Last year proved to be another fantastic year for Harrogate-based ventilation manufacturer EnviroVent.The multi award-winning company added to their prestigious awards, which includes a Queens Award for Innovation, a Manufacturer of the Year award (SME of the Year) as well as the Best Specialist Supplier to Landlords and Lettings agents.

EnviroVent manufactures energy efficient and innovative ventilation products to cure problems with condensation and mould within homes. This is a problem that one in five properties suffers with in the UK, as we add energy saving measures to our properties such as double glazing, loft insulation and cavity wall insulation.

Two of EnviroVent's new franchisee starters have seen for themselves the demand since joining. Chris Pike joined in October 2013 and took on the Romford & Ilford franchise area. Chris has already broken the £100k turnover mark and is hungry to develop even further. Chris says the best thing about taking on an EnviroVent franchise is having control over your work/life balance.Andrew and Loredana Hobbs also joined in October 2013. They own the Slough & Windsor area and have also hit the ground running, generating over £100k in sales.

We asked Grant Amos, franchisee for Guildford & Portsmouth, about the EnviroVent franchise.

What made you choose an EnviroVent franchise?

I decided to go down the franchise route mainly to find a work/life balance, basically I wanted my work hours to be more `family friendly`. Prior to becoming an EnviroVent franchisee my daily work routine included a long commute in and out of London, it started with me leaving home at 7am and returning at 8pm - family time was limited.I looked at a number of franchise opportunities and out of the suitable ones that were a good match to my skill-set there was always one issue; the franchise proposal meant that there was a ceiling of earnings, relative to the investment level, which would be hard to attain. This is not the case with EnviroVent.

What did you do before taking up a franchise?

Prior to joining Envirovent, I worked in the city in the recruitment industry.

How did you raise the finance?

Through savings, and I also decided to re-mortgage my home to enable me and my family to have plenty of money to live on whilst the franchise started producing a living. However, in reality, these funds were not needed as I started earning in week one.

What training and support have you received from us the franchisor?

My initial training involved a solid and intense week up in Harrogate, on-going training is always there if you need it and the phone is always answered by a well organised in-house support team.

What challenges have you faced?

The main challenge is staying organised through the winter period when things are so busy that it is hard to manage and action all the leads that come in.

Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?

Running a franchise has dramatically changed my life. I now have the work/life balance that I want, but I am also hugely excited about the prospect of earning a really good living, and building up a business for myself, and not for someone else. Franchising is the perfect way to do this as it is low risk, and as the old cliché goes, you are in business for yourself but not by yourself!

What would be your advice to someone thinking about buying their first franchise?

My advice to anyone wanting to buy their first franchise is to make sure you go into something that best matches your skill set because that is where you will most likely succeed. Be diligent and speak to as many existing franchisees as you possibly can.

What are you plans for the future?

My plans for the future are to grow my territory and to enjoy myself.

Would you do it again?

Yes - I would definitely do it again! I cannot see myself doing anything else.