After relocating from South Africa to the UK in 1999 and spending more than two decades in consultancy and admin roles, Greg and Claudine Fisher decided it was high time they did something for themselves.
In early 2024, they took the leap and launched Kitchen Makeovers Worcester – officially working together for the first time after 25 years of marriage. Having already shared the joy of raising their son, they are now embracing a new chapter – tackling the ups and downs of running a growing business together as a team.
With experience in sales and a shared passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces, Greg and Claudine were drawn to Kitchen Makeovers’ refresh-not-replace model. It offered the perfect balance of creativity, flexibility and proven systems – giving them the confidence to start strong without reinventing the wheel. From their very first consultation, they knew they had found the right fit.
“I’d spent years running my own consultancy business and contracting for large companies, but after our son left home, I started thinking seriously about what I wanted the next chapter of my life to look like. We initially looked into a competitor’s franchise, but the whole process felt very transactional – like we were just another number. Then we found Kitchen Makeovers, and the experience couldn’t have been more different. From the start, Matt and Will made us feel like real people – not just potential franchisees. They took the time to get to know us and genuinely cared about our goals. That personal approach really stood out and ultimately made the decision an easy one,” said Greg.
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.
One of the biggest draws for Greg and Claudine was the simplicity of the Kitchen Makeovers model. With low start-up costs and no need for a physical premises, they could launch without the burden of heavy overheads. The business also had a noticeably more down-to-earth feel compared to others they had explored – something that really appealed to their lifestyle and values.
“You don’t really grasp everything until you’re out there doing the job, but the support has been incredible from day one. The group chat is brilliant – everyone’s so willing to share advice and help each other out. We speak to Guy from the Birmingham territory all the time, and we’re constantly swapping ideas and sharing equipment. John from head office pops up to see us every few months, which is lovely – it’s nice to have that face-to-face contact. And the knowledge we get from Will, especially on the IT side, would cost a fortune if we had to source it ourselves. At the end of the day, the fees you pay are for that ongoing support – and it’s worth every penny. Plus, the supplier partnerships’ discounts have been a real bonus!” added Claudine.
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.
Greg and Claudine took the plunge into business ownership just as they were both turning 55 with a clear plan in mind – run Kitchen Makeovers Worcester for the next decade or so, then retire and sell. It is a lifestyle-focused approach that gives them purpose and flexibility now while building something valuable for the future.
“Before, I was constantly working away – it felt like a hamster wheel of leaving home and coming back. Now, we probably work similar hours, but it doesn’t feel the same because we’re doing it for ourselves. It’s definitely more enjoyable. Every day is different, and there’s a real buzz when you secure a new job. Sure, it can be challenging at times, but it’s a rewarding kind of pressure that keeps us motivated,” explained Greg.
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.
“Greg and I have pretty different work styles – he’s the one who just remembers everything, while I’m more process-driven and like to check in daily to make sure things are running smoothly. We’ve put our own systems in place as we’ve gone along, based on how we work best. Having two of us means we can bounce ideas off each other and things don’t feel rushed – especially when it comes to details like ordering and measuring,” said Claudine.
Will and Matt’s ongoing investment in each Kitchen Makeovers location, together with the collaborative support and advice from fellow franchisees, has provided Greg and Claudine with a strong foundation to build and grow their business successfully.
“Starting out can be challenging, but the key is to trust the process. I was fortunate to work alongside my brother, who ran a similar business before, so I had an idea of what to expect – though for many people it’s a fresh and exciting learning curve. Building strong, dependable connections has been invaluable for us – we have one main fitter, a couple of trusted others, plus gas engineers and plumbers in different areas. Surrounding yourself with hardworking, skilled people – people like us – really sets you up for success,” concluded Greg.