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Des Seenan and his wife Anne opened the doors of their first Smart Cartridge franchise four and a half years ago.
The husband and wife team were one of the UK's first franchisees after the opening of the flagship store in Edinburgh’s Haymarket.
After spending 15 years in the finance, funding and leasing sector, primarily with Bank of Scotland, Des was looking for an opportunity to run his own show. After successfully running a call centre and recruitment agency he was looking for a business opportunity which would be a good fit with his vast experience of the service sector.
He quickly identified that the ink refill market offered huge potential. He scrutinised the franchisors in this sector and decided on Smart Cartridge.
"When I met with Graham Little, the founder of Smart Cartridge, I realised right away that he was very hands on with the business. Information is shared throughout the group and head office is always there to support the franchisees in a very practical way."
He added: "The group has evolved organically and the founders have stuck to their original plan. They have never introduced new products before they are absolutely right for the business and franchisees have been fully consulted."
Two-and-a-half years ago Des opened his second franchise in Uphall near Edinburgh. He puts the secret of success down to good customer service and having the right products. "Many people predicted that sales of consumables over the internet would spell the death knell for us. However, you cannot get personal help and advice over the internet. Every day we are helping customers with everything from which printer they should buy to what photo paper they need for specific purposes. I believe it is this level of helpfulness which keeps customers coming back to us again and again.
If we can help save their businesses money or make them more efficient we have done our job." Des concluded: "I would thoroughly recommend a Smart Cartridge franchise to anyone looking for a business opportunity. The business model, branding, products as well as marketing and technical support are first class. Head office is always open to suggestions and are not overbearing like some franchise operations. Their philosophy is that if the franchisee is benefiting the franchisor benefits."
For further information about Smart Cartridge please visit www.smart-cartridge.com or call +44 (0)131 445 7607.
