Posted:07-December-2022
Berkshire couple decide they "could do it better themselves!" and become franchisees
- Name: Natasha and James Oliphant
- Location: Berkshire
- Franchise: The Travel Franchise – Not Just Travel homeworking travel consultant
- Date launched the franchise: July 2021
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a The Travel Franchise business?
Natasha: When we first joined TTF, I had started a successful beauty business and I was also working three days in the NHS while James was full time in IT, so we began working part time as travel consultants. James is now part time in IT plus a part-time travel consultant.
Can you also tell us about the franchise you have bought?
Natasha: The Travel Franchise, which trains you to become a homeworking travel consultant operating under the customer-facing brand, Not Just Travel.
Why did you go down the franchise route?
James: We were in lockdown and thinking about what’s next for us both. In terms of, what are our passions? What would we like to do for the rest of our lives? And it was very clear to me that doing nine to five wasn’t the future and felt the pull of entrepreneurship.
What made you choose your industry?
Natasha: The one thing all our friends know us for is our passion for travel. From our very first date, we spoke about the types of travel we’d been on individually and where we’d like to go in the future. It’s always been a big part of our lives. We had a really bad experience as a consumer after booking a holiday with another company and then having to cancel due to the pandemic. It was a catalyst to saying ‘we could do this so much better’.
And why did you choose The Travel Franchise / Not Just Travel?
James: I think one of the great things about Not Just Travel is that it’s always been for people with no background in travel. That was really endearing to us.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
Natasha: The moment we signed up for the business, we were advised to immediately started networking which we did around the pool, as we were actually on holiday in Barbados! We created a Facebook group and invited everyone we knew to it. We went into the five-day induction training as prepared as we could be, finished training at 3pm on the Friday and by 4.30pm on the same day we had our first booking. And it was from a complete stranger!”
James: Despite our success we’re still learning. That’s the industry. I think you’re constantly evolving. NJT’s Business Development managers are a huge help. At the beginning, it’s more, how do you do this? Or how would you do that? Now the questions are more complicated because we’re getting bigger clients with more complex needs. It’s great to have that support network available to you. And you definitely need the support… you couldn’t do it on your own. Other travel consultants within the company have also been really helpful. It’s not a competition. So you can actually ask somebody else questions and they freely give that advice.
How would you describe your day-to-day role as a franchisee
Natasha: I’m still very strict with timetables and calendars. We have dedicated time to do one thing and then the other. We just share it between us like a tag-team.
What are your key successes to date?
James: We achieved the Money-Back Challenge in seven months – we sold a certain amount of holidays in a specific time which meant we got our entire franchise fee (£14,995) refunded.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
Natasha: We travel even more! And have complete flexibility with our own working lives.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
James: Still working on this! You never stop working or want to when it’s your own business!
Can you tell us about any community involvement, including any local partnerships, incentives or charity work you are involved in?
Natasha: We have set up with a Children's Charity, Dingley's Promise, that we have started to work with so every time someone books a holiday a percentage goes back to the charity to help the children.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
James: Our advice to others is to take baby steps and communicate with your business development managers. There is a whole system of support so use it.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
Natasha: Dedication and passion. You need to make time to keep learning.
What are your plans for the future?
James: The future is exciting and we plan to go full time very soon.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
James: Take your time and do each step slowly – it’s not a race!
Interested and want to know more about The Travel Franchise?
The The Travel Franchise basic profile outlines aspects of their franchise opportunity
