Doncaster Case Study

Joanne and John see themselves, very much, as a Husband & Wife team, “team” being the emphasis.

Joanne was previously working in the Hotel Industry and John was a chauffeur having previously worked as a miner. With no particular carpet background and with steady secure jobs they were concerned about taking the leap to a United Carpets franchise. Says Joanne: “After I analysed it, I realised it was only the product I didn’t know about and that product can be learned. It was the drive and ambition we had which spurred us on. We sat down and worked out certain issues we would have to overcome to be happy about going forward.  We wanted to ensure we could address the following with a positive outcome”:

•    Achieve a work/family balance.

•    We wanted a better standard of living.

•    We needed strong support from United Carpets.

•    An excellent return on our investment.

•    We wanted to enjoy the experience.

Says Joanne “after 7 years in the business we both know, hand on heart, that all our initial anxieties and concerns have been met and overcome. We were given excellent operational support and even now, just one phone call is always met by first class support throughout the company. When I first started it was a very male dominated environment and I was worried I’d need to carry heavy carpets about –NOT SO! I employ staff who do this and it has never materialised as a problem. You don’t need brute strength, just people skills to overcome any problem. Every day is different and I would certainly do it all over again, it still gives me the buzz it first did.

I have recommended this to several family members; I got my brother Paul into the business and he owns and runs the Leeds - Easterly Road store while John’s sister is the franchisee for the Lincoln store. My sister has owned and run the Sheffield store since March 2007 and is doing very well indeed as are the others. It was a great decision for us and our family and we continue to reap the rewards with a real ‘winning company’”.