Designs on success? Grab a helping hand while you can
NEVER turn down a helping hand — that’s the advice from former design technology teacher Matt Jones, who now helps people create their dream kitchen.
Matt, 39, runs a Dream Doors franchise, a shop-based kitchen design service, in Truro, Cornwall, and says: ‘What I have gleaned from my area manager has been priceless.
‘You can tap into the franchisor’s experience and expertise. I use my design expertise and skills from teaching to help customers. But I would not have done this without help from Dream Doors.’
Matt advises: ‘Listen to all the advice you’re given as a franchisee — you don’t know everything, and that’s OK. Buying a franchise means learning from other people’s experience. And if you are passionate about your products and service, customers are more likely to buy.’
Troy Tappenden, managing director of Dream Doors, says: ‘Franchisees need the drive and ambition to make a substantial profit.
‘We provide training, so no prior kitchen or installation experience is necessary.’ The franchise costs £25,000, plus up to £50,000 in startup costs.
Russell Golding, 48, a franchisee with tailoring and alterations franchise The ZipYard, says: ‘My centre is in the Milton Keynes shopping centre, a location I would never have been able to access as an independent start-up. Commercial landlords look for the trading history and high quality shop-fit that an established business such as The ZipYard provides.
‘The franchisor also helps to negotiate the lease, so ZipYard franchisees can access a prime retail position, even as a new start-up.’
Russell advises: ‘Ask retail franchisors what help they provide in securing a good location.’
Nigel Toplis, managing director of the Bardon Group, which includes the ZipYard brand, says: ‘We look for people who can build rapport with customers to encourage repeat business. A good ZipYard franchisee should also be a good people manager, disciplined, willing to follow a successful business system, energetic and ambitious. No tailoring experience is needed.’ The franchise costs £38,500 plus shopfitting. Dream Doors, 0808 2736729; The ZipYard, 01530 513 300.