The Christmas Decorators

Meet Shobna – Chelsea Franchisee

Shobhna is a Great British Franchisee Winner of 2022.

She swapped her tailored suits and heels for hi-vis vests and steel toe caps.

What did you do before joining the Christmas Decorators?

I operated a luxury diamond wholesale company. My company was a supplier to the Company of Master Jewellers which was by invitation only.  We supplied to very high-end jewellers around the UK, like Goldsmiths etc. This closed due to the 2008 economic crash.

What made you choose The Christmas Decorators Franchise?

I moved to London in 2014 hoping to set up my jewellery company again in Hatton Gardens. Whilst I was waiting for the right time in the market, I wanted to pass my time and saw the ideal opportunity in The Christmas Decorators franchise, believing it to be a seasonal business which I could do in the winter months. I was swept off my feet by the success I experienced and never returned to the jewellery trade.

How useful did you find the initial training?

The initial training is very useful, especially if you are not from a creative background. In the creative workshops, we are taught how to put colours together, which floral picks can be grouped together to create designer trees and garlands, and amazing Christmas displays. There is also technical training in which we learn about fixing methods, the correct tools, and fixings for the type of work lighting, erecting giant trees etc. Throughout the year we are offered ongoing training in a number of areas relating to our work.

What kind of support have you received from the head office team?

Whenever I have required support with my installs, I will contact the head office team who have been outstanding in giving the correct technical advice and support. The head office team have supported me during site visits and client meetings, sharing their immense knowledge and any time spent with the team is priceless, you come away learning so much.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the business?

Being part of the franchise is key to my success. It’s the springboard you require when setting up a new business, I enjoy being part of the brand, and the team. The same way that Ronaldo is a great football player, but without his teammates, he would not have been able to score all those goals and experience the success he is now enjoying. Similarly, without the team at head office, I would not be as successful as I am. Each individual member at head office has some experience that they can share with us for our business to grow successfully.

I also enjoy being part of the brand. The strength and might of our brand name gives us an advantage over other companies when tendering for new business. It’s now a national and respected company and one that customers trust to do business with.

What advice would you have for anyone thinking of taking on a territory?

I would advise them to prepare and organise themselves well before the Christmas trade begins. Have plenty of stock and a variety of decorations. It is essential to have a good staff team as they are the face of your company. They should be trained to do all the jobs correctly so they feel confident when out on installs and be trained to deliver good customer service so that the customers come back every year.

What future do you envision for your business?

My business has been growing every year since I purchased the franchise. I have set myself high goals and I am confident of reaching them. I thoroughly enjoy the work we do, I love the work/life balance it affords, and the financial freedom I get from running a successful and thriving company.

Jamie & Chris – North Cheshire & Wilmslow

What did you do before you were a Christmas Decorator?

We were from very different career paths, one an accountant and the other an electrician! While both fields are very different, we found common ground in our desire to run a creative, client-focused business.

Our combined experience in managing finances and handling technical work gave us a solid foundation to transition into the world of Christmas decorating.

What attracted you to the Christmas Decorators Franchise opportunity?

We were already familiar with The Christmas Decorators business and were excited by what the franchise opportunity offered compared to more traditional businesses. It was a refreshing change from the norm, combining creativity, flexibility, and a chance to build a business around

something as joyful as Christmas. We saw it as an opportunity to create a unique experience for clients while being part of an innovative, growing brand.

What has been your proudest moment as a Christmas Decorator?

It’s hard to choose just one! There have been so many moments when, after working long hours on a project, we step back and look at the finished display and think, “We did that.” There’s a deep sense of satisfaction in knowing that we helped create something so beautiful and seeing our clients’ reactions makes it all worth it.

Can you name one challenge that you had to overcome as a Christmas Decorator?

One of the biggest challenges has been managing multiple tasks at once—essentially spinning so many plates! But with time, we’ve learned to thrive in organised chaos. It’s all part of the excitement, and now we embrace the busy nature of the job. Each challenge just makes the end result that much more rewarding.

What’s your ambition for your franchise?

Our goal is to reach £1 million in turnover by our fifth year. We’re focused on growing the business, expanding our client base, and delivering even more spectacular Christmas displays year after year. Achieving this milestone will be a testament to our hard work, dedication, and the strength of the Christmas Decorators brand.

Meet Pia – North London Franchisee

Pia is one of our newest franchisees and has made a successful start.

What did you do before joining the Christmas Decorators?

I was working for the City of London Corporation at the Guildhall working as an event coordinator for less than a year, prior to that I had just come out of university, studying International Business.

What made you choose The Christmas Decorators Franchise?

As both a creative and business-minded individual, The Christmas Decorators seemed to be a perfect fit. The attraction of earning enough money between September and January and then using the rest of the year to grow the business for the following year interested me. I had the backing and support from my father and other family members, knowing I had a strong network around to help me finalise my decision. Although I am the youngest franchisee, this decision to come on board at a young age gives me a great platform for my future. I am learning to work for myself, be the key decision-maker for my own business and delegate tasks. I am also in control of my own time and can make decisions that will benefit the growth of my business

How useful did you find the initial training?

It was great for me to put my International Business knowledge from university into practice for my very own business. You are not able to learn everything in a short amount of time before the season begins during training, but franchisees and head office are there to support you whenever you need. You’ll find that you learn a lot of practicalities on site yourself.

What kind of support have you received from the head office team?

Although everybody is super busy throughout the installation season, I was never let down with support from head office. Whether it was a technical question about how many sets of lights can be connected, stock & delivery queries, finance & invoicing questions or design & creativity ideas, each person at head office was there to support within their field.

What do you enjoy most about being part of the business?

I enjoy building relationships with my clients and seeing their happy faces once the installation has been completed. Christmas is a delightful time for all and it’s so thrilling knowing that you’ve made their holiday even better! I also love the creative side, being able to pull some unique and lovely ideas together for my clients. Being part of the franchisee network is wonderful too as there are many ages and walks of life, it is great to have a large common interest that is unique to us.

What advice would you have for anyone thinking of taking on a territory?

Ensure that you have a network around you to support you during the season e.g. hands to make garlands. Organisation is a key skill to have as well as great customer service and people skills. This is a very unique franchise which is joyful yet demanding, enjoy each season as much as you can and it is great to know that there is always an end date – 25th December! There is endless growth and potential within each territory, you’ll build a great passion for Christmas and for expanding your business as much as you can!

Kathie – Wirral & Chester Franchise

What did you do before you were a Christmas Decorator?

Before joining The Christmas Decorators, I worked in educational recruitment. Although it was rewarding in its own way, I wanted a new challenge that offered more creativity and a direct impact on people’s lives during the most magical time of year.

The transition to Christmas decorating allowed me to channel my skills in organisation and creativity-building something I truly love.

What attracted you to the Christmas Decorators Franchise opportunity?

The franchise opportunity stood out to me because it offered the perfect blend of entrepreneurial freedom and support from an established brand. I loved the idea of being my own boss and shaping my own future, all while indulging my passion for Christmas.

What’s your ambition for your franchise?

My ultimate goal is to grow my franchise into a thriving business that I can eventually step back from and let a team of managers run. The dream is to build something sustainable, where I can enjoy the fruits of my hard work and retire knowing my business is in good hands.