Right tools for the job help young Plymouth entrepreneur win coveted industry award
07-September-2023
Former car mechanic, Luke Henderson, has won a major industry award after building a million-a-year tools and tool storage business.
The owner of Snap-on in Plymouth and South Hams is the recipient of a Great British Franchisee Award, the most coveted accolade in a highly competitive sector.
“Luke is a shining example of what makes an exceptional franchisee,” says Lisa Law, Snap-on’s National Franchise Manager.
“After less than five years as a franchisee, he’s already a multi-unit, top-ranking performer with outstanding financials.
“Only a small percentage of our 400-strong network earn a place in the £10k Club – meaning they have to make sales of more than £10k a week consistently for a year – and Luke has achieved this for two consecutive years.”
Straight from school, Luke went into an apprenticeship and qualified as a MoT tester but eventually fell out of love with the job.
“I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life so I started working as a Sales Assistant to a Snap-on franchisee as a stopgap,” he explains. Then he realised he could become a franchisee himself.
“I launched my franchise at the age of 25 and haven’t looked back since,” he says. “The beauty of the Snap-on model is that you make money from day one and so I’ve been profitable since my wheels first hit the road.
“In 2020, I brought my brother into the franchise as my Sales Assistant and he’s now running a second van for me in my second territory.
“My intention is to expand into a third territory in the next 12 to 24 months.”
Even the pandemic couldn’t put a spanner in the works for Luke.
“I couldn’t visit my customers but I knew that didn’t have to mean I couldn’t do business,” he says. “I had to think about how to sell to people without being in front of them.
“So, I took to social media and digital channels, really working Facebook and WhatsApp for maximum effect as I knew those were the two main channels my customers used.
“I ran competitions to build up engagement and excitement, offering raffle tickets with purchases to win some amazing prizes that were really desirable to customers.
“I did live-streams from my storage facility, showing off new products and innovative ways to use tools, and those always generated sales.
“Customers were even checking their phones regularly to make sure they weren’t missing any amazing deals or contacting me to ask when I was next going online! For several weeks during lockdown my turnover exceeded £10k a week.
“I bought my first house at 23 and am now building a property portfolio to support my plans to semi-retire at 45.”
“Winning a Great British Franchisee Award has been an incredible honour, and a surprise! I absolutely love what I do and just go out there every day with the aim of setting the best example for my team and providing the best for my customers. With the right attitude and work ethic, everything else falls into place. I’m so proud to bring this achievement home, for myself and for Snap-on!”
• The Great British Franchisee Awards are run by whichfranchise, supported by Lloyds Bank, D&T, IBB Law, AMO Consulting and Chantry Group. https://www.whichfranchise.com/awards/