FRANCHISING
WITH a gardening franchise you can earn a living from something you enjoy – all year round.
But there’s more to gardening as a business than pottering around in other people’s lawns and flowerbeds.
“Gardening depends on service, so you must enjoy talking to customers and be willing to sell to them,” says Steve Frise, a franchisee of Ed’s Garden Maintenance from Walton-on-Thames, Surrey.
Steve, 46, who preciously ran a car spares shop, invested in the franchise five years ago. He has 70 regular customers and employees two staff.
“It’s a year round business, and the weather is not a problem if you keep busy,” he says. ” In the winter we build sheds and fences.
“In my first year, I found it best to bank all my money and build up customers to avoid down time.”
“Word of mouth and regular leafletting have built up the business so much I need to work only three or four days a week. In fact, I work less and earn more than I did from my shop.”
Ed Mauleverer, managing director of ed’s, says:”anyone can start their own gardening service, but doing so with a franchise gives you the marketing and business know-how to turn it into a professional business.”
“And you can earn a lot more than you could by doing it yourself”
Investment is £10,000 plus van and equipment.
