“Teamwork and tenacity have been key to our long-lasting success”

Lesley and Barry Lavin are celebrating 20 years as OSCAR Pet Foods franchisees

As Lesley and Barry Lavin celebrate 20 years of running their OSCAR Pet Foods franchise, stand-out memories reveal that teamwork and tenacity have been key to their long-lasting success.

OSCAR Pet Foods Cheadle Hulme has given them the flexibility to manage their family commitments, as well as a rewarding home delivery business centred around pets.

Enthusiasm

Looking back over two decades, Barry and Lesley recall just how far they’ve come: “The first flushes of excitement and enthusiasm at owning our own business stick out as a memory.

“We went everywhere. We would approach dog walkers in the park and friends in the street and ask: ‘Have you heard of OSCAR Pet Foods?’ ‘Do you own a pet?’ ‘Can we help?’. To be fair, people were lovely to us.

“We were really green in those days. I’m pleased to say that as the business began to grow so did our professionalism. The same can be said for the company, too. In 20 years, OSCAR has grown not only in size but also in professionalism and support for us as franchisees. It’s a real partnership.

“We’ve also had our luck. About two or three years in, our neighbouring franchisee sold to us and, as a result, we extended our customer base.

“Teamwork with fellow franchisees in neighbouring territories has always been an important part of the journey and we’ve forged great bonds along the way - with head office support confirming the strength of the network.”

Wisdom

Alongside the couple’s natural ability to embrace opportunity lies their wisdom in understanding that to get the ‘yeses’ you’ve got to take the ‘noes’.

“Lesley is firmly in the driving seat these days and I’m just support crew to help load and fetch things from A to B,” Barry says. “All credit to her, she’s stuck at it and all her hard work and tenacity has put the franchise where it is today - she has made a great success of it.”

Rewards

Previously a midwifery sister, Lesley’s life has always revolved around caring for others. Her desire to help people, combined with skilled communication, has brought its own rewards to the couple’s franchise and its surrounding community, creating a special service that pet owners have come to rely upon.

“I love my chats with Richard Martin, managing director of OSCAR Pet Foods, who shares little gems of information about the products,” Lesley says. “He won’t budge on quality and that’s what gives me such confidence in the brand.

“I know my customers want the best for their pets and I know that’s what OSCAR provides. We won’t sell our customers anything they don’t need because honesty and integrity in what we do is absolutely key.”

At a glance

Established:

1994

Number of franchised outlets:

80-plus

Location of units:

nationwide

Investment range:

from £8,995 (plus VAT)

Minimum required capital:

£8,995 (plus VAT)

Contact:

Janet Walmsley 0800 068 1106