Steve Smith
Cartridge World Wylde Green, Birmingham
Background
Steve Smith needed a change. He’d been working for the same logistics group for 20 years, gaining valuable experience as a finance manager, but felt he wanted to carve out his own niche.
What introduced him to Cartridge World
Already a Cartridge World customer, Steve knew that the company to be a strong brand and the biggest name in cartridge refilling and remanufacturing in the UK. When he delved into the details further and learned about the profitability of existing franchises, his mind was made up.
Progress to date
Steve opened his brand new store in July 2006. His business-to-business sales have been increasing significantly, which Steve reckons is in part due to the recession, as businesses increasingly look for ways to save money. The high quality products and service, along with the fact that Steve operates as a local business and can resolve problems for customers straight away, are also factors he attributes to the business’s success.
Steve can’t speak highly enough of the Cartridge World technical team, which has provided him with comprehensive support and ensures that the range of products available for him to sell is consistently industry-leading.
Steve also takes advantage of the support offered by the team at Cartridge World’s UK head office in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, which provides, among other things, national marketing and advertising campaigns and ongoing research and development. Steve also has a Business Development Manager assigned to his store.
Longer-term, Steve aims to keep raising revenue, but to keep the business at a size where he can remain ‘hands-on’.
Making a contribution to the community is something that Steve takes pride in. In a show of support for one of his customers who suffers from a heart condition called cardiomyopathy, Steve donates £1 for each cartridge placed in a collection box to the specialist department at his local hospital.
Steve also runs cartridge collection schemes enabling local schools to raise money and regularly donates printers as prizes to local fairs and fetes.
Steve says...
“I have been impressed with Cartridge World right from the start – beginning with the intensive training I received at head office before I opened my store, which was not only incredibly useful but fun too.
“The environmental benefits of the business are important to me – it’s why I originally became a Cartridge World customer – and it’s an issue that society as a whole is taking more and more notice of.
“The money-saving aspect is really crucial, especially now, given the recession. It’s getting to a point where customers are seeking out my business, rather than the other way round.
“My ultimate aim is to set myself up comfortably for retirement – and I really believe that’s possible with Cartridge World.”
