In the fast-changing world of business, only those who adapt tend to survive. So at Card Connection’s Annual Conference in May this year, Managing Director Michael Johnson and Creative Director Kelly Courtenay were delighted to recognise some franchisees that have seen more than their fair share of change.

“Back in 1994 Friends had just only just started on TV, a young Tom Hanks won his Oscar for Forrest Gump and Tim and Lynn Cole purchased our Southampton Territory,” said Managing Director Michael Johnson. “In those days, we were very much a paper-based business, so fax machines were still a vital business tool for processing orders!”

Fast forward 5 years and Card Connection saw another trio of new franchisee come on-board. “Clive Jones bought the Bristol area, Helen Johnson invested in Nottingham West, and Joseph Sweeney snapped up in the West of Ireland Territory,” continues Johnson. “To put that into context, 20 years ago when we welcomed these faces to our network, worldwide internet use had just hit the giddy heights of 17% but some of our franchisees were still getting to grips with the first computers!”

Creative Director, Kelly Courtenay sums up the achievements of these Card Connection stalwarts: “We’re proud to celebrate all these long-standing business partners and the strides they’ve made with their individual territories through a period of amazing change, both in the world at large and within the greeting card market we all know and love”