Sixteen Years and Still Going Strong With OSCAR
After sixteen years Neil and Lorraine Stapleton (pictured) continue to enjoy running an OSCAR pet food home delivery business, tailored to suit their lifestyle, their family and their future.
Neil began by saying, “‘A change is as good as a rest’, even when running a successful business. Over the years OSCAR has helped us to thrive with new and improved products and incentives – the boost that we and our customers need.
“We’ve been very comfortable in our OSCAR franchise and, when initially committing to a new business with a young family, we were able to get off to an affordable start. By following the tried and tested system the traditional methods of marketing are still in place, but technology speeds up the process. Our records are always up-to-date in order to keep customers informed of deliveries and, now with more options of communication, the traditional telephone calls are backed up by email or text in order to reach customers at all times – ensuring that their pet food larder is always full.”
Neil goes on to say, “We take advantage of every opportunity and the development of a dedicated marketing service is constructive and informative to existing, new and potential customers – with follow on reminder letters to every enquiry. We bring different skills to our business,” says Neil.
“Working as a team, I am very hands-on with the deliveries, where Lorraine is extremely organised and ensures that the administration runs smoothly and efficiently. In spite of the varied lines of communication we do like to maintain personal customer contact and have enjoyed the exercise associated with the door-to-door leaflet drops that bring us closer to the community.”
Neil continues, “The business allows us freedom of choice and flexibility to fine tune the daily routines that give us time off when it suits and, even more, time for our family. Being able to work around home life has made a huge difference, especially during the early years when the child seat went in the van on delivery days. The flexibility of the OSCAR franchise also allowed us regular attendance at school on parents days.”
Neil highlighted the importance of connecting with other franchisees. “Working with neighbouring franchisees at shows and events adds a positive impact to individual businesses. Our respective collaboration on the local radio station and passing on area referrals simply adds to the advantages of networking. OSCAR too are very supportive, being open to ideas and suggestions; they provide incentives to help customers appreciate just how much we can still spoil their pets!
We enjoy the challenge of change and how it works for the customer, but having trialled our own various promotional campaigns we can now take advantage of the OSCAR introductory starter pack. As a platform to launch the new and improved dog and cat food range the starter pack is a great way to try the foods for £5. Combined with the traditional OSCAR taste trial, the starter pack offers a discount voucher off the first order. This is a brilliant way to generate new business.
The OSCAR added incentive is a friendly starter pack competition. It’s a network challenge to win a weekend in New York for the top two franchise businesses who sell the most starter packs. Timing couldn’t have been better – we’ve put off our holiday for this year to concentrate on refreshing our business area but, with fingers crossed and a bit of luck, there might be a long weekend waiting in the wings!” Neil, OSCAR franchisee
