The National Franchise Exhibition
3 & 4 October 2008, NEC, Birmingham

Exhibition case studies

 

A visit to The National Franchise Exhibition provides you with the ideal opportunity to not only research potential franchise opportunities, but to meet those who own and run the franchises themselves, and find out the realities of becoming a franchisee.

 

Below are just some of the success stories from those who visited the exhibition in 2007 and become franchisees for Mail Boxes Etc, Shoes Galore, Lasertech, Fastway Couriers and Prontaprint. Or click here for more case studies.

 

Click here to book tickets for the 2008 event.

 

Mail Boxes Etc - visitor case study

Delivering the perfect business package – Mail Boxes Etc

Frank Bigley made a big life changing decision when he decided to make a clean break from his current career as an IT project manager for a major retail chain and move house from London to Yorkshire to start his own business.

He first met Mail Boxes Etc (MBE), the one stop business centre that provides a wide range of business services to local companies and consumers, at The National Franchise Exhibition.

Frank recalls: “Having done a bit of research around the franchising concept I decided the best avenue would be for me to attend one of the regular franchise exhibitions. Attending The National Franchise Exhibition I was immediately drawn to the Mail Boxes Etc stand which seemed to be very busy with plenty of interested people. I had a brief chat with one of the franchise directors to get some more details and then followed it up afterwards.”

A few months later Frank set up as MBE’s Sheffield franchisee.

Now, after celebrating the third anniversary of opening his centre, Frank believes that joining MBE was one of the best things he’s ever done.

He explains: “We are in an excellent central location and ideally situated to meet a wide range of local needs. The centre is close to the large international teaching hospitals, situated between the two universities and virtually around the corner from the Home Office, which has become a regular customer for documents that need to be collected and sent securely overseas. We are busy right across the board for all our wide range of services, from antiques packing and shipping and printing services to shipping for students,” Frank says.

Frank’s wife Julia, a radiographer at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust is also involved in the business, handling some of the admin and collecting items for packing and despatch from auction houses. She also regularly helps out in the centre, especially at peak times.

Frank commented: “The centre is doing really well and we are very busy. I certainly wouldn’t want to be become an employee again. It took me 20 years to realise that I don’t like working for other people and I’m much happier being independent. I joke that I don’t report to anyone any more except the wife, the bank manager and the landlord!”

To book tickets for The National Franchise Exhibition 2008 click here.

 

Shoes Galore - visitor case study

 

Helping shoe horn your career – Shoes Galore


Jayne Watson from Nottingham first encountered Shoes Galore when she attended The National Franchise Exhibition in October last year.


Jayne commented: “I had a fairly simple criteria for the type of franchise that I was looking for. It had to be an investment of no more than £10K, something that I could do on my own initially, but had the potential for me to expand as and when I was ready. It had to be a business that I could fit around my young family so I could work without the need to find additional childcare and, finally, something that I’d enjoy, whilst at the same time allowing me to become a business woman.


Shoes Galore fitted the bill in everyway - shoes, bags and belts – literally every woman’s dream!”


Jayne continued: “The Shoes Galore stand at the exhibition grabbed my attention immediately. I loved the idea, the concept and, very importantly, the products. At the exhibition I spoke with the Shoes Galore girls, who gave me a brief yet very informative overview of the business. I was very keen to find out more and, as soon as my information pack arrived, about how the franchise works, as well as an idea of the earning potential. I phoned and made an appointment to visit Shoes Galore head office.”


As a result Jayne launched Shoes Galore Nottingham in February this year.


“Working in the evenings was something that I had never considered, but actually, I’m finding myself joining in with ‘social’ events, rather than doing what feels like working.


Across the range, the shoes, styles, variety of colours, prices and quality are all perfect. I honestly feel that I am selling wonderful quality, beautiful shoes at very competitive prices. I am proud of my display of exclusive shoes, bags and belts when I unveil it - and the noises around the room say it all!


“I would recommend anyone who is looking to buy a franchise to attend a franchise exhibition such as The National Franchise Exhibition, as it’s really worth it. I found Shoes Galore, have been operating my mobile shoe company for nearly 7 months now, and am loving every minute of it!”

The National Franchise Exhibition 2008 takes place 3 & 4 October at the NEC. Click here to book tickets.

 

Lasertech - case study

 

The one stop shop for all your printer supplies - Lasertech

Mark Wallington visited The National Franchise Exhibition in Birmingham, in October 2006 looking for a franchise opportunity. Initially it was the exhibition stand that attracted Mark to find out more about Lasertech.

Mark explains: “The stand was really bright, colourful and well presented. It really caught my eye through the crowds of people”

“On the stand I met the key members of the Lasertech franchise team. They explained all about the Lasertech franchise opportunity and, from this first meeting, I knew this was the right business for me. Printer cartridges and office products are a necessity product that every office uses and, with Lasertech manufacturing the Lasertech brand cartridges, I could supply my potential customers at a cost saving of up to 40 percent.”

Mark was delighted to hear that the territory he lived in was up for resale, which meant he would have an existing customer base from day one, rather than starting from scratch!

Following a number of meetings with Lasertech UK in Warrington, Cheshire, as well as meeting a number of current franchisees, Mark put in an offer for Lasertech Wigan and Bolton which, to his delight, was accepted.

