Franchisee Success Story - Sally Findlay

Recognition Express

Franchisee Success Story - Sally Findlay

March 14, 2008

Having begun trading in April 2004, Sally Findlay has exceeded her target for the second year and has been dealing with a whole wealth of clients from big companies through to a high repeat demand from smaller businesses.

When Sally Findlay wanted to start her own company, while seeking that genius idea, she decided to look for a franchise. ‘I started looking at franchises that would fit my requirements and strengths.’ One franchise immediately caught Sally’s eye – Recognition Express. ‘It very much appealed to me because of the marketing side and the creative aspects of the business.’

Two years plus down the line, Sally is very much enjoying her time as Recognition Express franchise owner in Cobham, Surrey. Having begun trading in April 2004, Sally has exceeded her target for the second year and has been dealing with a whole wealth of clients from big companies through to a high repeat demand from smaller businesses.

Recognition Express supplies, manufactures and sources promotional products to be used by companies to market themselves. ‘We offer a full range, which covers name badges, clothing, business gifts, awards and signage, polo shirts….and the most popular are pens with company logos!’

Sally found the initial training to be very helpful indeed. She received comprehensive pre-training literature that would prepare her for the company’s two-week residential training course held at the head office in Hinckley. The programme covers accounts, book-keeping, sales, marketing and literature, production techniques, how to work costs, and how to produce graphics and products.

After the initial training, Sally has gained from Recognition Express’s ongoing support in the form of telephone help-lines and regular regional training days. ‘There are always parts of the training that you can repeat if there wasn’t enough time to cover them initially or if you didn’t understand them,’ adds Sally, outlining another advantage of training with Recognition Express.

The minimum investment for a franchise is £30,000. Sally says that this paid for £10,000 worth of production equipment, the computer packages, stock, samples, display equipment, a considerable start-up package (including literature, business cards, letters and brochures), a database of companies in each individual franchise area, and also the training course.

‘The great thing about the business is that I could start from home and then expand it,’ says Sally. ‘I can grow it at my own pace and the customer’s as well.’ Sally has assistance in the form of a part-time book-keeper, as well as a member of staff who is about the go from working two days a week to working full-time. Sally also has production staff who work on an ad hoc basis when required, and is planning to build up these numbers too.

When asked what the Recognition Express franchise can offer, Sally cites: ‘A highly professional service, superb support and high-quality literature.’

‘The set up is very good. We are ahead of the field in a lot of areas. Another great thing about the company is that you are free to go with your strengths. Before joining as a franchisee, I hadn’t done accounts or sales, and so they filled in the gaps. They give their franchisees exactly what they need.

The company has definitely exceeded expectations. I feel that I am part of a team with the franchisors. You do not feel so much as though you are on your own. The company is also highly innovative – it is always introducing new things such as new products, ways of expansion, more colours, and more variety.’

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