Hear from our Franchisees

Moving into business ownership after five years as Centre Manager we caught up with Matt, “For me, franchising with Signs Express represents the ability to access a team of experts who provide invaluable support in operations, finance, marketing and beyond. I've not only received professional guidance but also achieved lifelong dreams, such as becoming an official partner of my childhood football team, Preston North End FC. With backing from our Franchise Support Centre (FSC), we've garnered industry recognition, accessed preferential pricing, and benefited from comprehensive training programmes, enabling us to prioritise production and profitability over administrative duties.”

After eight years of working at Signs Express, Lee took the plunge and moved into business ownership and hasn’t looked back since. “I started with Signs Express in 2012 and found it a great company to work for, everything was so professional, from health and safety to full uniform, which stood us out from the other sign companies in the area. The backing and help from the FSC was fantastic, if you had any issues they were on hand to either help you or point you in the right direction to get help. With us being part of a franchise you had help from all the other franchisees, so there wasn’t anything you couldn’t work out or get help with, because of the experience that was available to you.

I purchased the company in 2020 as a Management Buyout and have never looked back. As a franchisee you have so much backing from the FSC which helps you get through the starting-up process as a business owner, it is like a big family, help is always available whether you use the FSC or fellow franchisees there is always someone on hand to help as much as they can. I don’t have any regrets signing up to be a franchisee with Signs Express.”

Talking us through his role as a franchisee and what ‘a day in the life of Signs Express’ looks like, we hear from Richard, “Whilst I’m not as hands-on in terms of sign making anymore, each day remains wonderfully varied. My day starts off with opening up the centre, getting everything turned on and ready for the day, a quick team meeting to discuss the priorities and jobs for the day ahead. After this it can be anything from emails, quoting, supporting large jobs with access requirements, mentoring the team, going out to see customers for surveys to specify and sell to them, weeding (not the green fingered kind), budgeting and plenty of graphic design work, which I really enjoy.

Nearly 25 years in, and I still love the industry and business. For a creative person who loves building relationships and meeting new people, being able to combine the two is ideal for me.  Understanding our customers visions and bringing them to life gives me a huge buzz and seeing the work our team has produced in and around the city, gives me an enormous sense of pride.

In terms of my work life balance these days, I work Monday to Friday and I get to spend time with my wife and eldest son who both now work in the business. I’m home by 8pm which may sound late to some, but I only stay because I love what I do and not because I have to. It also means I have plenty of quality time with my wife and children at the weekends.”

To read Richard’s full story and hear how he became a Signs Express franchisee, click here to read the full article.