We spoke to Sharon Johnstone, franchisee of YourPlumber in the Portsmouth area.

Sharon, who runs her plumbing franchise with partner Terry, told the FranchiseSalesBlog about how things are going after their first year, including their earnings.

FS Blog: Why did you choose a YourPlumber franchise then?

Sharon Johnstone: Once we’d visited YourPlumber and compared their business model to other companies we felt convinced that we would stand a better chance of success with their professional branding and credibility of a successful business behind us. Not only that, one of the key things for us was the fact we liked the team and wanted to work with them.

FS Blog: So did either of you have a background in plumbing?

Sharon: Terry was already a qualified plumber, so he did not need to do the practical training but we both went on the three-day business and marketing course. This was brilliant and we learnt so much about sales and marketing, not how to grow our business but also getting and keeping customers.

All of this has stood us in good stead and we’ve followed the marketing and business plan to the letter.

FS Blog: So you’re impressed with the training and support then?

Sharon: Every step of the way YourPlumber have been there to guide and help us from day one. Their support is ongoing and although people ask why we didn’t commit to this venture on our own, we realise the business would not have grown so quickly or so profitably without them.

FS Blog: Are you making any money yet?

Sharon: We have just finished our first year and turned over £190,000 against a proposed turnover of £75,000! I doubt there are too many one-man band plumbers who can boast of such a profitable start.

FS Blog: Wow, that’s impressive after only a year. Things are going rather well then...

Sharon: This year has been hard work and there have been ups and downs along the way, but the guys at YourPlumber have been there every step of the way to ease us through all the normal problems new businesses encounter.

We have two vans on the road already and are now ordering the third. The business is growing beyond all our expectations and we can’t wait to see what the second year brings.

Recession? What recession?

Life couldn’t be better, and we’ve just been out to order my new Mercedes. This is a dream come true and we’re living the dream.

Thank you to YourPlumber, it was the best decision we ever made.