Take the example of Louise, The Christmas Decorators Birmingham franchisee
Four years ago, Louise had a very demanding and stressful events management job at Birmingham University. Louise had reached a point where she was looking for a career change where she could run her own business but more importantly provide the work/lifestyle balance she was looking for.
It helps to be passionate about Christmas and that passion is something Louise had always had. Until she did some research Louise hadn’t realised there was a Franchise opportunity available which allowed her to use her existing skills whilst doing something she loved, turning her passion into a business.
We met Louise in early 2014 and shortly after she visited our showroom and head office in Liverpool to attend a discovery day, which opened her eyes to the potential and possibilities. In May 2014 Louise signed her agreement and became the franchisee for Birmingham.
From the beginning, Louise had a clear understanding of the business model and followed the systems. Combined with her own efforts and hard work Louise now has a successful and profitable business.
Louise works incredibly hard with long hours during the main Christmas season but between February – September every year she has successfully built her business working around 12-15 hours per week. Her success has attracted a number of well-established blue-chip companies such as No 1 Snow Hill, No 2 Snow Hill, The Library of Birmingham, Birmingham International Airport and for the last 2 years Louise has been involved in decorating the world famous retail store, Harrods in London and is already working with them for 2018.
Louise has grown her business steadily year on year and by Christmas 2017 her turnover was well into 6 figures, quadrupling her achievements from her first year. She now enjoys a healthy income and a great lifestyle giving her time to enjoy with family and friends, take up new hobbies such as joining a rowing club in the last 12 months, and time to travel on enjoyable holidays, whilst running her business in a leisurely and relaxed pace for 8 months of the year.
This year Louise was a well-deserved finalist in the BFA Franchise of the Year Awards in the Lifestyle Franchisee of the Year category. Louise has already decided that she plans to continue to grow the business and wants to sign a new agreement in early 2019 for a further 5 years because it has changed her life for the better and she is loving it.
