Surefire way to design success
WHEN Maree Dixon decided to get into retail, she realised the kitchen showroom and design studio franchise in-toto was the obvious choice. And she hasn’t looked back since.
‘ I knew the in- toto brand from my previous experience in property development, and I respected the quality of its products, so going into retail with in-toto made sense,’ says Maree.
‘In my fourth month, I was top UK franchisee for retail sales, and by the end of my first year, sales were more than 100pc up in comparison to 2010.’
By 2014, the studio’s sales had increased by over 300pc, and Maree now has studios in Amersham and Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
‘Being part of a franchise helps in retail, especially in the beginning to establish yourself. The support with product training and marketing materials meant I hit the ground running and achieved business growth much quicker,’ says Maree, 48.
Maree also came second in a national in- toto mystery shopper exercise, scoring 100pc for customer experience.
‘Getting it right for each client is vital, and I get genuine satisfaction seeing the happiness a new kitchen brings to its owner,’ she says.
Jasmine Powdrill, in-toto’s franchise development manager, says: ‘ Our franchisees benefit from strong brand recognition, reputation, training, national advertising, franchisee support and lead generation.’ The in- toto investment averages £105,000.
Marc Squires, 32, is co-owner of the Harrogate Signarama sign-making franchise with Kevin Masheder. Marc says: ‘Signarama is mainly a business-to-business franchise, but our premises are on a main road, which helps with brand awareness, and we do get some walk-in custom.’
Product design graduates Marc and Kevin could have set up in business for themselves, but as Marc says: ‘A franchise means you start with an existing brand, support from the franchisor and other franchisees, who have sometimes passed on work to us.’
Signarama franchise recruitment manager Annetta Doyle says: ‘New franchisees get a five- week initial training programme, on- site business development, ongoing support in marketing, PR, operations, IT and HR, plus regional meetings and annual conferences.’ The franchise fee is £35,000.