The ‘man and a van’ who now employs 19 people
ALONE ‘ man and a van’ franchise can grow into a much bigger business.
Car enthusiast Nathan Holmes bought a Revive! franchise, providing mobile vehicle repairs in Cambridge, in 2007. today, his business employs 19 people and operates 11 mobile vans.
Nathan, 33, who now owns the business alongside his first employee Adam Holmes and his friend Andrew Blackhurst, wants to double its size in the next three years.
He says: ‘I had ambitions to build a bigger business from the start.
‘the support from Revive! head office and the quality of training as part of the network have helped us get to where we are now.’
Mark Llewellyn, managing director of Revive!, says: ‘our franchisees start out as hands- on mobile repairers. But with our large territories and encouragement, they can grow the operation. We look for people with the ambition dand energy to build a multi-van business.’ the franchise costs £23,500.
Elio Auletta, 52, has been a franchisee with Snap- on, which sells tools from mobile vans, for 20 years. He says: ‘I started off alone in a van selling tools to automotive technicians, but now I have four territories and I am running the business rather than driving one of our mobile showrooms.
‘Being mobile means going to customers rather than just hoping someone comes into your shop. Snap-on helps by researching your territory and setting up routes.’
He advises those considering a mobile franchise: ‘Don’t treat it like a nine-to-five delivery job. Keep pushing for better performance.’
Lisa Law, national franchise manager at Snap- on, says: ‘We look for people with the skills and ability to build customer rapport. If you are motivated, willing to expend serious effort and have the right attitude, then we can teach you all you need to build up the business.’
the investment required to buy a franchise is £16,037. REVIVE!, 01788 569999; Snap-on, 01235 831053.