After completing this training in May 2007, Mark took over Lasertech Wigan and Bolton and after a year trading Mark is now excited about introducing Lasertech’s Print Management product to win larger customers in his territory.

To book tickets for the 2008 exhibition click here.

 

Fastway - visitor case study

 

Franchising the Fastway – Fastway Couriers


What do two friends with over 20 years business experience, one managing oil rigs in South America and the other in production and logistics in the automotive industry, do when they decide they want to try something new and work for themselves?


Phil White and Steve Wilson knew they had the business skills but did not want the risks of starting up an untried business from scratch. They took the decision to visit The National Franchise Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC to find out more about the whole franchising concept.


Steve Wilson explained: “The National Franchise Exhibition presented us with a huge variety of business opportunities for us to consider and certainly gave us something to think about.”


He continued: “Franchising allows you to follow a business model that is tried and tested. You follow the system and benefit from the training, support and brand identity that removes many of the risks that lead to new businesses failing.”

Following the exhibition Phil and Steve purchased a Fastway Couriers franchise, a management franchise for business people that operates a low cost same day/next day parcel services. They are now running a regional depot covering the Hereford and Worcester region from which they recruit, train and mentor their own courier franchisees who collect and deliver parcels within their own exclusive territories.

Phil commented: “Fastway have been around since 1983, so even though the UK business is relatively new the system is well established and any situation we are likely to face has already been seen and dealt with by someone else!

We saw the enormous potential of the service and liked the franchise system that utilised our skills and experience.”

“Do we regret the decision to buy a franchise? No way! It is hard work, but the harder you work the greater your reward. We are now looking to expand the business further and recommend the franchising route to anyone else looking to set up their own business.”

 

Prontaprint - visitor case study

 

On demand print and design – Prontaprint

On-demand print and design specialist Prontaprint is exhibiting at The National Franchise Exhibition this year, offering business entrepreneurs the opportunity to start up their own company with the stability of investing and trading under a nationally recognised brand.

After 15 years working within the IT industry Aarif Merali took the decision to become his own boss and visited The National Franchise Exhibition to explore his options and receive help and advice.

“I went to the exhibition with an open mind to find out more about both food and non-food franchises and was impressed with the information on offer. With a strong background in software I was ultimately drawn towards the on-demand print industry.

“I was attracted by the progressive nature of the Prontaprint business and the support and training prospects available from the wider network of more than 150 centres.

“With support from the Prontaprint team I was able to make an informed investment and took over the centre in Watford. Since then I have installed state of the art digital equipment and the company has invested over £3million into repositioning the brand, enabling me to attract blue chip clients such as Camelot and John Lewis.

“With Prontaprint I can work to a proven business formula, whilst still making my own business decisions. The National Franchise Exhibition was invaluable in setting me on the right track to go it alone!”

Belvoir Lettings - vissitpr case study

Providing the bricks and mortar for a successful franchise business

It was a visit to The National Franchise Exhibition at Birmingham’s NEC that finally helped Major Mahil change direction and become his own boss for the first time.

After a long career in the legal profession Major Mahil decided to set up his own business - and he knew that taking on a franchise would give him the support and back-up that he needed.

“I’d been a solicitor for about five years but felt ready for a change of direction,” says Major. “I decided to go into the property lettings business as I was already a landlord so had some experience of the industry, plus I knew Birmingham city centre would benefit from a property management agency which offered reliability and a professional service.

“A franchise seemed the perfect solution. Birmingham has a thriving property lettings market and taking on a franchise meant I could bring a well-known brand into the mix.

“I’d already spoken to a sales representative from Belvoir Lettings but visiting The National Franchise Exhibition gave me the chance to speak to one of the directors in person, as well as research other franchise opportunities available.

“There were hundreds of stands and lots of information to absorb - I was there for about two and a half hours before making my final decision.

“The Belvoir Lettings stand really stood out. After the exhibition I got the ball rolling very quickly - by December I’d signed the contract.

“I opened the doors of Belvoir Lettings Birmingham Central last year and the business has gone from strength-to-strength ever since.”

While the credit crunch has hit the property sales market hard, the lettings and management sector is actually benefiting from it and is seeing a growth period as many people choose to rent rather than buy in the current climate. This is creating more opportunities for entrepreneurs to make money out of the lettings agency market. Leading buy-to-let property investment expert Darren Winters of wininvesting.com recently commented “Now is a great time to let property as rents are not coming down and there is no shortage of tenants.”

Many people like Major Mahil are recognising this trend and are taking advantage by investing in similar property management and lettings franchises. There are many more opportunities available all around the country.

The ideal chance to research and learn about the various franchise options available in this sector under one roof will be at The National Franchise Exhibition, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 3 & 4 October.

Visitors interested in the property management, lettings agency and building sector will find a comprehensive range of different business opportunities in this area at The National Franchise Exhibition, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC on 3 & 4 October. Companies exhibiting include Belvoir Property Management, Bespoke Garage Conversion, The Flat Roof Company, Castle Estates, Myhome, Platinum Property Partners, Homezone and Building Supplies R Us.

The National Franchise Exhibition, incorporating the Growing Your Own Business Exhibition & Conference, is open from 10am each day, closing at 5pm on Friday 3 October and 4pm on Saturday 4 October.