Case Studies

Paul Thomas joined Surface Medic in May and was in the first group of trainees. We caught up with him to find out how he’s adjusting to life as a Surface Medic Technician. What did you do before joining Surface Medic Paul?I had worked for a conservatory company as a store man looking after supplies and arranging all the kit and materials that the fitters would need before each job. Occasionally I would also assist the fitters so I was quite used to working with my hands and also with the general...

A Bristol man is hoping that his newly-launched oven valeting firm will ‘blossom’ into a thriving small business, following a successful management career in horticulture.Dave Manning has swapped his 30 year career at a garden centre, where he worked his way up from the age of 18 to become manager, to start out in business as owner of Ovenu Bristol East.By becoming his own boss and venturing into self-employment, Dave, 48, has fulfilled one of his lifelong ambitions.“I had thought about going do...

A father and son team of oven valeters is hoping to clean up in Manchester, after starting out in business.Joe Moran and his two sons, Mike and Steven, have launched Ovenu Manchester Central, which provides an environmentally-friendly oven valeting service to homes and businesses in the city.Joe, 62, has worked as an IT technician for the past 19 years, while Mike and Steven, who are 23 and 25, respectively, have worked in management roles in retail. Joe will continue in his current role, but wi...

You've read about the Go Direct Lettings franchise opportunity. Now hear from the successful franchisees that make up the Go Direct Lettings network.

My name is Fraser Robertson and I have been a Filtafry Plus franchisee since 2011.Previous to this I have a very wide and varied career pathway ranging from a sheet metal worker, to a forester/gardener, then serving with the British Army during the first Gulf War. I then retrained as a Mental Health Nurse achieving the position of a Care Home manager after fourteen years working both in the N.H.S and the private sector. Although these jobs were all rewarding in their own way I always felt I woul...

Andrew Morton now has two offices and two shops More than a decade after first setting up TaxAssist Accountants in Ludlow to provide specialist tax and accountancy services to the small business community, accountant Andrew Morton has expanded his services to Bridgnorth, opening a fourth office in the Smithfield Centre. Andrew established TaxAssist Accountants in Ludlow in 2003, before opening in Craven Arms in 2006 and Leominster in 2012 and now his team looks after the tax and accountancy ne...

Charles Millar is no stranger to being his own boss. He’s worked for himself on and off since he was 20 years old in the IT sector for some of the world’s largest brands, including Hewlett Packard and UBS Bank. With proven problem-solving skills and technical acumen, he also founded several businesses throughout his career, many of which were sold for a profit. In addition to that, Charles has also built a small property portfolio worth £1m in less than four years. So why turn to online retail?...

CNA International Trevor Dale explains why he chose to invest in starting his executive search recruitment business as part of the CNA International franchise network. York-based Trevor Dale loves flying around and briefly considered recruiting for the aviation sector with his new CNA International franchise business, in the end he settled on food manufacturing when he started his business in October 2012. "I know the food sector from past experience, so I thought it best to stick to what I kno...

As a full member of the British Franchise Association, Northwood has been successfully trading since 1995. With a network of over 85 offices and 20,000 landlords, their experience ensures they are able to offer every new franchisee the best possible chance of success. We spoke to Lingam Raghulan, who opened his franchise August 2015 in Maidenhead, to see how he found the process of becoming a Northwood franchisee. Tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to setting up your No...

The Sheffield-based oven valeting firm is expecting to double its turnover after driving forward expansion plans by investing in its workforce and infrastructure.Ovenu Sheffield South, which serves Chesterfield, Dronfield and Sheffield, has taken on a sub-contractor, as well as having purchased a new van, to keep up with increased demand, following year-on-year growth of 40%.Paul Paling, who operated Ovenu Sheffield South between 2004 and 2007, has re-joined the firm having worked as a manager o...

Ian Allen explains why he chose to setup his automotive retail executive franchise recruitment business with the support of C N A International franchise, rather than on his own. With 20 years in the automotive retail industry, West Midlands-based Ian Allen decided to become his own boss and set up his C N A International recruitment business in 2011. “Basically, I recruit for senior roles for motor dealerships, from businesses with one dealership to PLCs with hundreds of them. Business good at...

Joanna Martorana was at a pivotal point in her life when she found ActionCOACH. Just four months into her journey as a franchise partner, she talks to us about her experiences and motivations. “During my 12-year career in investment banking I had got married and had 2 children whilst working 12-hour days! I was well aware that sacrificing time with my family was far too big a price to pay. I had a wake up call in 2013 which led to my marriage ending a year later. I knew that this huge life-chan...