Exclusive Interview: Sid

Name: Sid Singh        

Location: Ivanhoe     

Franchise: VIP-Fencing & Home Maintenance 

Why did you go down the franchise route? And why did you choose your V.I.P. Fencing and Home Maintenance franchise?

For initial and on-going training. It provides independence of small business ownership and benefits of working in a network with other franchisees.

I love playing with tools and working outdoors. Fencing and Home Maintenance offers both plus the flexibility of working on your own terms.

What did you do before taking up a V.I.P. Fencing and Home Maintenance franchise?

I was working in a gym as a manager for 4 years. Prior to that I owned Hire-Car business for 8 years.

How did you raise the finance?

I used the equity in my Home.

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?

Training started with 2 weeks office training, which helped me a lot to learn the business side of the work. Vea and Warren provided great help understanding the marketing, sales and customer service side of the business. Office training was followed by 6 weeks on site training. Walter is a great trainer, I learnt a lot from him, he is always available over the phone.

What is a typical day for you as a V.I.P. Fencing and Home Maintenance franchisee?

Work start very early, I check my emails early morning and respond where necessary. Then I pick up material if required in the morning and head to work site. I try to start by 7-7.30 and finish about 3. I do some quotes after work if in the area or leave these for the weekend.

What challenges have you faced?

Not a lot I always try to look at the bright side. Still it was very hectic for first six months, trying to organise the work, material and finishing on time. I worked till 6 many days and weekends as well, which is hard with a young family, but with experience things started to fall my way. And I am enjoying more now.

Has becoming a VIP Fencing and Home Maintenance franchisee changed your life, if so how?

Yes, very much, my income has doubled to start with and the flexibility that I craved for years is great. I can work when I want and as many days as I like and still end up making decent money. Work-Life balance is great.

What marketing/promotional tools do you use to grow your VIP Fencing and Home Maintenance franchise?  

I let my work do the marketing for me. I do spend extra time and try to accommodate clients requirements as much as possible which makes them happy. I am getting quite many referral clients now. I do social networking site- Facebook, Instagram as well. 

What differentiates your V.I.P. Fencing and Home Maintenance franchise from the competition?  

Initial Training, which plays a big role. Quality of work and customer service is the biggest difference.

In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?  

Following the advice of the senior people in your franchise business. Sticking to the quality of work and customer service and learning from other franchisees.

What advice would you give to someone thinking of buying their first franchise?

It is a big decision; you will be very very busy and might feel its too much for you but at the end all the efforts and hard work pays off. The V.I.P. Fencing and Home Maintenance Franchise system is great from initial and on-going training and support point of view.

What are your plans for the future?

Its still early days for me but looking to have full-time worker soon and specialising in feature fencing.

Would you do it again?

For sure, so far, the best work decision I have made.