Being upwardly mobile can help you make a clean start
Working from a van means you avoid the cost of business premises, and the liveried vehicle provides constant mobile advertising. Last year, former professional yachtsman James Arthur became the 100th franchisee with mobile oven-cleaning service ovenclean. ‘i enjoy the flexibility and love being out and about and meeting new people every day,’ he says. But it’s not just about driving and cleaning ovens. James, 57, from Macclesfield, says: ‘Head office helps out with national marketing, but i market my business locally, and customer numbers are growing as i am building a reputation for professional oven cleaning services.’ Lidia Benvie-Ferreiros, group marketing manager at ovenclean, where the franchise investment is £14,995, says: ‘if you like getting out and meeting new people, the ovenclean mobile franchise will suit you, but you must use your time effectively. ‘We train our franchisees in the best ways to manage their diary, including route-planning, to maximise bookings.’ oliver Edwards, 49, is the ChipsAway Southampton franchisee — the investment required is £29,995. He provides a mobile repair service for vehicle paintwork and bodywork. oliver, who had formerly run several petrol stations, says: ‘Mobile franchises typically provide leads from head office, so when i moved the business from Bradford to Hampshire, effectively setting up my business all over again, i knew that i would have the support and security of head office leads. ‘in fact, for the first six weeks i had enough work without needing to do any advertising of my own.’ As well as driving, route-planning and marketing, mobile franchises are about customer service. oliver says: ‘The pleasure in a job well done and the smile on a customer’s face when it is finished are some of the best rewards.’