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Signs Express Franchise

Meet Signs Express (Ipswich) Franchisee Nick Dawes

13th December 2011

As one of the first franchises to open Nick has been centre owner since 1992 and now employs six staff from his 2300 sq ft unit based just off Landseer Road in Ipswich town.

What would you say have been the ultimate rewards?

Financial security is the main reward along with the freedom of being my own boss and the pleasure of seeing my business grow. We’ve also built a great relationship with a number of our customers, some of whom have been with us since day one.

How has the industry changed since you joined?

Franchising seems to have matured since I first started out and is now viewed much more positively as a viable business route. The sign industry has fundamentally stayed much the same, although obviously machinery and materials have changed somewhat with a much stronger bias towards full colour.

How did you go about raising the finance for your franchise?

I invested my personal funds plus a bank loan under the Government Approved Loan Scheme for the rest of the balance.

What has been your biggest order to date or who has been your biggest customer?

The biggest customer and job so far has been 125 vehicles for a rebrand for Eastern Electricity.

Where would you like to be in ten years time?

Skiing!

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Signs Express Franchise Case Studies

Introducing Mark Kendall from Signs Express Southampton
22nd April 2013
Mark Kendall took over Signs Express Southampton for a career change. In two years he has almost doubled the turnover of the centre. We...

Introducing Ken Bevis from Signs Express Grimsby
25th March 2013
Ken Bevis is one of the first members of the Signs Express network he has successfully owned and operated Signs Express in North and North...

Introducing Anne Hitch who is Managing Director of Signs Express in Peterborough
21st February 2013
We spoke to Anne Hitch about her career path and what qualities she believes makes her successful in her Signs Express business

Meet Signs Express Franchisee (Exeter) Nick Baxter-Sibley
22nd February 2012
Originally opened in 1995 husband and wife team Nick and Marion Baxter-Sibley now employ ten staff at their 2000 sq ft unit based on...

Meet Signs Express (Gateshead) Franchisee Malcolm Lant
21st February 2012
Originally opened in 1998, Malcolm has been Signs Express centre owner since 2005 and now employs six staff

Meet Signs Express Franchisee John Miller-Wilson (Bristol)
17th February 2012
Originally opened in 2004, John has been centre owner since 2007 and now employs seven staff from his 2200 sq ft unit based on Avonbank...

Meet Signs Express (Birmingham SW ) Franchisee Joe Smith
14th February 2012
Joe Smith opened the doors of his custom designed sign making centre back in June 2006 at the age of 29.

Meet Signs Express (Twickenham) Franchisee Jayesh Patel
3rd January 2012
Signs Express (Twickenham) Franchisee Jayesh Patel Originally opened in 2003, Jayesh employs four staff at his 3000 sq ft unit based on...