Over the next six months, we will be following Sukhkaranjit Singh Mann’s (aka Junior’s) journey as he embraces the franchise recruitment and resale process to become a new Signs Express franchisee, with the aim of taking ownership of Signs Express (Huddersfield) at the end of February 2025.
With longstanding franchisee Martin Davis selling the business to move into retirement, spend more time with his family and fulfil his bucket-list of travel destinations, we were thrilled to meet Junior back in the summer who will be stepping into Martin’s shoes to carry on the fantastic business Martin has built up over the past 17 years with his wife Bing.
With Junior making his initial enquiry on 1 July 2024 via Businesses for Sale, he’s so far been through the Signs Express recruitment process and is now well under way in the midst of the sale process and legals, so we’re excited to follow his journey and document his progress through training, completion, handover and beyond, to show the reality of the process.
“Having previously owned my own Off Licence Convenience Store and a Taxi Office business in the B2C sector, I felt it was time for a new direction. I decided to move away from business ownership and become an employee for an easier life for a while, however found I was not fulfilled and was soon looking for my next challenge and needed something new to test myself and get stuck into. I wasn’t originally looking at franchising, this is an area which is completely new to me, I was more focused on independent businesses and therefore started my research.
I came across Signs Express (Huddersfield), did some desk-based research and thought I’d get in touch. Whilst it’s worlds away from what I’ve done before, something caught my interest and I think that connection and passion for a business is hugely important to your future success.
After finding out more and learning about the business model from Emma at the Franchise Support Centre, it became more and more appealing, so we arranged a visit. I met Martin at his premises, Signs Express (Huddersfield), to get a real feel for the business. Meeting Martin who is a genuine individual, I could see the business he’d built up, I could see how much he cared and loved what he did. I was interested to find out more and was ready to take the next step and attend a Discovery Day.
I walked into the Discovery Day with my wife Kali and thought ‘oh my word I’m being scrutinised and interrogated, this is something I have never been on the receiving end of before’, I’ve always delivered on the other side of the table! However, these thoughts were soon diminished as we spent the afternoon having a great session, with a very open and honest account of the business from the Managing Director, Network Development Director and additional members of the wider support team.
As someone who’s always independently owned his own businesses and being new to franchising, I have to admit I was apprehensive about the sector and slightly concerned about the restrictions that would be imposed on me. However, walking away from the Discovery Day at the Signs Express Franchise Support Centre in Norwich, I was happy.
As an individual it’s ten times harder to build your reputation and trust with customers. Having 60+ locations across the UK and Ireland and a business model spanning 35 years with a proven track record, I could see the potential in having that level of exposure. The extensive support, the breadth of the brand, the reputation, the UK wide coverage and the head start that franchising can offer. Meeting the support team gave me a huge amount of confidence, they’re all there to see me succeed and essentially, it’s in their interest to work with me and see the business grow, it’s very much a two-way street.
Overall, I walked into this opportunity with mixed feelings, it felt daunting and I questioned whether I was doing the right thing for my career and family, however the Discovery Day put me at ease and made me relax. I understood the magnitude of support that was available and I walked away thinking this can absolutely be done, I can do this.
Discussing the opportunity on the way home, we felt confident that there is money to be made here and ultimately it comes down to the numbers. Following the call we received from Emma informing us that they as the franchisor were happy to proceed, we were thrilled.
Support aside, I’m aware this will be my business and it’s up to me to make it a success. Knowing the area of Huddersfield well and with previous business knowledge of how to structure and succeed in business gives me a head start. I’m excited to reconnect in a business environment, build new relationships and take the centre to the next level.
Whilst I know I’ve got a lot to learn, you have to be ambitious and hungry to succeed and grab opportunities at hand. I’ve got grand plans to build on the amazing foundations Martin has left and I can’t wait to drive the business forward and expand via the hub and spoke model into neighbouring vacant territories and open up a whole new world of opportunities for myself and Signs Express, continuing Martin’s legacy.
My advice would be to believe in yourself. If you know you can do it, DO IT. Going down the route of a franchise will only strengthen you and give you the support you require to help you to get to know and understand the industry, meet other franchisees and build a relationship with the outgoing franchisee. See the premises which will help bring the process to life and make sure you understand the model, go into things with your eyes wide open.
If you need funding as I will, most franchisors will help, as Signs Express is helping and supporting me in this area. We are working together on the business plan to ensure we’ve got everything covered and I’ve been working closely with Martin to understand the ins and outs of the business also. Next step in the process will be training! With a mixture of nerves, apprehension and excitement I can’t wait to get stuck in and start to learn my craft and start the next stage of my new business adventure.”
