Case Study - Mike and Eileen Smith

Eileen and I came into Furniture Medic rather abruptly, as both of us were made redundant from our separate jobs within two weeks, purely by co-incidence. I was working as an account manager for a firm that dealt with the leasing, recall and refurbishing of cars and vans, and Eileen worked 40 miles away, for a firm that supplied car body panels to the motor trade.

I had been an amateur woodworker for most of my adult life, and had seen the adverts for Furniture Medic in various woodworking magazines. The business sounded interesting, and I was tempted, but Eileen, always the practical one had said 'why give up a perfectly good job with a pension, for the unknown?' Nonetheless, we agreed to attend ServiceMaster House, to find out more.

However, we didn't need to make an excuse not to be at work, as I was made redundant just two days before our interview date. We attended ServiceMaster, and had an interesting session we then came home to think about it further, feeling exited and very positive. We rang another Furniture Medic business in Leeds, and despite what he told us, decided to go ahead...

There then followed a period of frantic activity, there was a training course in a few weeks, but no other after that one for some months. We insulated the garage, clad it with tongue and groove boards, fitted it out with workbenches, lights and power sockets, put in a false ceiling to keep the heat in, and made new timber double doors to replace the plastic up and over one, and then went on the Academy. After an absolutely exhausting two weeks, we returned as qualified Furniture Medics, and eagerly awaited our business-set-up visit.

We were soon trading, and off on our first job, from ServiceMaster Direct. Business was a little slower picking up than we had hoped for. Just after our first Christmas as Medics, we had no work to do, no jobs in the pipeline, and no money due. So we started some work at home, extending the kitchen. A week later we were busy again, and now, six years on, we still have not found enough time to complete the kitchen extension...

The business started with me in it full time, but Eileen did another job to ensure we had some money coming in. After a year or thereabouts, Eileen had to give up her job, and join in full time, as we were so busy. Now, six years on, we are based in a 2,500 square foot industrial unit, and employ one full time and one part time member of staff, (our son and daughter), and in addition use a qualified upholsterer on a sub-contract basis 4 or 5 days a week. Our turnover is in excess of £125,000.00, largely due to the work that ServiceMaster has gained for us, though we do have a steady income from privately found work as well.

We have undertaken a huge variety of jobs, from emergency call 'My Mum and Dad are on holiday, and we have burnt the table, can you fix it before they get back?' - We did! to 'We have had a party while my Mum and Dad were on holiday, had a fire and burnt an antique display cabinet, can you fix it before they get back?' - We didn't... but we did fix it afterwards! We have done jobs from as simple as plugging in the electric connection for a recliner chair that would not work, to exporting fabric to South Africa for a customer having an ocean-going yacht built there.

Someone said to me once, 'It must be great being self-employed, you only work half days, don't you?' Yes; a minimum of 12 hours a day, 7 days a week!!! You MUST have this level of commitment if you want your business to succeed. There are no half measures - it is not a quick road to riches, but it is an interesting, varied, and satisfying career, with rewards for those who are prepared to invest the time and effort.