X-Press Legal Services’ Ltd is a specialist franchise that provides property searches and reports, working on behalf of solicitors, conveyancing professionals and specialist HIP providers. The searches and reports are a vital part of the property buying process in the UK.

Family businesses tend to be run by husbands and wives or blood relatives, so a father-in-law and son-in-law working together is relatively unusual. However, pooling their respective talents and experience has proved a winner for franchisee partnership Adam Margolis and his father-in-law Max Furman.

Adam was an estate agent in North West London and had always worked in the property sector. He wanted to be his own boss but understood the pitfalls of starting a business alone. He believed that franchising offered a safer route to self-employment, with fewer risks than a completely new venture.

His father-in-law Max, on the other hand, had many years’ experience of running a business, having owned retail outlets for more than 30 years. He had two shops in North London selling children’s wear but, like many other independent retailers, he found it increasingly difficult to compete with the cheap imports being offered by the big supermarkets and eventually decided to close up.

Max knew from experience that working hard in your own business brings the satisfaction of reaping the rewards of your own efforts. He could also see the real advantages of being part of a franchise network with training, on-going support and back-up from an established and successful business that has been tried, tested and thoroughly proven.

Together Max and Adam researched franchising, looking at many different options before deciding to find out more details about X-Press Legal Services. As Adam had a background in property and was very familiar with the home buying process, X-Press was particularly relevant and sounded very interesting. They went to the Olympia franchise exhibition in 2007 where they met the X-Press team for the first time. “After meeting director Dave Lister I immediately felt I was on the same wavelength as him,” said Adam.

Combining Max’s invaluable business experience with Adam’s in-depth knowledge of the property sector enabled them to launch their franchise with an exceptionally good start. They get on well and work together harmoniously, except for just one thing. Adam explains: “I am a keen football fan with a season ticket for Spurs while Max supports rival London team Arsenal,” he said.

Max added: “We are great colleagues - so long as we never discuss football, the one thing we disagree about! I am looking forward to having as much success as my team!”