Testimonials

Tom Jackson - Merry Maids Dudley, Wolverhampton, South Birmingham

"Before purchasing my Merry Maids franchise in 2004, I was a Customer Care Manager at a Rover dealer � looking after all aspects of ensuring the customer was happy with their dealings with the dealership. Prior to that for 11 years I managed a business with a turnover in excess of �3.5 million a year, with a team of 2 assistant managers, 3 departmental controllers, supervisors and approximately 60 staff.

"Through my previous company I had been through a management-training programme, which included attending Nottingham Trent University and completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Management.

"I bought the Merry Maids franchise because I wanted a business that gave me some back up and support if I needed it, but also allowed me to see the results and benefits for the hard work put in.

"I looked in particular at the Merry Maids franchise because I had a young son, whom because of work commitments I was spending very little quality time with. The hours that the staff work in Merry Maids allow me to have more family time too.

"I enjoy the comments from the customers when I call them after that first clean � saying how "sparkling" and clean their homes are. I also enjoy seeing the growth in income and number of cleaning teams.

"Its hard work and sometimes you find yourself working long hours � but then you ARE the boss... and if you want to take that afternoon off...

"I also enjoy that because it is "your" business, you control everything; how much to spend on yellow pages, pricing, who to employ, etc.

"The other benefits of running my own business are being able to work from home, getting my home cleaned (The Merry Maids way!) and seeing what I have achieved.

"The best support I get from ServiceMaster is from the other franchise owners � not forgetting the help and support of head office support staff, but I think that the networking with other business owners is invaluable � and not just Merry Maids, I have an excellent working relationship with my local ServiceMaster carpet cleaning business.

"Two years ago my wife joined me in the business, after spending several years with a major supermarket chain as a store Personnel Manager

"I was so pleased with my first franchise after 18 months of trading I bought my second Merry Maids area, but am now onto my 3rd!!!!

"The two best things about being a franchise owner in my opinion is the network of contact with other franchise owners and "being the brand" when you go and quote you are not just the cleaners from down the road, you are a recognised brand and something customers trust."

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Jill Barnett - Merry Maids Yorkshire

"Before buying a Merry Maids franchise I was a credit manager and worked for various organisations. I was spending two or three days out of the office visiting clients and sorting problems. I was so fed up of the constant pressure from senior mangers over targets and more wanting more. I then decided to take some time away from work and spent about six months travelling back and forth to China where my husband was working at the time.

"Then when the reality of going back to work struck me, I realised I couldn�t go back to the rat race working for other people and always under constant pressure. Ben (my husband) and I went along to the franchise exhibition at Birmingham and met up Merry Maids.

"Merry Maids seemed an ideal franchise to me as once you were up and running you passed on a certain amount of the mundane work over to the staff. I have been working this business now for six years and employ 26 staff. I still work very hard but enjoy the fruits of my labour. I don�t have to answer to anyone, however ServiceMaster are there for me should I need advice. The beauty of Merry Maids is you can be as successful as you wish to be. I am naturally a very competitive person and set myself personal targets which keep me hungry for success.

"The Merry Maids franchise owners are a nice friendly bunch of men and ladies who all come from different backgrounds and we all have something to bring to the business. There is always someone at the end of a telephone for help or advice. My husband joined the business when we had been running for 3 years and it is something we can do together. I have to pinch myself sometimes when I think about how far we have come in a short space of time but I believe you get the benefit out of what effort you are prepared to put in.

"I could not have set this business up from nothing without the expertise and knowledge of ServiceMaster. Cleaning is a growing market in the UK and will continue to grow over the future years. I am so glad I made the decision to join this organisation and could never imagine going back to work for someone else ever again."