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If you're interested in being your own boss and want to learn more about a particular franchise industry, such as business training, gardening, recruitment or education, it can be helpful to read some testimonials in your chosen field. Owning a franchise is a big responsibility so when it is done correctly, in an field that you're passionate about, the results can be life-changing. We love to hear from franchisees who found their ideal franchise opportunity on Franchise Direct UK. In 2018, we had a wide range of franchisees report back to us about how they were getting on and the stories speak for themselves.
Change of Direction
Many people are drawn to the franchise world because it represents something entirely new – it's an industry that is quite different from the corporate world, for example, and that difference can be appealing. John was drawn to Spoton.net for this exact reason. He wanted to utilise his sales and marketing skills as a franchisee, where he could run his own business and see where that journey took him. Andrew had worked for an engineering company for 25 years and decided that he needed a new challenge. This decision led him to browse the Franchise Direct UK portal and discover a SecurityTrust franchise where he could earn more income and safeguard his future. In just 3 weeks, he had several completed deals and £3,000 in his pocket.
Flexible Working Hours
Typically, franchisees do not work from 9am-5pm or from any set times for that matter! Franchisees balance their work with other commitments, such as raising children, studying or caring for an elderly family member. 21st century living is fast-paced so it helps when you can work at times and days that suit you. Michelle was looking for a flexible working pattern and saw that SmartPA were offering a franchise opportunity that was home-based and had no particular set hours. She was intrigued by the fact that she could take her career to the next level without leaving her home.
Unexpected Events
Sometimes an unexpected event can lead to a whole new way of life. Losing a loved one, becoming unemployed or experiencing financial hardship are all negative life events that can make us re-evaluate what is important to us. For Ian, taking a redundancy package from an automotive company gave him time to think about how he wanted to spend the rest of his working life. Ian says: "The whole culture of the company had changed, and to be honest after over 25 years working in the technical side of the paint industry I was beginning to get a bit bored. But I like working with paint, so it seemed to make sense to stay within a field that I had some knowledge of, but to do something completely different with it. I began looking at automotive smart repair franchises and Revive! was the option that appealed to me most.” Ian was able to turn an unexpected event into something entirely new where he could grow both professionally and personally and he has not looked back since. Similarly, Jonathan set up his BLAM! business after a change in regulations forced him to close his successful life insurance business. This new career venture was an instant success, with Jonathan earning a 4-figure sum just months after he began trading.
Low Cost Opportunity
Running a start-up business comes with a lot of costs, so this is one reason that people prefer to buy a franchise. You're signing up to an established brand where much of the legwork has already been done for you. There's an effective business model in place that can be accessed after the initial payment or franchise fee has been made. Ray worked in the armed forces and was looking for a business opportunity that was cost-effective and easy to manage. He saw Lawnscience on Franchise Direct UK and wanted to learn more about the franchise model. "I was attracted to Lawnscience because of the low-cost startup, it was better value than the other lawn care franchises. I could also create my own territory and not just be given a pre-created territory." A low-cost franchise can often lead to a thriving business, and this was the case for Angus. He became Sourced's Edinburgh franchisee and is finally working in a sector that he's always had a keen interest in. Angus already has a number of conversion/development projects underway and is set for great things this year.
Browse our exciting range of franchise opportunities right here and see what 2019 has in store for you!