From Franchisee to Mentor: Steve Axtell’s 15-Year Journey with it’seeze

Run Your Own Digital Business with Recurring Income | No Technical Skills Required

Introduction

The it’seeze franchise offers a proven and supported route into the digital industry for individuals looking to run their own business without starting from scratch.

You will build a local client base providing professional websites and online services, while a central UK based team manages all design, build, hosting, and ongoing support.

This allows you to focus on growing your business through relationships, while the technical side is handled for you.

The Opportunity

This is a relationship driven business built around working with local companies.

Your role is to:

Build connections with business owners
Develop long term client relationships
Grow your customer base within your territory

Much of the business is generated through referrals and repeat clients, supported by a strong 5 star reputation.

You are not responsible for designing or building websites, allowing you to focus on the commercial side of the business.

What Your Day Looks Like

Your time is spent engaging with your local business community:

Networking and attending local events
Meeting business owners
Understanding client needs
Building long term relationships

This is a people focused role rather than a technical one.

How You Make Money

The model is designed to generate both upfront income and ongoing recurring revenue:

Upfront payments from new website projects
Monthly income from hosting, support, and services
Additional revenue from services such as SEO

As your client base grows, your recurring income builds, creating a stable and scalable business.

Investment and Financial Information

Franchise Fee: £7,995 + VAT
Management Fee: £125 per month (no fee in Year 1)
No ongoing royalty fees on your revenue

You can begin generating income from day one, depending on your activity levels.

Many franchisees generate revenue within their first few months as they begin building their client base.

What Makes it’seeze Different

Unlike many digital businesses, you are not relying on templates or outsourcing work.

You benefit from:

A central UK based team of professional designers
Bespoke website design tailored to each client
Consistent and reliable delivery
A support structure that has been in place since 2008

This enables you to offer a high quality service without needing technical expertise yourself.

Why This Model Works Today

While AI and DIY platforms have made it easier to create basic websites, most businesses still require:

A professional online presence that builds trust
Ongoing support and advice
Reliable hosting, security, and performance
A long term partner

This business is built around delivering that ongoing value, which supports recurring income rather than one off projects.

The Ideal Candidate

This opportunity is well suited to individuals who:

Have a background in sales, business development, or client facing roles
Enjoy building relationships and working with people
Want to run their own business with support
Are motivated to build long term, recurring income

No previous web design or technical experience is required.

Training and Support

Full training is provided to get you started, along with ongoing support including:

Central design and development team
Business mentoring and guidance
Proven systems and processes
Marketing support

We also have a range of real franchisee interviews available on enquiry, giving you a clear picture of how others have built and grown their businesses within the model.

You build the relationships.

We deliver the websites.

Your income grows month by month.

The Next Step

If you are exploring business ownership and want a structured, supported route into a growing industry, this opportunity is worth exploring further:

it’seeze Websites Financial Data

The following financial information was provided by it’seeze Websites to give you more information about the costs associated with a it’seeze Websites opportunity

Minimum Investment

£7,995 + VAT

From Franchisee to Mentor: Steve Axtell’s 15-Year Journey with it’seeze

June 16, 2025

In the fast-paced world of digital marketing, consistency and innovation are rare qualities to find side by side — but Steve Axtell, one of it’seeze’s longest-standing franchisees, has managed to strike that balance for over 15 years.

Now, after building a thriving regional business in the Northampton region, and earning the respect of colleagues across the network, Steve is stepping into a new role as a dedicated mentor for it’seeze franchisees, offering insight, support, and guidance to both new and established members of the franchise family.

A Proven Track Record of Growth

Steve launched his it’seeze franchise back in the early days of the brand. Over the last decade and a half, he has successfully grown his territory through a combination of strategic networking, customer service excellence, and local reputation building. With hundreds of website clients across his area, Steve is a prime example of what long-term franchise success looks like.

But success hasn’t made him complacent. Steve has continually adapted to changes in the digital landscape — embracing social media marketing, exploring networking opportunites, and refining his client onboarding processes — all while maintaining the personalised support his clients love him for.

