{"id":12168,"date":"2022-01-15T09:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-01-15T09:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=12168"},"modified":"2022-01-27T10:47:52","modified_gmt":"2022-01-27T10:47:52","slug":"qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/","title":{"rendered":"Q&#038;A with Mike Cruz \u2013 Optic-Kleer Franchisee since 2012"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_88 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#how-did-you-hear-about-optic-kleer\" >How did you hear about Optic-Kleer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-was-the-joining-process-like\" >What was the joining process like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#how-did-you-find-setting-up-the-company-and-what-support-did-you-get\" >How did you find setting up the company and what support did you get?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#did-optic-kleer-help-you-set-up-the-accounting-and-legal-side-of-your-business\" >Did Optic-Kleer help you set up the accounting and legal side of your business?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-was-the-training-like\" >What was the training like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-experience-do-you-think-you-need\" >What experience do you think you need?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-do-you-know-about-the-british-franchise-association\" >What do you know about the British Franchise Association?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-do-you-do-day-to-day\" >What do you do day-to-day?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#what-is-head-office-like\" >What is Head Office like?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#do-you-think-its-value-for-money\" >Do you think it\u2019s value for money?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#do-you-have-to-hold-much-stock\" >Do you have to hold much stock?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#where-do-you-get-your-business-from\" >Where do you get your business from?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#do-you-feel-satisfied-in-your-work\" >Do you feel satisfied in your work?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#how-long-have-you-been-with-optic-kleer\" >How long have you been with Optic-Kleer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/qa-with-mike-cruz-optic-kleer-franchisee-since-2012\/#are-you-excited-about-the-future-of-optic-kleer\" >Are you excited about the future of Optic-Kleer?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 3<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>Mike has been a franchisee with Optic-Kleer since 2012. He operates his franchise in Lincolnshire, in and around the areas of Boston, Spalding, Sleaford and Skegness.<\/p>\n<p>Mike has had many years of experience repairing windscreens, as previously he worked for another windscreen repair company.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-did-you-hear-about-optic-kleer\"><\/span><strong>How did you hear about Optic-Kleer?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I heard about Optic-Kleer, whilst working for another windscreen repair company. I knew David as one of my competitors. He approached me with an opportunity to start as a franchisee and I jumped at the opportunity to be with a better company.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-was-the-joining-process-like\"><\/span><strong>What was the joining process like?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I had an interview and David spoke to me about the ins and outs, the admin side and the accounting side, and we took it from there.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-did-you-find-setting-up-the-company-and-what-support-did-you-get\"><\/span><strong>How did you find setting up the company and what support did you get?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the biggest advantages with Optic-Kleer is that I got fantastic support, which I am still getting. This is totally different from the other company I worked for.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"did-optic-kleer-help-you-set-up-the-accounting-and-legal-side-of-your-business\"><\/span><strong>Did Optic-Kleer help you set up the accounting and legal side of your business?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Yes, as part of the training, I was taken through step by step from setting up my registered limited company to VAT registration.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-was-the-training-like\"><\/span><strong>What was the training like?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The training lasted 5 days. I gathered all the knowledge, not only to carry out a professional repair but also how to run a successful business with all the support I need.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-experience-do-you-think-you-need\"><\/span><strong>What experience do you think you need?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I don&#8217;t believe you really need any experience. To become a franchisee, you don&#8217;t have to already be in the trade as Optic-Kleer will give you that training. However, I think it&#8217;s useful to have good face-to-face communication skills. Motivation is also important, because you are running your own business.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-do-you-know-about-the-british-franchise-association\"><\/span><strong>What do you know about the British Franchise Association?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I think it&#8217;s good that Optic-Kleer is a member of this association. It shows quality and assurance of being with a bonafide company.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-do-you-do-day-to-day\"><\/span><strong>What do you do day-to-day?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The way I run my franchise, it is quite varied. Not only do I see customers on supermarket car parks, I work for farmers and commercial sectors. I work on fleets of lorries, which makes the business different. I also do house calls, as well as going to a fixed site. I set up all my equipment in a supermarket car park and just wait for the customers to arrive. My day is very diverse, you can have two or three customers in one go or they can be more spread out. Not everyday is the same.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"what-is-head-office-like\"><\/span><strong>What is Head Office like?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>It is a pleasant experience working for Optic-Kleer. We know that they are always on the end of phone. You can call David and he is very helpful and he always has time for you. We have a fully staffed office who are there to support us, which is a minimal cost but very beneficial.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-you-think-its-value-for-money\"><\/span><strong>Do you think it\u2019s value for money?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>With Optic-Kleer we have very low overheads, which is great when you are self-employed. The management fees are very low and the software we use to order our solutions is straightforward.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-you-have-to-hold-much-stock\"><\/span><strong>Do you have to hold much stock?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The good thing about this franchise is that the overheads are not a big expense. The stock we hold, that is, consumables, canopy and signs, is minimal.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"where-do-you-get-your-business-from\"><\/span><strong>Where do you get your business from?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The way the Optic-Kleer franchise works is, we turn up at a supermarket and set up our equipment. Having a canopy, signs and a vehicle draws in the customers. There is no cold calling or leaflet drops. There are no pressure sales, you just wait for the customer to come to you. We also have the Optic-Kleer website, which lets customers know where we are working.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"do-you-feel-satisfied-in-your-work\"><\/span><strong>Do you feel satisfied in your work?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I have worked in this field before and obviously it is important to keep customers happy. I like to be professional and treat people how I would like to be treated. You are representing Optic-Kleer as well as your own business. I feel very satisfied in my work as people are very nice and it is rewarding to be appreciated after completing a successful repair.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"how-long-have-you-been-with-optic-kleer\"><\/span><strong>How long have you been with Optic-Kleer?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>I have been with Optic-Kleer since early 2012 and it has gone very quickly. I am looking forward to the future with all the new developments coming along digitally, and I think it can only get better. After 4 years I have re-branded and bought a new van, ready for the next few years.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"are-you-excited-about-the-future-of-optic-kleer\"><\/span><strong>Are you excited about the future of Optic-Kleer?<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>What I have seen in what David and Sarah Overton have planned for the future, by developing the digital software, looks great.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Discover more about becoming an Optic-Kleer franchisee by applying today.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Mike has been a franchisee with Optic-Kleer since 2012. He operates his franchise in Lincolnshire, in and around the areas of Boston, Spalding, Sleaford and Skegness. Mike has had many years of experience repairing windscreens, as previously he worked for another windscreen repair company. How did you hear about Optic-Kleer? I heard about Optic-Kleer, whilst [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":12170,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1316,97],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-12168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-optic-kleer","category-automotive-franchises"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/MikeCruz-1086x801px.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12168","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12168"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/12168\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/12170"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12168"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=12168"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=12168"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}