Managing role is made to measure
After 30 years spent working abroad Paul Meredith switched career and launched into franchising.
He now owns a clothing alterations and repair shop, the Zip Yard in Worcester.
‘for three decades in Africa I was chief technical officer for two mobile phone companies, in Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya and Democratic republic of Congo,’ says Paul, 59.
Paul returned to the UK in 2016, wanting to start his own business, and discovered the Zip Yard. He says: ‘It offered the autonomy I wanted, coupled with support from the franchise head office.
‘I had run teams of up to 260 staff — now I have six — and I had experience in project management and setting up businesses.
‘the franchise head office helped with guidance on premises, obtaining machines and shopfitting, so it was not as big a career change as you might expect.’
Brian Kielt, co-founder of the Zip Yard, says: ‘ Our franchisees come from a wide variety of backgrounds but all have good organisational skills and a commitment to high levels of customer service, and are keen to build a business. We offer management training and ongoing support.’ the franchise costs £35,000 plus the fit-out of the shop.
former newsagent Pervez Siddique, 41, now uses his management and customer service skills as owner of the energie fitness gym in Glasgow South. ‘I knew there was huge demand for this type of gym here,’ he says.
‘We focus on customer service and we now have more than 1,800 regular members. the Scottish office of energie fitness helped me find the right premises and fit them out, and a pre- launch marketing campaign meant that we had 1,000 members from day one. I am now looking to open my second branch.’ Investment starts at £95,000.