Royal Navy Diver To Business Driver

Nigel Luke found his window of opportunity with the Shuttercraft franchise

When Nigel Luke left school, he spent just under 11 years in the Royal Navy working within warfare operations and then as a diver.

He then spent around three years working within IT recruitment, which led him into the project management environment, where he spent 12 years working as a project manager for a number of organisations.

Immediately before taking up his Shuttercraft franchise, Nigel was working at Trapeze UK, a software systems integrator within the transport sector.

Maximising potential

When Nigel decided he wanted to step away from his employed position and own a part of something for himself, he looked for something where he felt he could maximise his own potential and enjoy being his own boss around his young family.

Franchising seemed like the best option as it minimises some of the risk element of starting out on your own, as you become part of an established organisation and brand with proven processes and procedures.

“I embarked on my search and researched the area thoroughly,” Nigel says. “I registered with multiple organisations that are associated to the British Franchise Association. I talked with a variety of franchisors until I was comfortable enough to take the next step.”

That ‘next step’ was Shuttercraft UK, based near Winchester. The close proximity to him allowed Nigel to easily meet up with the senior management, find out how the teams work and fully understand the franchise operation.

“I started to look at it as a viable option,” he says. “I wanted to do something for myself within a trusted and established national brand, yet being delivered by local independent business owners.

“The company has a key relationship with one of the world’s top manufacturers and trades under the S:CRAFT brand.

“They utilise their extensive market knowledge, so that franchisees are provided with the highest levels of support, including an ongoing marketing programme.”

What made Shuttercraft so appealing? Nigel explains: “I felt comfortable at the outset, from the initial conversations I had with Sean Goldsmith, their Franchise Manager, and the rest of the senior management team.

“I believe the shutter market has huge potential and is still very much in its infancy within the UK, so there’s plenty of room for growth.”

Training and support

When asked about the training and support aspect of the Shuttercraft franchise, Nigel has nothing but good things to say: “To date, this has been really good. I appreciate I have a lot to learn as my background is from outside of this sector, but Shuttercraft are well organised and the much needed support is there for me to utilise as and when I need to.”

Nigel adds: “Starting any new business is a huge challenge. I’m still establishing all the relevant elements of the business, but the right support is always available, so I’m dipping into it on a weekly basis.

“I raised the finances via my own personal savings and a bank loan, but I’ve also secured an overdraft facility with NatWest to ensure a healthy and positive cash flow.”

Asked if he has experienced any ‘highs’ with his new venture yet, Nigel smiles and says: “Just seeing all the elements starting to come together, from the initial set up to where I am now, has been incredible.

“We still have a way to go, but the initial signs are good, plus I’ve already hit my half-year sales forecast within four months.”

Future plans

What are Nigel’s future plans at this early stage? “I want a solid first year, which I can already see exceed the forecasted projections,” he says.

“Then if all goes well, I would like to expand on what’s been initially achieved and drive my part of this business forward.”

Nigel’s territory extends from in and around Winchester to the surrounding New Forest area, touching on Wiltshire and Dorset. He has an ambitious growth strategy and is already looking at his next territory.

Nigel works closely with the company’s surveyor and fitter, supported by the back room teams when it comes to those crucial elements that underpin his business.

“My job is to make people aware, so they can come to their own decision, but be inspired by what is available for every room in the house,” he says.

“A site survey is key to understanding what options would work best for frames, fixings and configurations. We offer a friendly, effective service in a non-pressurised sales environment - it’s a good business model.”

Nigel may have closed the curtains on his former career, but his new business is proving an enlightened choice.

Highly profitable

Shuttercraft is one of the UK’s leading window shutters franchise companies, offering highly profitable franchise opportunities in selected parts of the UK.

In 2016 Shuttercraft relaunched the franchise and made a considerable financial investment into rebranding the business, implementing ‘next generation’ IT systems and investing in key staff to take them to the next level.

S:CRAFT made this investment to keep Shuttercraft at the forefront of the rapidly expanding shutter market. It effectively ‘future-proofed’ the Shuttercraft expansion.

As a Shuttercraft franchisee, you will not be fitting shutters. Your role is to effectively manage the business on a day to day basis, managing one to two fitters and focusing on developing relationships in your local area.

Ideally, you will already have some management and sales experience. However, Shuttercraft does offer full training and support to help franchisees develop their sales and marketing skills.

Good communication and interpersonal skills are essential and franchisees must be prepared to work hard, follow the Shuttercraft system and be committed to getting the business off the ground in their assigned exclusive territory.

You will benefit by having the ongoing support of an industry leading brand and a highly effective head office support team, which includes:

• Specialist multi-level franchise support.
• Outstanding marketing and sales training.
• A dynamic logistics and customer service team.

Shutters are the fastest growing window coverings segment in the UK. In the US one in every six windows is covered with a shutter, while in the UK it’s estimated the plantation shutter market is now worth approximately £60-£80 million per annum.