An Ovenclean franchise has proved the best buy ever for John Hicks, a former purchaser for an automotive company. Having launched his new business in October 2012, after twice being made redundant, he declares his life has been transformed by Ovenclean and says he’s not looked back since.

“I love the flexibility and independence of being my own boss, I’ve never been short of work and, without a shadow of a doubt, I’m much happier than before,” John confirms.

Although in employment when he made the decision to invest in a business of his own, the experience of redundancy had started the thought process. He no longer felt that security lay in having a job, but in taking matters into his own hands and regaining control over his life.

“I looked at different opportunities with an open mind,” he explains. “All I knew was that I wanted a complete change of direction. When I met the Ovenclean team I found them to be highly professional and very friendly, and the business model was compelling too – after all, everyone has an oven and nobody likes the chore of cleaning it!”

John enjoyed Ovenclean’s intensive training course – including business and marketing modules, as well as mentoring by an existing franchisee – and profited from a professionally organised and successful launch. From the outset, he was completing two cleans per day and it soon became evident that in booking repeat cleans for customers, six or twelve months on, meant that he was building a repeat order customer database, as well as filling in his work diary well ahead.

To date, John has completed well over 800 cleans at a rate of up to 18 per week, including repeat cleans, and continues to attract new work thanks to word of mouth recommendation, referrals and as a result of Ovenclean’s national marketing activity.

“I’m a people person and have always loved dealing with folks from all walks of life. The real difference now, compared to my previous role, is the tremendous job satisfaction that comes from being so much appreciated by your customers – I wouldn’t change my life now for the world!”