In January 2025, Simone and Richard Fisher embarked on an exciting new venture, launching Kitchen Makeovers Colchester. This marks their first experience of both working together and owning a business. Having already shared the joy of raising their three daughters, they now navigate the challenges and rewards of running their growing business as a team.
Many might assume that a business’s first two months would be fraught with chaos. However, Simone and Richard’s complementary skills create a perfect balance, allowing them to navigate the early days with confidence. As Kitchen Makeovers franchisees, they’re already reaping the rewards of their venture, both professionally and in their daily lives.
“After over 30 years together, raising three wonderful daughters and even welcoming two grandchildren, we knew it was time for a new chapter. Richard has been a kitchen fitter for 35 years, often working far from home, while I spent nearly a decade working at a specialist school. We were like ships that passed in the night, barely spending any time together at all.
When the opportunity arose for us to invest in a shared enterprise, where I could manage the admin side of the business and Richard could handle the manual side, we took the leap. We haven’t looked back since – and finally get to spend some more time together!” said Simone.
Founded in 2018, Kitchen Makeovers introduced the UK to the future of kitchen renovations. As one of the home improvement sector’s most innovative franchise brands, Kitchen Makeovers has established itself as an exciting, highly profitable opportunity through identifying and leveraging a gap in the market. This trailblazing approach, evolving with the demands of the sector, is helping franchisees provide customers with a long-awaited, modern, cost-effective and sustainable service up and down the country, breathing new life into the heart of their homes.
For the hard-working couple, their lack of prior experience in owning and running their own business meant that franchising was a no-brainer. After the pandemic, Richard worked alongside Dale Pellatt, franchisee for Kitchen Makeovers Ipswich, as a kitchen fitter, who inspired him to start his own branch.
“The support from head office is truly invaluable – it gives us so much confidence. We’ve been amazed at how well we work together! With me handling the kitchen fittings and Simone managing the admin and appointments, we’ve struck the perfect balance. Our shared goal of building a better future for ourselves and our family is what drives us every day,” added Richard.
Kitchen Makeovers attracts both first-time franchisees and seasoned entrepreneurs looking to move with the times, thanks to an impressive infrastructure designed for scalability and a revitalised approach to customer experience in the home improvement sector. Franchisees are encouraged to fully exploit the success they can achieve within their territories by building a local network of expert tradespeople.
Kitchen Makeovers’ approach of championing exceptional customer service is continuing to reap rewards in a sector that has traditionally delivered below-par customer experience. Through recurring income streams, low overheads, an impressive scope for growth and ongoing development, the opportunity for franchisees is huge.
Simone and Richard are the first franchisees to participate in Kitchen Makeovers’ revised five-day onboarding training programme. Simone said, “The training week was such a great learning experience! I got to dive into the side of kitchen fitting, which was previously unknown territory for me, while Richard gained a real insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes. We also got to know the team, which makes it so much easier to pick up the phone and speak to the right people. The best part was exploring all the products and operations – everyone was so welcoming, and no question was ever too small.”
Kitchen Makeovers has established itself as a leader in a market previously lacking a cost-effective and hassle-free solution. With over 30 franchisees and sophisticated branding, systems and operations, the company has filled a critical gap for homeowners. This commitment to customer satisfaction is reflected in nearly 1,000 glowing five-star reviews across reputable online platforms and an impressive average score of 4.9 out of 5 on Trustist. This focus on exceeding expectations is what truly sets Kitchen Makeovers apart from the competition.
“The support is always there when you need it – whether from fellow franchisees or Will, Matt and John. Every franchisee in the network has access to a shared chat where we can exchange advice and ask questions, creating a strong sense of community that has already proven invaluable for us,” explained Richard.
Simone and Richard recognise the vast potential of Kitchen Makeovers Colchester and are already experiencing benefits that wouldn’t be possible without the backing of a franchisor. Will and Matt’s continued investment and business development, along with the collaborative guidance and support from fellow franchisees, provide a solid foundation for their ongoing success.
“This has already been the best decision we’ve ever made! We have so much more time together as a family, which makes a huge difference after Richard spent so long working away from home. We can also now plan holidays outside of term time and on weekends, without having to work around anyone else’s schedule.
“We’re also seeing the financial rewards – something we didn’t expect so soon! We secured a job in our first week, have already completed two, and have even more booked in. Richard loves not having to travel as far for work anymore, and we enjoy the sense of accomplishment from completing jobs on our own, knowing the rewards are ours to reap. We’re really excited to see what’s ahead!” concluded Simone.