Franchise veteran Mark Hennis is enjoying business success for a third time with GutterPRO
What to look for when you invest in your first franchise? It’s a regular topic for discussion, but what about your second franchise? Or even your third? What do you look for then? That was the challenge for Mark Hennis, 46, one of GutterPRO’s recent franchisees. Mark was looking for his third franchise, having already started, built and, importantly, sold on two successful businesses.
Stepping stone
Originally a director at HSBC bank while still in his 30s, Mark knew the corporate world was simply a stepping stone to business ownership.
In 2009, Mark started his first business - a pub franchise with one of the leading operators.
“A baptism of fire,” is how Mark describes it. Three successful years later, the right offer came along to “cash in”, “sell up” and “move on”.
Then came business number two. Mark was a firm believer in “specialising” and his second business, a retail franchise offering disability aids, certainly specialised.
He was one of the company’s first franchisees, but saw the business potential. Again, three successful years later, Mark felt it was the right time to move on and sell.
Prior to business number three, Mark and his partner Naomi took time out for a well earned break in America.
If there is one thing the Americans do well, it’s franchising, with many well crafted and memorable brands.
This inspired Mark to look for franchise number three. Back home, a trip to Leicester proved the catalyst.
Parking alongside a GutterPRO van, with its distinctive orange and blue livery, Mark thought the business “looks a bold and savvy brand”. At the time, he hadn’t heard of GutterPRO, but found out it was a franchise and British Franchise Association member - and “maybe business number three.”
Back then, GutterPRO had only a handful of franchisees. A little early? Maybe, but Mark liked the specialist aspect of GutterPRO and felt it was “history repeating itself” and the chance to get involved early as the brand developed nationwide.
After meeting the franchisor, previously a British Franchise Association director, and speaking at length with a local franchisee, he signed up and launched in March 2017.
A ‘fast start’ is part of the GutterPRO pledge in the form of a three month, £5000 turnover guarantee. However, Mark wasn’t resting on his laurels, almost pushing though the £10,000 level in the same period.
Fast forward to October 2017 and it’s been a good start for his new GutterPRO business. Incredibly, during September - his sixth month - Mark achieved a level of turnover from the fifth year of the projections.
No working at height
‘Safe and sound, we do it from the ground’ is the mantra of GutterPRO, which means no working at height.
GutterPRO is also brisk business. Jobs start on the day, are done on the day and are paid for on the day, which is good for cash flow, with the added bonus of steps on Mark’s Fitbit.
GutterPRO now has over 20 franchisees spurred on by the performance of Mark and other successful GutterPRO franchisees.
