When Mark joined us, he was on a mission to get back to being his own boss and create a rewarding new career where he was firmly in the driving seat. We last spoke to him a year ago just after he had finished his training and completed his first paid job. You can read more about why he joined Access4Lofts in that original case study here: When working for someone else just doesn’t cut it anymore…
Like all new partners in the Access4Lofts franchise, Mark left training with a number of pre-qualified leads put together by our marketing team ahead of his launch. With this solid head start, and his determination and commitment, we were all confident that Mark would do well. However, one year on, he has not only fulfilled his potential, but absolutely smashed through all his targets to become one of our most successful franchisees.
So, just how busy is Mark these days?
“I’m absolutely stacked out with jobs!” he told us. “My next availability for work is not for another 2 months at the earliest. I’ve got paid jobs booked every day until then, and I’ve got no time for anything. I am just about managing to squeeze in a couple of visits for quotes every day, but that’s it!”
Like any new business venture, success wasn’t immediate, of course. We gave Mark the best possible start we could, but it does always take a little time to build up a reputation and get word out about a new service. In Mark’s case, however, this proved to only take a few months.
“Things really turned around suddenly just after Christmas. I had work booked about 4 weeks ahead for most of the year so far, which was brilliant, but that began to tail off a bit as the holidays got closer. However, when I got back from my own two week break, it just went bananas and I’ve been working back to back appointments and jobs ever since.“
It is amazing to think now that Mark almost didn’t join us! The middle of 2022 was not a great time for anyone with the cost of living crisis in full swing just a few months after the pandemic ended. Mark was very understandably nervous about leaving his current job and investing a lump sum in a new venture. Even with a proven business model like ours, which has already brought success to dozens of franchisees, we appreciate making the move to a new career is a major leap of faith. However, it sure has paid off big time for Mark!
“I had such an easy job before, with a guaranteed income, so leaving that was scary. That’s one of the biggest reasons I chose to join a franchise. I could have that knowledge base and established reputation behind me from day one. It’s incredible really. This last month (August 2023) has been my best month ever. My turnover this last few weeks has been more than I earnt in an entire year in my last job! Of course, that’s turnover, not profits, but it’s still a major milestone. I showed my wife, and she said “wow!”. It’s nuts – this really is the best thing I have ever done.”
Even for an Access4Lofts franchise, this is a major achievement in just 12 months. Mark has accomplished what most new businesses struggle to do in 3 or 4 years of trading. So, now he’s fulfilled his goal of being self-employed and making great money doing it, where does he go from here? Does Mark have any plans to expand in the future?
“If we’d had this conversation even just a month or two ago, I would have said I was happy as I am, but it’s getting to point where I can’t keep up with the work that’s coming in. It’s brilliant to have the peace of mind of knowing I am booked up for 2 months in advance, but I’m worried I’m losing jobs simply because I can’t get out there quick enough to take them on! My plan is to get an advert out soon and take on another member of staff in their own van.
“One day, I would love to also take on my neighbouring territory! That’s probably still a long way off, but now I know the work is definitely out there, I can start making these kinds of plans for the future.”
Is it time you set your own plans in motion for the future? An Access4Lofts franchise could be just the platform you need to build a rewarding new career. Contact us today for more information.