William Cooper Finds Success With Fit-ex
20th September 2008 - Fit-ex
William Cooper, a 39 year old franchisee of Fit-ex in Milton Keynes, had worked as a manager for a garden machine manufacturer. Now he's become a proud franchisee with Fit-ex.
Did you ever work outside the soft furnishing industry?
Yes - all my life - my last job was so far removed for curtains and blinds as you can imagine.
What attracted you to curtain fitting or selling blinds?
My wife has run her own curtain making business for five years and I wanted to work along-side her to build up a family business. When I met Fit-ex I realised how much potential there was.
What was your first job in the industry?
During my training course a local interior design shop contacted Fit-ex through their web site (fit-ex.com) and asked if there was a local fitter. I priced up the job over the phone, picked up the poles and blinds in the week after my training course and fitted them that afternoon.
How did you progress to your current job?
David was there to help me whenever I needed it, whether I wanted him to visit a customer and help me with the installation, or just answer a quick question on the phone. The support of the franchisor during these early days has been invaluable.
Describe a typical day in your job.
There really is no such thing – that’s the beauty of the job… I can pick and choose my hours, I work in different places each day and the job satisfaction is immense.
What are the high points of the job?
I delight people. Most days, I get a smile as I leave a customer…. my efforts have turned their house into a home. I meet different people. Curtain makers, Interior designers, manufacturers and suppliers, pensioners, Lords and Ladies, actors, pop singers, doctors, publicans, the list goes on and on! I work in council houses, and mansions, offices and airbases. In a nutshell, I have a new life, and a new way of life, not just a new job. Because that’s what self employment is… it’s a way of life.
And the low points?
Trying to please ALL the people ALL the time – it can be a struggle, but we’ll get there. The high points far out weigh the low points.
What’s your ultimate career ambition?
With Fit-ex, my whole life has changed. For the first time in years, I can actually see when a job has been well done. And I can see my efforts making a difference to people’s lives. That’s pretty satisfying, I want to keep smiling and build a successful family business to be proud of.
Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to get into a position like yours?
Before I did this, I was in a manufacturing industry, which just goes to show that this is a business that anyone who doesn’t mind a bit of hard work can do. You shouldn’t worry if you don’t have previous experience, because the training is what really sets you off on the right track. I always know that, although self employed, I have colleagues in Fit-ex, and more that that, they are friends.
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