Why Mentorship Matters in Franchising

Franchising is a unique business model. While franchisees benefit from the strength of a national brand and proven systems, launching and growing a local operation still requires personal effort, local knowledge, and an understanding of the industry.

That’s where someone like Steve can make all the difference.

As a mentor, Steve will be on-hand to support new franchisees as they get established, helping them navigate early challenges like lead generation, product knowledge, and sales structure. But this role isn't just about onboarding — Steve will also work with existing franchisees who are looking to grow, refine, or reinvigorate their businesses.

He’ll be offering:

One-on-one mentoring sessions
Insights on local marketing and sales
Advice on client relationship management
Proven workflows for successful onboarding
Support on managing and scaling day-to-day operations

Strengthening the it’seeze Network

The decision to formalise Steve’s mentoring role reflects it’seeze’s broader commitment to building a collaborative and supportive network. By enabling franchisees to learn from one another, the brand empowers every region to grow more sustainably — with fewer growing pains and greater resilience.

Alex Brook, Franchise Development Manager at it’seeze, said:

“Steve’s experience is invaluable. He’s seen almost every challenge a franchisee might face — and solved it with a level head and smart thinking. We’re delighted he’s agreed to support others in the network. It’s a win for everyone.”

Looking Ahead

As Steve takes on this new chapter, he’s excited to pass on what he’s learned — not just the ‘how’ of running a successful franchise, but the mindset that sustains long-term growth. It’s a role that suits his calm, practical nature and his belief in the power of shared success.

Whether it’s helping someone convert their first lead or brainstorming ways to increase retention with an experienced franchisee, Steve is ready to give back to the network that’s helped him thrive.

Interested in Joining the it’seeze Network?

With over 15 years of proven franchise growth and a mentor like Steve behind you, there's never been a better time to join the it'seeze family. If you're ready to start your own digital business — with all the support of a trusted national brand — we’d love to talk.

it’seeze Websites Success Stories

it’seeze Websites Testimonials

I sold over 40 sites in my first year with it'seeze. Just going live on one site used to take me a day. Now head office does that, so I saved 40 day's work in year one alone. I used the time to market my service. Since then I have doubled my clients, and brought many clients from my independent agency into my new business. Now head office handles their site maintenance, which has reduced my time spent on serving them, so I can keep their fees reasonable. As a spoton.net franchisee I can deliver better client service at a lower price than I could have as an independent, and I have time to expand my business. It's a win for everyone."

Nick Templeton

After researching a variety of companies, it was it'seeze that really appealed to me as a viable and sustainable online franchise business. Most of the other web franchises I researched simply weren't commercially well-thought out and/or didn't have a range of products that I felt would be in high enough demand”

Phil Revill

Meeting the friendly and knowledgeable team and seeing a live demonstration of the it’seeze website editor really strengthened my desire to be part of this online franchise. The day I had at the it'seeze Head Office was incredibly worthwhile, and a great opportunity for me to find out more information without any pressure to make a decision. I spoke with a number of franchisees before making my decision to join the web franchise and they all confirmed what I thought - that it'seeze is a proven business model, with great earning opportunities and a very helpful support team at Head Office.

Ian Burnett

“I now have exactly what I always wanted – a business where I get to meet and work with new people every day, a rapidly growing residual income and, most importantly, I can still be at home when my children get home from school.

Suzy Perry

"I’ve proved to myself that I can run my own business, win new customers, and provide them with an excellent website and level of support. The job satisfaction is far greater than I have experienced with any employed roles."

Gary Stewart Franchisee Testimonial Image

Garry Stewart

“Having attended a discovery day at it'seeze Head Office, I was very impressed with the quality of design and the investment in technology. Meeting all the team during my visit convinced me this was an online marketing franchise that I wanted to work with.”

Rob Davies

“The ongoing support and training from the team at it'seeze is second to none, and it has been a significant factor in helping me to continually grow my business.