Looking for success? Then back a winner
WHEN researching franchises, it pays to listen to franchisees, particularly if they are award winners.
This year Adam Holmes, Nathan Holmes and Andrew Blackhurst — who own the Revive! Auto Innovations franchise in Cambridge, repairing scuffs and scrapes to vehicles — shared the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisee of the Year award.
Adam, 30, advises: ‘Choose an area you’re passionate about. We love working on cars every day.
‘Find a franchise offering training and support. Our business would not be where it is today without Revive’s help.’
Four years ago the business had five staff, but now has 16, a workshop and eight van-based mobile technicians. Adam advises: ‘Don’t be a nine-to-fiver. It takes long hours to grow the business, but if you love it, it’s not a chore.’
Young Franchisee of the Year is drains specialist Metro Rod’s Ben Witcomb, 26, of Tredegar, Wales, who became managing director of the business when his father semi-retired in 2012.
‘We now have 14 staff and turnover has risen by 209 per cent. Franchising is a good route into business for the young. You get an established brand and use your youthful energy and enthusiasm to sell it.
‘You also get advice from the franchise executives and franchisees who have business experience.’
Olderpreneur of the Year Steve Brown, 64, who has a Rosemary Bookkeeping franchise in Newbury, Berkshire with his daughter TJ, says: ‘It’s never too late to make a change and learn new skills.’
Female Franchisee of The Year was Tricia Craig (Metro Rod); B2B Franchisee of the Year was Kevin Lawley (Minster Cleaning Services); Microbusiness Franchisee of the Year was Richard Bryan (Wilkins Chimney Sweep); and 02 franchisee Zak Patel got an award for his campaign to provide access to technology for visually impaired people.