Picturing the future with a franchise

Time for a change

Staffordshire-based Matthew Preston had been considering a career change for some time. By October 2017 he was clear that he no longer enjoyed – nor wanted to continue in – the field of work he’d pursued for nearly 28 years.

“It was actually quite easy knowing what I didn’t want to do, but it was more difficult deciding what I did want to do instead,” Matthew remarks.

“Photography has always been a hobby of mine; I’ve always enjoyed it. But, to be honest, I’d never seriously contemplated making a career out of it – that is, until I realised I really had to make a break from my previous work.”

Why franchising?

Matthew was quite clear that a franchise would enable him to take his passion for photography from a hobby to a business that would earn him a living. He comments:

“Quite simply, franchising was a way of de-risking the whole process. The idea of opening an independent studio under my own, unknown name, waiting for the phone to ring and the door to knock with new customers seemed, frankly, daunting.”

“For me a franchise was a very sensible option which would allow me to make a living doing what I enjoy, and place quite a sophisticated infrastructure behind me.”

“I recognised that a franchise would bring customers through the door much more quickly. I would be able to hit the ground running in a way that just would not be possible if I went it alone.”

Why Barrett & Coe?

Matthew was on the mailing list for Birmingham’s NEC and, with perfect timing, he received a notification that The National Franchise Exhibition was coming up. Searching through the exhibiting brands, Matthew spotted photography specialists Barrett & Coe.

Researching the brand further, Matthew decided to attend the event to meet them. He spent time at the Barrett & Coe stand getting to know the team and having many of his questions answered.

Next steps

After registering his interest officially at the event, Matthew benefited from two one-to-one consultations with Elaine Sheppard, the company’s managing director.

A key part of the due diligence process, Matthew was also then able to spend a day with various Barrett & Coe franchisees at their studios. Matthew describes these key interactions:

“I was unaccompanied on these visits, there was no one else from Barrett & Coe present other than the franchisees, so discussions were open, honest and unfettered. I got the true picture and was able to assess whether the messages I was getting were consistent. They were, and people were particularly positive about the support they were getting from head office.”

Discussions continued, with Matthew leaving his old job at the turn of 2018.

“Barrett & Coe really give you a fair opportunity to assess the business before you have to make any big decisions and they ask for any commitment,” Matthew states. “I felt as confident and excited as I could be that this was the right next step for me.”

Training & Support

Barrett & Coe provide a comprehensive and effective support and development programme covering all aspects of running a photography business.

“I’d been a hobby photographer forever, but I’d never worked in a studio,” comments Matthew. “I knew my way around a camera, but every two weeks from February to April I went for dedicated training in a studio environment, so that I could understand the ins and outs of running an efficient and successful photography studio myself.” At the company’s head office in Norwich, Matthew received training on the Barrett & Coe business system. He learned how to attract work, manage leads and follow up with customers. He says:

“You are very much encouraged to be yourself and to manage interactions in your own style, but Barrett & Coe provide a clear framework for how to engage with prospects and clients.”

“It’s a sensible structure designed to maximise your success and the training process for both the photography and business side of things really sets you up well.”

Opening up for business

Matthew took possession of his studio just outside of Lichfield on 1 April 2018. As he set it up using the knowledge he’d acquired in training, he enjoyed running some practice sessions for family and friends.

Doors opened at the start of May and Matthew was able to take things at his own pace, allowing himself a quieter first week with just a couple of appointments before ramping things up by week three.

“I remember clearly the first customer I had walk through the door. I did not feel anxious at all as I was so familiar with the process,” he comments. “I was very busy within a short space of time.”

Life as a franchisee

Matthew continues to enjoy the ongoing support of head office and the network of fellow Barrett & Coe franchisees. From monthly get-togethers, regular training sessions with external photographers to “keep things fresh,” and online groups to compare stories and solve issues, Matthew feels “like my own boss, but I’m not alone.”

Reflecting on what 18 months of being in business for himself has meant to Matthew and his family, he reflects:

“It’s very difficult to put into words the scale of change, but a couple of clear examples spring to mind. In my previous career I was spending two to three hours a day commuting to and from work. I was on call twenty-four hours a day seven days a week. The hours around the Christmas period every year were especially demanding.”

“My studio is now seven minutes away from my house and, though I put in the hours, even working Saturdays, I’m actually doing something I enjoy – it just doesn’t feel like work!”

“This might sound like a bit of a cliché, but it’s been the best year and half of my working life – and I’ve been working since 1991!”

“I’m very, very happy. I get to meet lots of nice people and my wife and teenage sons have seen a difference as I go off to work each day to do something I enjoy. I really can’t over-state the difference this has made in that respect; it’s fabulous.”

“With a franchise you get all the benefits of being your own boss and are able to set the business up pretty much to suit yourself, but actually you are not alone, and you have a system and infrastructure behind you.”

“Doing something I love and making a living out of it is, frankly, something I never thought I would be able to do, but a franchise with Barrett & Coe has made it happen.” If you would like to explore how a franchise could help you pursue your own business doing something you love, come to any of The Franchise Exhibitions to be held across the UK in 2020.