Just Shutters

Welcome,

I am the proud founder of the Just Shutters Franchise. Just Shutters specialise solely in supplying homes and businesses with the World’s finest plantation shutters. Our success is a direct result of our incredibly detailed marketing and operational business systems, which ensure our customers receive a consistent and highly professional service.

We are proud to be independent, with the ethos and values of a family run business. Our franchise opportunity is a direct replica of our successful retail template business in Bournemouth, which has been proven by our franchisees to operate successfully in other regions across the UK. We are also proud to be endorsed by the BFA (British Franchise Association). I note that we are not looking for mobile sales people. Our franchisees are like-minded commercially aware people working to follow our proven and successful systems in their local Just Shutters business to maximise their chances of success.

If you are passionate, motivated, have good DIY skills and are great with people, the rest really is simple!


I look forward to hearing from you.

Chris Rocker

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Testimonial

“I am striving to make Just Shutters the largest specialist provider of Plantation Shutters in the UK. Yes the business is a way of making money, but it is really important to Helen and myself that people love the Just Shutters brand.” 

Please give us a brief to you and your business…
My name is Chris Rocker and together with my wife Helen, we run Just Shutter’s, the premier Plantation Shutter company across the UK. We are a local family company and specialists in the field, working only with the highest quality Plantation Shutters. We have worked hard to build up a solid reputation for exceptional standards for both our service and products.

When was your business established?
Just Shutter’s was established in June 2006. We became a franchise business in late 2010 and now have 3 franchisees and 4 territories up and running across the UK.

What drove you to start the business?
Three things really: it is a great product, I wanted to build something for my family, and it was the right moment in time.

How has the recent financial climate affected your business and what, if anything, have you changed as a result?
Plantation Shutters are the fastest growing niche in the window coverings market. We are very lucky in that we have not been hugely affected by the state of the economy. In fact, due to the financial climate being the way it is, the property industry is suffering, so home improvement business are doing well on the back of this. Instead of moving, people in the UK are choosing to improve their own homes. Adding Plantation shutters is one of the easiest ways to transform the look, feel and ambience of a room. Due to our lifetime guarantee they are viewed as a real investment by the home owner.

What’s next for the business?
We currently offer customers the widest range of Plantation Shutters and options of any specialist in the UK, and we are always looking at ways to improve and grow this. Our aim is to have 12 franchisees by 2013 which is looking to be an achievable target if we carry on with our marketing efforts.

What do you look for in potential staff members?
I am looking for people who want to be their own boss; people who would like to take control of their future and start their own Just Shutters in their local area. We know that to be successful a franchisee they must have great people skills, an eye for detail and be prepared to follow our proven systems. Just Shutters is a great brand to be a part of, a very ethical and friendly company with its own warm personality.

Do you think a degree is important when recruiting?
In this line of work I don’t believe a degree is necessary, although it does show me that the person is dedicated and able to stick at something and work hard, it also allows them to have developed good organisational skills, which are very useful when starting your own business.

What has been your best and worst moment in business?
The best was a real “light bulb” moment with Duncan Bannatyne realising the route to growing our successful local business was through franchising. The worst moment was losing a year’s growth with our first franchise development advisor, who disappeared under a rock never to be seen again!

What was your first job?
Working as a waiter, the lowlight was being chased round the kitchen by a randy chef with a knife!

What one piece of advice would you give to someone starting a new business?
If you are in any doubt whether you will be successful at starting your own business, invest in starting a franchise and follow a proven business model with support to guide you along a well-trodden path.

What do you think makes a good entrepreneur?
I think for an entrepreneur to be successful they need to know when to delegate. You can’t do everything yourself so focus on the tasks that will provide you the most value, and find people you trust to take on the others. Generally these are the tasks you enjoy and are best at, which means your business will move forwards far more quickly.

Where do you see yourself in 10 years?
Hopefully with a better work/life balance! Running your own business is hard work, but growing that into a franchise network takes another level of energy!

If you could be anywhere in the world today, where could you be and why?
Back to Kashmir, I was lucky enough to spend two wonderful months there with my brother. To swim in crystal clear lakes from the back of a beautiful Cedarwood house-boat and be surrounded by a snow capped ring of mountains that include K2 the world’s second highest peak is a real privilege, this memory just makes my heart sing.

What is your favourite local haunt?
I love Southbourne in Bournemouth for living, shopping and just enjoying.

What single place would you advise someone to go in Dorset?
On the climb up to Swire Head in the Purbecks, go and sit on the new Portland stone bench which has been dedicated to the long dead heroes of Dorset’s worst aircraft crash, look out over the valley above Encombe and be glad to be alive.

Which 5 guests (dead or alive) would you invite to a fantasy dinner party?
Karen von Blixen, Cecil Rhodes, Nelson Mandela, Bill Clinton and my beautiful wife.

Describe your home’s style?
We have a beautiful home with strong foundations. Like our family it is built to last. With all the principle rooms facing South I am pleased to note we walk the talk and have Plantation Shutters in almost every room! I am very proud of our home, it always brings a smile to my face.