Starting a business is tough. In the words of Steve Jobs, Co-founder of Apple, “If you really look closely, most overnight success took a long time.” For Kylie Crane, franchisee for the Aspray (Northampton) territory, growth came quicker than she expected.
Most businesses look to make a profit around year three, but as a franchisee this can happen much quicker. “I did make a profit in year one… I was absolutely thrilled.”
A Good Fit for Aspray
After finding herself in the job market, Kylie knew she wanted to diversify. Previously working in the project and programme management field across various industries, as well as carrying out transformational projects for the Ministry of Justice, has provided Kylie with many of the skills needed to operate as a successful franchisee.
By strategically following the Aspray business model and prioritising building relationships across her networking group and throughout her local area, Kylie has boosted her business and since taking on her first claim straight out of training, she has been constantly busy.
Focusing on Growth
Bringing in a staff member to complete administration tasks has given Kylie the ability to focus her attention on the growth of her business. “The support that [my new administrator] is providing alongside the ability to be able to go out to site and know that things are still getting done in the background, I can’t tell you how much that has helped. It’s fantastic.”
With a comfortable number of claims coming into the business, the time is right to focus on building to much bigger levels with an aim to increase turnover year on year. For kylie, the focus for year two will be centred around growth through sales and marketing.
For many, the benefits of working with a franchisor mean that growth can be achieved in a shorter timeframe compared to those that start their business from scratch. Using tried and tested models, alongside the ability to share peer to peer best practise, gives franchise partners the tools they need to achieve, and often exceed, their goals.
Advantages of Becoming a Franchisee
Having the support of head office has allowed Kylie to get the most out of her business throughout her first year. Taking on the new challenges that starting a new business brings, from operations and finance to sales and marketing is a big ask, but with Aspray, there is support for any query.
“Thank you, Aspray Head Office! You have been my rock. I wouldn’t have the confidence to do what I do without you.”
Exceptional Customer Service
To add to a great first year, Kylie was nominated for the SME Northamptonshire Business Awards 2021 in the Best Customer Service category. Customer reviews built up over the past 12 months show the impact Kylie has had on her customers.
“Kylie Crane is a most remarkable young woman. When I first contacted her over a complex dispute with an insurance company, I was at my wits end. Within a few moments of my telephoning her, I realised that I had not only found a true friend, but a person whose knowledge of every aspect of the insurance business was encyclopaedic. At every point she was reassuring and unflappable. Nothing was too much trouble, and whatever problem emerged, she had clearly encountered before and knew how to counter it effectively.” Christopher J
Going the extra mile for customers is second nature to Kylie and, for her, job satisfaction comes from seeing those 5-star reviews when she has completed a claim on behalf of a customer.
Read more of Kylie’s excellent customer reviews here.