Activ franchise: work from home and avoid commutingA husband and wife team who wanted to buy an IT business now operate seven postcode areas for a web design franchise.

And yet Bedfordshire-based Cecilia and John Holden only joined Activ in July 2008.

The couple, who have 45 years' experience in IT, are working hard to generate more business, primarily through networking.

FS Blog: How has Activ changed your work life?

Cecilia Holden: I used to work for a large international investment bank in the City, but the decision to buy a franchise has improved my life beyond recognition.

My job used to entail over three hours of commuting, as well as travelling backwards and forwards to New York every few weeks, which may sound glamorous but the novelty soon wears off.

Despite being well paid in my old job I am a million times happier since I decided to give it up and take on the Activ franchise with John.

FS Blog: Does he feel the same?

Cecilia: John used to run his own golf-ball business and wanted an alternative. The decision to buy an Activ franchise has been a great move for him.

FS Blog: Give an example of how you’ve helped one of your customers…

Cecilia: One customer, who had moved premises and wanted to update his contact details, couldn’t track down the people who had originally set his details in 2000 and was being asked for £50 just to change his address. We managed to resolve his IT issues efficiently and cost-effectively, as well as providing him with a better site.

FS Blog: Tell us more about your marketing success…

Cecilia: I am among the core founders of a new BNI [a business networking organisation] chapter in our region, and I’ve found networking an excellent way to promote Activ’s services and capabilities.

FS Blog: How much support do you receive from the franchisor?

Cecilia: Although we are essentially running our own businesses, when an issue arises such as a server problem we really appreciate being able to contact Activ. I really value the help and technical support offered by the team.

FS Blog: What have you learnt since being with Activ?

Cecilia: In the past I’ve been used to working with organisation with annual budgets of £13m, but am now dealing with companies whose budgets are measured in units of £500. It’s fascinating to see how businesses can make £500 work for them.

It’s also rewarding for us to play our part in helping smaller companies achieve higher sales, profit and enquiry levels a result of building them a good website.