Posted:13-January-2021
Tubz franchise provides flexible working hours for working Mum
Name: Sharena Dinham
Location: Burnham-On-Sea, Somerset
Franchise: Tubz Vending
Date launched the franchise: November 2015
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your Tubz franchise business?
My name is Sharena Dinham. I am 43 years old, a wife and a mother of three children. I live in the West country.
Prior to buying my franchise I was a full time Primary School teacher. I found that teaching full time was taking me away from my family for too many hours.
When I heard about Tubz Vending I decided to drop my teachings hours and invest in a Tubz franchise.
Can you also tell us about the Tubz franchise you have bought?
Back in 2015 I invested in Tubz Vending. I initially bought into their 10 machines deal. This included 10 machines, stands, stock and sites for them, as well as a 2 year guarantee on equipment, corporate clothing, full training package and 24/7 engineer support and advice online.
Since then I have invested in 20 more machines and now have 30. I have been able to grow the business on my terms and at my own pace. Soon I hope to expand the business even more.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose the vending industry? And why did you choose a Tubz franchise?
I wanted to invest in something that I was totally in control of, that also didn’t require me to be tied down to certain days and times.
I was initially attracted to their low cost start up fee, with no monthly fees.
I chose a sweet vending business as it caught my eye because the product totally sells itself. It’s colourful, eye-catching and tasty!
How did you raise the finance?
I was lucky enough that my parents offered me the upfront cost of the business and managed to pay back at a pace I could afford.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
I had absolutely no experience in selling or business prior to investing in the franchise.
Before I made the initial payment to Tubz I decided to make the long drive from Somerset to Kent to see the business running and how it worked. While I was there I received comprehensive training on the machines and how they functioned, as well as having a tour of the company. I was very impressed with what I saw and just how friendly everyone was.
On returning home with my new business I obviously had some teething problems, which were sorted after a simple phone call to Tubz. If it was an issue that couldn’t be resolved over the phone, they would send me a video to follow step by step instructions.
The support from Tubz is still very much there today; although the longer you have your business the better you understand your machines!
How would you describe your day-to-day role as a Tubz franchisee?
My commitment to my business is 100%, however I am not needed to be present for it every day, as the product sells itself while I am doing other things. With my 30 machines I would say that I spend about 7-9 hours a month attending to machines, cleaning, maintaining and restocking. I do spend some time at home uploading on my Facebook page. I will sometimes receive a call from a site saying that the machine has a jam and I will usually attend within 24 hours.
I do keep my sites very close to home to reduce the amount of driving time.
What challenges have you faced?
My biggest challenge to date has been the change in the old £1 coin to the new one. I had to change all my mechanisms, which was a pain, but once again Tubz sent videos on how this was done. Hopefully this won’t be happening again anytime soon.
Other than that the machines sometimes will have small issues, like a coin getting jammed or a tub getting stuck. The best solution I have found for this is to always take a couple of stocked machines and just replace the whole machine and take it home to sort out.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
Becoming a franchisee has totally changed my life. I am finally able to control when I want to work and I work it around my family life and not let work control me!
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
My advice to anyone looking to buy their first franchise is to think about what they want to gain from it.
Do your homework. I visited another vending business, but there were hidden costs and many other negatives.
Talk to other Franchisees. I gained alot of knowledge from speaking with other people about their Tubz experience and since then I have spoken to at least 8 people interested in starting up.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
I believe that the key to success is having confidence in what you’re selling and a passion for what you do. Take pride in your business. I can’t stand seeing any of my machines dirty! They always shine. I also have a sticker on the back of each one with my number, just in case they need maintaining. So be available!
What are your plans for the future?
I plan next year to invest in more machines. By the end of next year I would like to hopefully double the size of my business.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
To be honest the only thing I would do differently is buy the franchise sooner! I have had such a safety net through Tubz that nothing was ever too difficult.
Interested and want to know more about Tubz Brands?
The Tubz Brands basic profile outlines aspects of their franchise opportunity
