One of those success stories is William North, who launched Kitchen Makeovers Crawley in August 2024 after years working in the renovation industry in the UK and Australia. Swapping large-scale projects for stylish, sustainable kitchen transformations, William has quickly built a thriving local business that gives him the balance, flexibility and fulfilment he was looking for.
Here, Co-founder of Kitchen Makeovers, Will Frankling, speaks with William about his journey to business ownership, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and how Kitchen Makeovers is helping more people like him build the lifestyle they’ve always wanted.
Tired of working for other people but unsure about starting a business from scratch, William began looking into franchising as a way to build something of his own with the right support behind him. In August 2024, he joined our network and launched Kitchen Makeovers Crawley – swapping full-scale builds for stylish, sustainable kitchen transformations. Just over a year in, William is already loving the freedom, balance and buzz that comes with running his own business.
“I’ve always loved the trade – back in Australia I was working on big projects like blocks of flats, and when I came home, I carried on with renovations. But I got tired of working for other people, and I knew I didn’t have the business experience to just start something from scratch. Franchising felt like the right balance – manageable, but still my own. What really drew me to Kitchen Makeovers was the low overheads and the whole idea of refreshing kitchens rather than taking on massive, expensive projects. It just made sense,” said William.
From day one, William was impressed by the strength of our franchise system and seamless onboarding process. Our training covered every detail, from sales techniques to supplier relationships and materials, giving him the confidence to hit the ground running. That early support has only continued, with franchise development manager, Jon Head, visiting regularly to offer practical advice and guidance. It’s a level of hands-on support that has reassured William he’s never building the business alone.
“Will and Matt really sold me the dream – the system was so solid, and the onboarding was spot on. It gave me so much confidence starting out, because I could see straight away that everything was in place to help me succeed,” added William.
Looking ahead, William sees plenty of potential for growth within his territory. With over 250,000 homes in the RH postcode area alone, boosting local marketing is enough to generate a steady flow of new leads without the need to expand further just yet. Managing a team of subcontracted fitters, William takes a hands-on approach to quality control by spending time with each fitter to ensure they’re the right fit and committed to maintaining the brand’s high standards.
“The best thing about being a franchisee is the balance it gives you. You’ve got the freedom of being your own boss, with the safety net of support available whenever you need it. It’s like running a business with training wheels – everything still relies on you, but you’re never doing it alone.
“My lifestyle has improved massively since being a carpenter. Yes, I put in more hours now, but the difference is that every hour is on my own schedule. If it’s a sunny day, I can head out for a round of golf or make time for football or volleyball without feeling guilty – I just catch up later when it suits me. That flexibility makes all the hard work worth it. I’ve got the buzz of running my own business, but I still get to enjoy the freedom. It’s a much better balance than I ever had before,” explained William.
Hearing stories like William’s is exactly what drives us forward. It’s proof that with the right support and structure, anyone with passion and determination can build a business that gives them both freedom and fulfilment. Watching franchisees like William grow in confidence and success is what Kitchen Makeovers is all about.
“As a brand, our biggest achievement isn’t just the kitchens we transform – it’s seeing people like William build a better lifestyle for themselves in the process. We’re creating a network of business owners who are proud of what they do and excited about what’s ahead, and that’s something really special,” concluded Will.
