Flaming Good Performer Makes Full-time Income from Part Time Franchise
Blazes' Home-Based Central Heating Franchise is the perfect bolt-on business for busy Candle Maker.
Six sales in the first month of trading, a 75 percent lead-to-sale conversion ratio, part-time hours for full-time returns! The success of Blazes' most recent home-based franchise recruit reads like a promotional advertisement. But this is a success story that's already happening.
For ten years, Trevor Hatch and his wife Cheryl have been running a thriving candle manufacturing and retail business in Lancashire's scenic Ribble Valley. However, due to the seasonal nature of the business, the couple decided to look for an additional revenue stream to supplement their existing income.
Says Trevor: "In the build up to the festive season, we're flat-out distributing fragranced candles throughout the UK, and our shop is full of customers. But after New Year things quieten down a little, and there's a drop in business activity. We looked to the franchising sector for inspiration, and researched a number of British Franchise Association members to see what was out there. When I came across Blazes, its home-based central heating franchise opportunity caught my attention. What I liked about it most was its simplicity. You're selling central heating systems, but you don't need any experience in the heating sector. It's also extremely flexible, the returns are good, and you don't need to get your hands dirty."
Trevor and Cheryl bought a Blazes home-based franchise and, having given themselves a target of just one sale per week until the end of the year, were staggered to make six sales from eight leads in his first month alone.
Says Trevor: "Blazes gave us a target of zero sales in the first month. When you think about that, it's incredible what we've achieved. And we did it working just part-time. I only need to go on two appointments a week and spend no more than half-an-hour with each customer to reach targets that adequately supplement the candle business income. In addition, the training and support from the moment we started has been top-notch. We were looking for the perfect bolt-on business, and we found it."
Says Blazes Marketing Director, Stuart Law: "We brought in the home-based business to complement our fireplace showrooms, and it's been extremely successful. It's a lower financial investment that doesn't have the high overheads of a retail franchise, and it falls into a niche market in which we have a high level of expertise. Perhaps the biggest selling point – and one that certainly appealed to Trevor – is its flexibility. The business can be slotted into an existing work pattern, giving small business owners, or people already in employment, the opportunity to bring in extra money by working just a few hours.
"Trevor and Cheryl have made a fantastic start to their new business, and their sales figures have outstripped even our business plan targets, so we're delighted for them."
Chris Enjoys Record Launch Thanks to Blazes Back-up
It's all about the back-up – that's the advice of former surveyor Chris Knight who got off to a record start after buying into a Blazes Fireplace and Heating Centre franchise after a visit to the National Franchise Exhibition.
An intensive and aggressive marketing campaign provided by Blazes helped Chris launch his flagship Surrey and today sales are now well ahead of his original business plan.
"Blazes have been first rate right from the off," says Chris. "They've put a lot of time into the business model and a lot of investment into the brand. I've had regular visits from the Managing Director and Marketing Director and there's always somebody there to speak to seven days a week at whatever time of day. I feel they've taken a real interest in me because my success is their success."
Before taking on the centre, Chris carried out thorough research into potential franchises including a visit to the National Franchise Exhibition.
"With some it appeared you bought use of the brand and that was more or less it - but as a full member of the British Franchise Association, Blazes are with you every step of the way," said Chris.
"Many people think fireplace and heating sales are seasonal but thanks to their support, the summer launch was very successful and I'm incredibly optimistic about the future."
Blazes are Britain's biggest fireplace and heating specialist offering a huge range of gas, electric and solid-fuel fireplaces and central heating systems in over 30 franchised showrooms.
Founded in 1989, Blazes quickly built a reputation for offering exclusive fireplace designs at lower prices backed by the highest standards of quick, clean and fuss-free installation. In the past, fireplaces were usually thought of as a winter purchase but today they are a lifestyle statement setting the mood and look for the entire room.
Blazes is one of the few showroom-based franchises available in the UK which makes it ideal for both male and female franchisees with a retail background or couples who have strong project management skills or are business management minded. There is no need for a background in installation but strong customer service skills are essential to fit Blazes 'quality service' ethic.
From The Holme Valley to Hong Kong and Back ...
From The Holme Valley to Hong Kong and Back, Pam and Graham Bastow Pass the Baton to Jane Stuart in High Profile Resale
After more than 6 years in Asia, Blazes' new Wakefield franchisee, Jane Stuart, was given a warm welcome when she took over from retiring franchisees, Pam and Graham Bastow. Here she explains her reasons for returning, why Blazes fired up a passion for business and why she's still waiting for husband, Paul, to fly in.
"Hong Kong was fantastic, but it was only meant to be for a couple of years! My husband, Paul, works for a multi-national and was offered the chance to head up their Asian buying operation. I went along for a few years' sabbatical, leaving my job in Urban Development in the North East. Paul's contract kept getting renewed and, before we knew it, we'd been living out there for over six years. I had a number of jobs on a self employed basis and that's where I got a taste for working for myself.
When the novelty of life in Hong Kong wore off, Yorkshire started to look very attractive again and we had kept our home here in "Summer Wine" country. The Blazes showroom came up for sale and that's when our thoughts about taking on a franchise were crystallised. We knew the business was well established and we had been familiar with the showroom before we left the UK.
When we first decided to come home, we were pretty open-minded about what we wanted to do. We knew we wanted to work for ourselves, and we definitely wanted to come back to this area. We understood the benefits of taking on a franchise, and the fireplace and heating sector interested us, even though we had no experience whatsoever. I was heading back to the UK on a fact finding trip when we heard about the Blazes re-sale, so I decided to look at the business in more detail. Pam and her husband, Graham, were very open and informative about the business, and all the franchise systems meant key information was readily to hand. They showed me all their financials and, when I met the Head Office team in Burnley, the decision was made. Their experience in the heating sector and in franchising, plus their supportive approach, has given us all the reassurance we needed.
The first few months have been a bit of a blur. I didn't get started until April this year, only three weeks after moving back permanently. Paul is still in Hong Kong and will be coming back at the end of the year - but I couldn't wait to get started. Owning a business is totally different to anything I've done before, mainly because it is necessary to keep all the plates spinning - from sales, through accounts, to cleaning! I've been lucky to inherit a customer base that goes back several years, as well as some very experienced fitters, and I've recruited a colleague who has a lengthy business track record to help me put solid foundations in place at the start.
Blazes' franchise induction process, their input, and the encouragement of the head office team have been invaluable. Opportunities in our sector are continuing to develop, despite the economic downturn, and we now sell central heating as this has become a growth area for Blazes. Due to the current state of the housing market, there's been an upturn in home improvement and the brand is doing much better than last year.
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