Former Valley’s-based cabbie James Jones, who has run his own taxi firm for the past four years, has now started his own plumbing business in partnership with his cousin, part time fireman Robert Clarke.

 

The Rhondda-based duo took on a franchise business of Drain Doctor Plumbing offering emergency plumbing and drain repairs to commercial and domestic customers throughout Cardiff, the valleys and the surrounding towns and villages. They are also operating the business in Newport on a trial basis.

 

James started his career as a team leader for Lloyds TSB before setting up his taxi business so he knows a thing or two about providing good customer service. Robert has worked in drainage and jetting on civil projects such as drainage and road repair.

 

Realising that they had the skills to run their own business they started looking for a drainage repair business. Despite the recession Robert felt that the time was right for him to start a business by sticking to an opportunity based on a tried and tested formula.

 

He began by researching franchise businesses and approached James, who was already running his own taxi business, for support. James said: “I looked at the Drain Doctor business and realised it is a great opportunity to develop. Robert was already doing a similar job and I was looking to expand my business. When I came across Drain Doctor I realised that it was a national brand that could help us to take our business to the next level.”

 

James was impressed by the company’s honesty. “The business is not about sitting in the office waiting for the phone to ring. It is about marketing properly. By working hard – and by following the Drain Doctor system that is there to help – success will follow, but it doesn’t happen over night. This was made clear right from the start,” he said.

 

The decision to launch their own Drain Doctor Plumbing business covering Cardiff and the Valleys has proved a winner. They have just been named most progressive new franchise at the national group’s annual awards ceremony. The award is presented to the franchisees who are considered to have made outstanding progress during the first twelve months or less in the business.

 

James and Robert only launched their Cardiff franchise in April 2010 but more than achieved their target turnover during the year in spite of the recession and they are looking to expand the business.

 

The pair started with two vans. They are also servicing the Newport franchise area on a trial basis so they recognise that they will need to expand. James hopes that they will be able to add a third van and technician to their business within six months.