Case Studies

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...

Joy Sargeant has spent the past 15 years working in Human Resources, helping to manage large teams and training hundreds of HR professionals. But now she is swapping HR for housekeeping as she launches her own eco-friendly domestic homecare franchise business, Bright & Beautiful which will be creating a number of jobs for local Joy previously worked for Birmingham City Council and a large accountancy firm, managing and building teams, training HR professionals and dealing with enquiries from tho...

After being in similar sales roles in large blue-chip companies, I felt un-challenged, and like I was going round in circles with no real progression and therefore the desire to power the hamster wheel for the large corporations. Working to please management and shareholders year in year out was not what I wanted. I needed something more, something better, a new environment. Why did you choose the FiltaFry Franchise?I chose the FiltaFry vacumm based cleaning franchise as the idea is so pleasing...

Will Tsang lives in Buckinghamshire and joined Platinum Property Partners (PPP) franchise with his wife Hoi in May 2015. He invests in the Northamptonshire franchise territory area and has two Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) up and running.What did you do before buying your franchise?I was working in the finance industry in London and then Hong Kong for the past ten years. I had a flat that I was living in whilst working in London and when I went to Hong Kong, I rented it out, because that...

Jamie Goral grew up spending time with both of his divorced parents. Both of them were business owners, his mum had a hair salon and his dad had a shop selling cots, prams and buggies. Whichever home he stayed at, he would hear the same stories of business hardship, long working hours and the struggle to pay the mortgage. He grew up wanting to help business owners like his parents to achieve more and thought that a career in finance would give him the opportunity to do that. Why ActionCOACH?...

Easy Resettlement magazine recently spoke to Mike Masser who previously served in the RAF from 1968 through to 1980 achieving the rank of Corporal. On leaving the RAF mike worked for British Aerospace initially in Chester and later in Riyadh Saudi Arabia for 12 years. Due to family reasons Mike moved back to the UK and decided that he would like to work for himself and be able to run his own business. He decided to invest in a franchise that went into liquidation. Unfortunately he lost the in...

Opening the MagiKats Children's franchise Fleet Centre in October 2015, Lindsey Falconer reflected if she advised someone considering MagiKats or new franchise opportunities, she’d say: “If they understand the USPs of MagiKats, and think it sounds like a good programme, then it’s probably something they can sell.” New Fleet franchisee builds enrolments Having grasped the MagiKats philosophy, the next thing Lindsey considered before taking on a franchise was being a mum of one. Looking afte...