“Once people know I’m there and available, there is plenty of work out there”

After retiring from 31 years in the police force, Simon Dovaston talks about becoming Newcastle's Access4Lofts franchisee

Starting a new business is never easy, even if you have decades of experience behind you. During uncertain times, you need to give yourself the best possible chance of success, which is where the Access4Lofts franchise comes in.

After serving in the police force for 31 years, Simon Dovaston decided to take a leap of faith and join Access4Lofts’ network as the new Newcastle franchisee.

While many franchisees have little or no experience in the trade before joining the brand, Simon actually worked in loft insulation prior to his role with the police. So becoming part of the Access4Lofts family was not only an opportunity to enjoy a new business where he was his own boss but also a chance to dust off all the skills he had learnt as a young man.

“I was looking at franchises as a way to open a business, and when I saw Access4Lofts it just popped – it stood out for me way and above anything else I was looking at,” Simon explained. “Once I had a conversation with them, I could see how professional they were and knew I wanted to be a part of it.”

If you’re ready to take the leap into self-employment and are looking for a business opportunity designed around your success, you can learn more about Access4Lofts here.

Profiting on the never-ending demand

Even during a time when many people are watching what they spend, Simon is finding there is still plenty of demand for making loft spaces more useful and accessible. Having proper access to your loft also means you can more easily install and maintain good insulation, which is a huge deal right now with rising energy costs.

“What I’m finding is that everyone is complaining that they’ve not got enough storage and that their having to find alternatives such as storage centres,” said Simon. “My local depot is absolutely rammed with people every time I pass it, and they’re not cheap. People are paying high rents for units when they’ve got space in their house just waiting to be used. I’ve been working for customers who want better storage in both their lofts and their garages, and I’m selling a lot of insulation, too.”

Hard-working and dedicated people like Simon can benefit from Access4Lofts’ complete turnkey package with a proven business format, as well as all the initial and ongoing support they need to succeed. The company also offers customers the best of both worlds when it comes to choosing who to carry out work in their homes: a trusted, friendly, local face and all the expertise and experience that comes from a large national brand.

Finding the most valuable asset

Simon quickly discovered that his own natural flair with people, combined with the top-quality service he could offer as an Access4Lofts franchisee, was a real recipe for success.

While Access4Lofts’ marketing team always helps new franchisees with pre-qualified leads, Simon found that word-of-mouth has been his most valuable asset. He explained: “Working on one house I ended being asked to do work for three of their neighbours, too! Once people know I’m there and available, there is plenty of work out there.”

A look into the future

Feeling confident and happy with his new business venture, Simon is already thinking about taking on some extra staff and even a second territory. He added: “There is competition out there, but my business is really flying. It’s all about going the extra mile for your customers, and Access4Lofts helps you do exactly that.”