Jumping into the Unknown
"I spent 15 years working as an accountant in multi nationals and was becoming increasingly disillusioned with the ever increasing workloads and the headcount slashing mentality. I had seen TaxAssist on the internet but hadn’t considered starting my own business due to being a single mum with no real assets. My cousin Jo (Exeter Franchise) joined in March 2005 and this was the catalyst which made me quit my well paid and cushy corporate life to jump blindly into the unknown!!!!
I joined the TaxAssist training course in Oct 2005. I opted to go straight into a shop front and I opened for business in Torquay on the 2nd Jan 2006. My first month was absolutely phenomenal and wouldn't have been possible without the support I received from the accountants and tax specialists that run the helpline. They are dedicated solely to helping out the franchise network, and with their help I invoiced over £6k in my first four weeks and submitted around 20 self assessments, not bad for a beginner!At the end of my fourth month I had 92 clients of which 65% were walk-ins!!!!
What initially was my biggest fear, sales & marketing has become what I enjoy the most, you can never be too pushy; If you don’t ask you don’t get and don’t forget your business cards if you’re going down the pub!
12 months on, I more that survived my second January invoicing £22K, bringing me to total cash banked in my first year of £60k, and I’m pretty sure I've turned a profit. I started my second year of trade with 199 clients and £83k of fees, my average fee is lower than some due to the number of small one man bands, however these are extremely profitable. Big fees don't mean big profit!!! In the last two days alone I have seen 8 potential new clients and this is set to continue throughout February, with my diary being booked solid two weeks in advance!!
I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. I can honestly say leaving corporate life was the best thing I ever did …and my only wish is that I’d done it sooner!"
Jackie Bligh, TaxAssist Franchisee
