Facing a fresh challenge with Auditel franchise

Laurence Fitch & Ruth Dawe

Name Laurence Fitch & Ruth Dawe

Location St Albans, Hertfordshire

Why I chose franchising

Both Ruth and I knew that we wanted to run our own business but could not decide what we wanted to do. Franchising gave us an option to look at different established business models and decide which model suited us best.

We felt that franchising gave us the ideal balance of having our own business with the support of an established organisation.

I came across Auditel at Olympia Franchise Exhibition in April 2008 and was immediately impressed with their business model and how well it suited the current economic climate.

What I did before taking up a franchise

Before Auditel I was the general manager of a family business importing and distributing ceramic tiles throughout the South East but left in early 2008 as the economic climate reduced opportunities for the business.

Ruth had spent the last 10 years working for an international investment bank in the city where she ended up as Director of UK Tax. Ruth had the opportunity to take redundancy from the bank in August 2008.

We were both looking for a fresh challenge and, having spent several months researching Auditel, joined the Auditel network of consultants in September 2008.

How I raised the finance

We were fortunate to have funds available from both Ruth’s redundancy payment and our savings to cover our initial investment.

The training and support I receive from my franchisor

The training we have received has been outstanding and quickly allowed us to develop our skills so we could push our business forward. The benefits I have received from having the support of our mentors and the Auditel network of over 130 consultants available to me has been outstanding – even the most obscure problem I have faced has quickly been explained by somebody in the network who has experienced something similar.

The challenges I have faced

The biggest challenges we have faced are those all new businesses face – establishing a client base, establishing good work practices, building the knowledge we require. It has been hard work but by applying the lessons we have learnt in our training we have always reached the point we want to get to.

My advice to someone thinking of buying their first franchise

Speak to as many people as possible and research, research, research ! To be successful you need to have a high degree of personal motivation and drive. If it you get it right you will have made the best career / life choice ever.

Progress in the marketplace so far

After 7 months we have a fast establishing client base and are ahead of where we hoped to be at this stage. We are becoming established within the marketplace, developing community awareness of Auditel through our networking and already have satisfied clients offering referrals to their contacts.

My plans for the future

We aim to take advantage of all the further training opportunities Auditel have presented to us to ensure our knowledge base is the best it possibly can be. We want to continue to grow the business and develop long-term trusted relationships with our clients. We have even discussed taking on a part-time member of staff to help with our admin and accounting.

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