Rakesh Joshi invested in the Card Connection’s Northampton territory back in August 2017 after some detailed research. “I was actually looking at a franchise at one of Card Connection’s direct competitors, but having met the team at Farnham and looking more closely at the company’s product range, I realised I quickly needed to switched allegiance,” said Rakesh. “The breadth and quality of the designs, plus the very professional nature of business set-up were what really clinched it, for me.”
Rakesh, known by his customers simply as ‘Josh’, reflected on the first year of his franchise. “The biggest problem was that the previous franchisee had held the area for 25 years, and most of the knowledge was safely locked in her head! Josh explained, “So getting my own routines, procedures and logistics in place took a while, especially as I jumped in at the deep end by taking on the area at the busiest possible time of the year – having to put out all of Christmas closely followed by the Spring Seasons!”
“Fortunately my Regional Sales Manager was an enormous help,” said Josh. “If I had a query he’d get back to me usually within the hour and in the early months I felt like I had almost 24 hour support!”
“I knew it was big change for the customers and that maintaining their trust as new face of Card Connection was crucial. I deliberately took the time to have proper conversation with them. Asking simple questions, like, “What do you think sells?” then really listening to them.”
Josh’s strategy in the first year was to really get to know his product, his customers and his area. “I made sure I offered price points for everyone, from budget cards up to the most expensive handmade designs, but all in all offering a happy medium. The size of the core range, plus the new Collection range allowed me to keep things really fresh for customers by changing the designs at every second visit.”
Asked what he enjoyed most about his franchise, Josh had no hesitation: “Being my own boss, making my own decisions and having the freedom and flexibility to chop and change my itinerary when I want to, or need to!”
With a whole year’s merchandising cycle now under his belt, Josh feels confident to begin exploring stretching his product offering, to really expand the sales potential of his area.
Card Connection is part of UK Greetings, which is a subsidiary of American Greetings Inc., one of the largest greeting card publishers in the world and has limited vacancies for franchisees that are keen to run an expanding business. Since the franchise network in the UK is complete, the available opportunities now consist of acquiring an already-established territory from an existing franchisee. These vary in price according to their level of development, but start at £35k + Stock + Card Connection fee with earnings potential in excess of £50k per annum.
Recent News
Archives
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
Categories