According to Pack and Send , starting one’s own business is difficult during the current economic climate. It is for this reason that many people look to open a franchise business instead. One of the advantages of setting up a franchise is that the brand is established, and the complicated back-end work has been done already.
Due to this ease, franchisees are often from a wide range of backgrounds with expertise in a number of fields. Leading Australian franchise group, Pack & Send have franchisees who previously worked in an array of industries, from the navy to geology and accounting.
Darren Johnston, owner of Pack & Send Sumner (Qld) was also a franchisee for Harvey Norman, owning two stores over a six year period. During this time, he gained knowledge on how to run a successful franchise. Johnston has opened a franchisee for Pack & Send, six months ago.
Another Pack & Send franchisee with a varied career is Andrew Howard. Andrew is the owner of Pack & Send Ballarat (Vic), which opened in October 2008. Before owning a Pack & Send franchise, Andrew was a trade gardener and also owned a medical services consultancy. Andrew became interested in Pack & Send after hearing about their ‘No Limits’ policy. Andrew says that with access to specialist packing expertise, a range of freight solutions can be sourced and without requirement for an account difficult jobs can be accepted.
Mike Smart from Pack & Send Pyrmont (NSW) and Edwin van der Graaf from Pack & Send Marion (SA) are new to the Pack & Send network. Both opened their stores in March this year and are already seeing positive results. Smart has purchased a 10 year Pack & Send franchise in Marion. Pack & Send won the PricewaterhouseCoopers Franchisor of the Year award in 2007 and was runner-up at the FLA International Franchisor of the Year Award in 2008.