Case Study - Atul Patel

Atul Patel has been an Autosmart franchisee for three years and he is already starting to reap the rewards of running his own business:

I spent 8 years working at a number of prestige car dealerships. I was good at my job, but I wanted a change and to use my skills to build something that would benefit my own family’s future, rather than a group of shareholders.

When I saw a local Autosmart franchise advertised, it got me thinking. The brand is very well respected in the industry. I realised that this could give me the chance to grow my own business in an industry that I enjoy. When I met the head office team and saw the experience and support available to help franchisees, I felt reassured that this was a safe investment.  I was even more convinced that this was a winning decision when the British Franchise Association awarded Autosmart the prestigious title of Franchisor of the Year.

I have been a franchisee for just over 3 years now and love running my own business. It’s hard work but it’s very motivating to know that you are doing it for yourself rather than a boss. Initially I was concerned about the economic climate, but Autosmart franchisees have always grown in previous recessions. Customers use our products every day and we specialise in providing cleaning systems that save customers money.

I bought a small, established customer base and I have already increased sales by over 50%. Despite the market, I am exceeding all my targets and I know that the business is going to give me a fantastic living as it expands.