will get their first year off to a flying start. To help generate enquiries and raise the business profile, they will receive a number of sales leads from head office while they match-fund the franchisees’ marketing spend. Aneel is ready to use these guarantees as a springboard for the future.
“They were a distinct part of our decision-making process. We plan to maximise the value of these guaranteed new business leads and we have big plans in the long term for PACK & SEND Hall Green. This business is the future for our families and we’re pleased to join a franchise that already feels like a family.”
