Posted:15-April-2026
From Advertising to Smart Repair - Why Revive! Ticked Every Box
After more than two decades in advertising, Paul Lyonette and his wife Katie decided it was time for a career change. They were looking for more autonomy and a new challenge. Four years later the couple have just launched Revive! Canterbury and Dover and they’re full of enthusiasm for the brand and the extensive support structure provided.
Explained Paul: “We both worked in advertising – Katie on the creative side and me on the commercial and business operation side. My ‘aha’ moment came when I was about to start a new advertising job – it just felt like those jobs were becoming very samey and I realised that I was craving the autonomy of being my own boss.”
Having never run their own company before, a management franchise seemed the perfect option. So Paul began researching franchise opportunities and Revive! immediately stood out from the crowd.
“It seemed like there was a lot of consultancy stuff where you are hands on, doing the day-to-day work. There was a lot of cleaning businesses, there was care homes, but none of it felt right.
“Revive! was the only one that just jumped out right from the very beginning to tick all the boxes. No other franchise came close to offering the opportunity that I felt was right for what I was looking for and would also enable us to harness our previous experience.”
He continued: “There’s an element of a safety net when you're coming into such a tried and tested successful franchise brand like Revive! with a clear market and financial model. You can look at how the business has developed over 30 years, going from one van on the road itself to becoming the national number one brand for smart repair. ”
With the choice of franchise decided, the couple began the journey to become Revive! franchisees. Said Paul: “I’m over the moon with the support from Revive! head office, I couldn't really ask for any more in terms of support. From my first conversation with franchise director Cathryn Hayes through to signing the contract, everything from marketing, finance, technician recruitment, uniforms, the vans and getting them all kitted out was taken care of.
“It feels like your hand is being held all the way through, even though it’s your own business and you're driving it. The support and then the expectation of what the franchisee has to put in to make it successful, was just perfect for the skill sets both I and Katie bring to the table.”
With no experience in the motor industry the couple found the initial training period at Revive!s Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved training centre invaluable and look forward to harnessing all of the ongoing training they will receive at every stage of their new Revive! business. They particularly like the flexible learning option open to them both through the online training portal and face-to face.
So why has it taken them so long to take the leap into being their own bosses? Explained Paul: I'm a big believer that things happen at the right time, at the right moment, and when it feels right. It may have taken four years for me to decide, ‘right I’m doing this,’ but it never felt scary at any point, and it's the best thing I think I've ever done.”
Interested and want to know more about Revive! Auto Innovations ?
The Revive! Auto Innovations profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
