Signs Express Franchise

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 Waterbridge Court on Matford Park Road.

What did you do prior to becoming a Signs Express franchisee?

Worked as an IT project manager.

Why did you choose franchising?

Franchising was a route into starting a business in a market sector where I had no prior experience but where I could adjust my skill set to fit with the business structure; the benefits of being part of a larger group was also a key element I took into consideration along with the much lower failure rate as a franchised start-up businesses. Statistics spoke for themselves as approximately third of new businesses fail within three years, but only 10% of franchises do. Franchising was therefore a lower risk.

What made you decide to buy a new Signs Express business?

Starting a business from scratch really gave us a sense of achievement. However, when we started there wasn’t as much scope for buying an already established franchise and we wanted to keep within our local area.

What would you say have been the ultimate rewards?

There are a number of rewards from being your own boss, but namely the gratification of building the business; having control over mine and Marion’s destiny; flexibility of our own working arrangements; being involved in actually making something and also the satisfaction of seeing completed work all around the area.

How has your own business progressed or expanded since you launched?

We initially employed 2 people – myself and one sign maker - but as the business has grown we have gradually taken on more staff and now employ 10 people, however we still have plans to increase on this. We also bought our own premises as part of the growth process and now occupy a unit on a modern business park in Exeter.

“Starting in business from scratch really gave us a sense of achievement. When we started looking there wasn’t as much scope for buying an already established franchise so we were lucky that our local area was still available. It was ideal and fitted well with our requirements.” - Nick Baxter-Sibley, Franchisee, Signs Express (Exeter)

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Signs Express Franchise Case Studies

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...

Meet Signs Express (Leeds) Franchisees Dave & Kim Nurse
19th December 2011
Signs Express (Leeds) husband and wife team Dave and Kim Nurse now employ six staff at their 1981 sq ft unit in Leeds.

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

Further Information

Franchise Information

BFA Membership Status
Full

UK Years Established
21 years

Current UK Coverage
60%

Franchisee Support Staff
19

Personal Investment Req.
£32,500

Total Startup Cost
£65,000 approx

'Territory management' business location

Business to business services

Franchisee employs and manages staff

Latest Case Study

21st February 2012
Meet Signs Express (Gateshead) Franchisee Malcolm Lant

Latest News

3rd January 2012
Named Regional Finalist for BFA Award

Special Feature

14th February 2012
Franchising is no longer just a mans world