Coconut Creatives director, Sarah Dyer is a regular contributor to the national franchise magazine, Franchisor News.

The magazine contains a whole range of useful information from franchising overseas to ensuring your have a solid franchise agreement, as well as news and views from throughout the franchise industry.

Sarah’s contribution this issue looks at the topical concern of using marketing consumer data legally, protecting your intellectual property and brand and includes some useful tips and contacts.

To view the magazine online visit www.franchisornews.co.uk

Due to the current economic climate, fewer home owners are now moving house. They either can’t afford to move or maybe can’t secure a new mortgage and this has put pressure on families that need to move to gain more living space. These people are now seeking an alternative to improve on space and garage conversions are becoming increasingly popular.

Coconut Creatives started working with The Garage Conversion Company a few months ago to boost their marketing and PR campaigns with an objective to get more franchisees onboard to meet the demand in specific locations throughout the UK.

Being the UK’s number one specialist for designing and converting garages into bedrooms, play rooms, kitchens and a variety of other uses, The Garage Conversion Company now receive over 120 enquiries a week making a total of 6,240 enquiries a year, and this is rising weekly.

Whether a home needs adapting for a larger family, home office, has just been bought or sold, its owner is often interested in maximising on space and adding value to their property. Garage conversions provide an increasingly popular solution in a growing industry.

“It is a logical solution,” explains Phil Bateman, Managing Director of The Garage Conversion Company. “Many people just can’t afford to move house but need extra space. By converting their garage, they gain a room that they can use for a whole range of purposes and add value to their property.”

Due to this increase in demand for their services, The Garage Conversion Company is looking to grow their franchise network so that they can fulfil the ever increasing demand UK-wide.

Individuals or existing small businesses with experience or an interest in building are ideal candidates for a Garage Conversion Company franchise. “Ideal individuals come from a variety of backgrounds but all have good people handling skills, are motivated and ready to succeed,” says Phil.

The franchise costs £23,995 with huge earning potential. “Some of franchisees are turning over £100k a month. So many people are realising that this business is well worth the investment and that this investment can be returned quickly,” continues Phil.

The franchise industry in the UK is now worth over £13 billion. This is because many people now choose to work for themselves and prefer to reduce the risk of failure by starting their business as a franchise which offers proven systems and an established brand. The Garage Conversion Company offer an extensive training program which provides all the necessary skills to operate successfully. Their team of in-house experts will provide training in all aspects of the franchise with ongoing support in the field after initial training has been completed.

With an increase in redundancies predicted over the next year and a reduction in people moving house, this business presents a win/ win opportunity for both the home owner needing more space and the individual looking for a profitable new career path where they can be their own boss. Coconut Creatives is very excited to be working with such a dynamic, friendly company that offers a superb service at an affordable price.

Phil Bateman, Managing Director for The Garage Conversion Company

One of the latest companies to benefit from Coconut Creatives marketing services is The Satellite Shop. Owner, Phil Millington was looking for help in launching his franchise package which responds directly to some key growth areas in the UK.

The Satellite Shop has satisfied many requests over the last year from families that wish to view their home TV channels in the UK.

It is possible to receive hundreds of channels from different satellites using a dish and receiver. The demand for this service had grown considerably over the past few years with the expansion of the EU and more foreigners in the UK wanting to view their home TV channels.

As well as offering dish and receiver products, the Satellite Shop also specialises in home entertainment systems, plasma TV’s, DVD’s, Sky and freeview. They also offer a personal service to customers including a home visit to view the area lounge and recommend electrical and home entertainment systems that fit their space, family and budget.

The Satellite Shop franchise is available throughout the UK with additional demand identified in particular locations. At a cost of just over £40k this is a fabulous opportunity to be your own boss and build a great reputation in your own area.

By the time you start your franchise you will be confident in all aspects of the business and if you have any questions, you will be able to pick up the phone and speak to someone at their head office.

Sarah Dyer at Coconut Creatives launched The Satellite Shop last week and within 4 days Phil had received 26 quality enquiries for the franchise. “I am pleased with the initial launch,” comments Sarah. “We have a range of promotional activities planned for The Satellite Shop over the next few months and I am especially excited to see how they develop.”

The Satellite Shop is also working with Mike Gratwick from Franchise Your Business. Mike has been developing the franchise package alongside Phil for the last year.

For more information about the Satellite Shop franchise opportunity email phil@satshop.co.uk

Phil Millington, Managing Director of The Satellite Shop

Coconut Creatives Director Chris Cook has just returned (by train!) after cycling to Le Mans from Somerset in just 48hrs. The 232 miles of cycling is part of a training programme for a charity off-road mountain bike ride in the summer.

The ride was conceived by Chris’s friend Andy Stobart (PR at Bridgestone). Andy and Chris left Somerset, with pace man James Bowler, at 12.30 last Thursday. After a brief photo-shoot at J Day Engineering the 3 headed for Shaftesbury and then on to Salisbury along pretty country roads.

With a healthy tail wind and fresh legs the pace was rapid with a top speed of 50mph recorded after one descent. James departed in Salisbury and the 2 pedalled on to Portsmouth stopping for a shower and food before catching the overnight ferry to Le Harve. The average speed for the afternoon had been 15.2mph and total mileage 85…

After a poor nights sleep on the ferry and with sore legs the guys arrived in Le Harve. The rain eased and the sun came out as they headed East to cross the estuary and then West before dropping down South towards Le Mans. Day 2 saw a whopping 95 miles covered with rain ending play at the small village of Sees approximately 70kms from Le Mans.

An early rise on Saturday saw the remaining 55miles to Le Mans covered by 11.30hrs. The guys arrived picked up their passes and met the Lola press team.

Chris returned by train to St Malo and then over the channel by Condor Ferry. Andy has continued on to the French Grand Prix a further 250kms – ouch!

Pictures copywrite Coconut Creatives Ltd. 2008

Coconut Creatives have been invited to publish a range of articles in several magazines to respond to the increased interest that business people have in marketing.

Featured articles can be found in the national Making Money Magazine sold in Tescos and WH Smith, Start Your Business magazine also sold in WH Smith and independent retailers and the national Franchisor News magazine which serves the franchise industry.

“We are delighted to offer marketing features to complement the magazines existing articles and information,” says Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Dyer. “We have been writing articles for the press and online sources for some time now and it is our pleasure to help spread the word about marketing through established and reputable magazines as well.”

Coconut Creatives Directors, Sarah Dyer and Christopher Cook also sit on the South West Regional Board for the Chartered Institute of Marketing and work tirelessly to help improve the awareness and standard of marketing practices UK-wide. “It is vital that a company’s marketing function starts from a strategic level so that it maps in with the direction of the business plan. Campaigns and promotions are then created to meet the objectives set out at this strategic level and we have found that our clients see and achieve much greater success by approaching marketing in this way,” explains Christopher.

For further information about Coconut Creatives contact Sarah or Chris on 01963 31030 or email helpme@coconutcreatives.co.uk.