Following the franchising signs

Martin Davis, franchisee at Signs Express (Huddersfield) explains his first steps to becoming part of the UK and Ireland's leading signs and graphics company.

Making a decision to become a franchisee is difficult in itself but when faced with the varied options available, it can take a while to digest. I joined the Signs Express team in the middle of last year and was up and running a few months later, but before I signed on the dotted line I had a number of potential candidates to get to grips with. If I'm honest though, Signs Express was in my top five from the first visit to the Franchise Exhibition at the Olympia in London back in March 2007.
Coming from a management background which began after joining the family business in 1980, I spent my time knee deep in the supply of pattern paper and design accessories at J Davis (London) Ltd, which we later sold to Eastman Machine Co Ltd where I continued my journey up the corporate ladder. But after 27 years working for the same company the work started to become stagnated and I desperately needed to branch out. I liked the idea of running my own business, but with a family to support I was wary of starting a stand-alone business from scratch. After comparing many statistics the rate of success seemed to lie with franchising, so I set to work gathering as much information as I could to decide on my next move.

My wife Bing and I spent a whole day at the Franchise Exhibition talking to some 20 different franchisors, but even at this early stage we had been duly impressed after our meeting with Signs Express sales and marketing director Tony Marsh and Signs Express (N&NE Lincs) franchisee Ken Bevis. They seemed so enthusiastic about the opportunities that were available and by listening to the success of Ken's own business it really gave us an insight into the possibilities. They captured our attention quickly, mainly because they had such a genuine approach and didn't badger us with a hard sell, they remained truthful, telling us of the success stories and even of the difficulties that other franchisees had incurred. This honesty made it easy to realise the franchising potential and the positives of having the support of a franchisor and a business network.

When we got home we went through our notes and literature, and quickly narrowed our options down to five main contenders. Each time we assessed our five possibilities we kept coming back to sign making as the most enticing option. I spent the next couple of months visiting each of the franchisors and Signs Express still stood out from the rest. It ticked all the boxes - it was professional, provided the best support, and had a terrific business model. I was also impressed because it was the only franchisor that appeared to be interviewing and selecting me at the same time as I was interviewing and selecting them. The deal was signed and sealed shortly after.

By having the support of a franchisor, setting up has been a lot easier than if I had chosen to go it alone. I am working to a successful business model which lets me know what to do and how to do it, where I am going, and how much to sell for etc. Whenever I need help or information it is only a phone call away, which saves me a great deal of time. It also reassures me that during the quiet moments, I can look at the business plan and see that I am in fact, well on schedule. Don't get me wrong, it hasn't been easy and there have been hurdles on the way but through continued effort and by listening to the advice, experience and knowledge of such a successful franchisor the obstacles have been 100 per cent easier to overcome - but I'll save that story for next time.