Cloudy2Clear Franchisee Opens Second Branch In Record Time

Alan Ball, Cloudy2Clear windows franchise owner for the Chester and Wirral area is celebrating the opening of his second branch in record time.

Alan has recently opened his new branch in the Warrington area a mere 18 months after starting his first operation. ‘The decision to expand wasn’t difficult, it was more a question of timing,’ says Alan.

‘The Chester & Wirral business had really taken off in the second 6 months of it’s first year, just as Cloudy2Clear had explained it would do, but I hadn’t expected to open a second branch so quickly.’

It was a combination of a visit to his bank manager and changing personal circumstances which really pushed the idea to the top of Alan’s agenda. ‘I’d completed my first year and went to see my bank with my Profit & Loss accounts. As C2C provide a full sales, marketing, accounting and banking system it was easy to produce the reports I needed as I was interested in my bank managers opinion on how the business was progressing.

When he told me I was in the top 10 new start businesses he had at the branch I asked about funding for a second. His response was that on the performance of my first area that it would be no problem at all and this really set me thinking. I have young children and my partner was looking to give up her job and come into the business to assist with the administration but I didn’t want to saddle my first business with unnecessary costs. Opening a second area with the profits that would generate would allow us to make that lifestyle shift for her and, ultimately, make more money for us all.’

With this in mind Alan approached his Franchisor. ‘Whilst Cloudy2Clear encourage replicating your success elsewhere they do place stringent tests on the purchase of further areas. Opening your first business is tough enough and they want to be absolutely sure that you are ready. Let’s be honest, there’s no point in dashing for expansion if it’s going to harm your original business. We spent a long time pouring over cash-flow forecasts, a break even analysis for both businesses and a long-term business plan for the bank. Once we both felt happy and comfortable and they were sure I was fully aware of the implications of what I was taking on we pushed the button on the Warrington launch.’

This approach really meant that Alan felt ready to go for it. ‘We’re now in the position where I can afford for my partner to work in the business and she’s taken over the administration. I’ve also taken on extra staff to cope with the demand we’ve generated. Cloudy2Clear have been brilliant throughout in assisting me in training and keeping a close eye on how I’m running the 2 businesses. I lean on them heavily and it’s great to know they’re there.

It’s been a fast learning curve for Alan but he feels it’s worth it. ‘I now operate a true family operation and my partner really feels she’s a part of things now, but we’ve done it in a way which means that her wages are costed and affordable which reduces the stress on us both. The Warrington business is really taking off whilst Chester & Wirral goes from strength to strength. It is a bit nerve-wracking, it can seem overwhelming sometimes at how fast his has all happened but I’m really pleased with the way things are going. You never know, I might go for number three next year!’