… as four new franchisees join the team in just one month!

Since Coconut Creatives assisted FitKid with the launch of its franchise package in 2007, this national child fitness brand has been establishing a number of key franchise zones around the UK with a great deal of success and gradual growth.

This month sees a further FOUR new franchisees undertaking training at FitKid’s HQ in Dorset. Training will be undertaken by Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Cook (formally Sarah Dyer).

Nicky Kay, FitKid’s Franchise Director is delighted with the progress. “We welcome four new franchisees to the team which will cover North Sunderland and Tyne and Wear, Norwich, Islington and Stoke Newington and Wood Green. All are to launch in January 2009. Many individuals are realising that FitKid offers a superb franchise opportunity and suits those who may be returning to work after having children,” says Nicky.

Franchisees can earn £50K through this opportunity by purchasing a 5 year FitKid Franchise at a very low cost of £7.5k. The franchise provides a realistic solution for part time or full time work where franchisees effort equals their own reward, as well as helping to make fitness fun for so many children.

“I think the franchise is popular because it is really affordable. Franchisees also undergo specialist training and gain a nationally recognised child fitness qualification that equips them with the skills to run the business. This franchise is so important to us to help spread the word about childhood obesity and work with as many people as possible to give our children the best start,” adds Nicky.

The pilot franchise, in Poole and Bournemouth is doing really well with over 35 classes a week. New projects have also been secured with Bournemouth School Sports Partnership this academic year.

Sue Young is one of the new franchisees starting training next week and comments, “I’m very excited about bringing FitKid to the North East. I’m looking forward to having fun with the kids while having a positive influence on their health.”

The FitKid Franchise supports government initiatives to improve child fitness and reduce child obesity, currently estimated to be 30% by 2010. FitKid achieves this by making active play a priority and most importantly, enjoyable.

To request a prospectus contact Nicky Kay at FitKid on 08700 85 1000 or email nicky@fitkid.co.uk

Coconut Creatives have many different types of clients with different specialisms. Spettro are one such client that can offer some advice back to us, which is useful to everyone who owns their own home:

Spettro are specialists when it comes to repairing homes and commercial properties when the weather does its worst but take their advice this Autumn and you’ll save yourself some cash this Winter.

Tony Smith, one of the directors at Spettro, has nearly 40 years experience of fixing damage to homes caused by our great British weather. “Take action this weekend and you could save yourself a lot of hassle and money just by checking through the list below,” he explains.

1. Ensure that all gutters and downpipes are cleared, are free of leaves and debris and that there are no blockages in any downpipes or hopper heads where rainwater discharges into.
2. Check that your drains and gulleys are free-flowing and remove any vegetation or blockages to assist with the flow of water.
3. Ensure that flat roofs are in good condition and that any tears, rips or other repairs are undertaken in order to prevent rainwater seaping through into the property.
4. Ensure that any missing or broken roof tiles or slates are replaced and that courses are aligned to prevent rainwater ingressing through into the loft space.
5. Ensure that all pipework is adequately lagged and protected to prevent freezing in exposed areas such as loft spaces or outbuildings.
6. Ensure that all water tanks in the loft are adequately lagged and immersion heaters have sufficiently thick insulation jackets fitted.
7. Ensure that your gas boiler has been serviced by a Corgi Registered heating engineer before winter commences.
8. Ensure that your loft space is insulated to the recommended thickness (which is a minimum of 300mm) whilst ensuring that the fiberglass quilting insulation does not block the airflow to the roof eaves. Check that no insulation is placed directly under the cold water storage tank, as this requires a certain amount of warm air to prevent freezing.
9. Check radiators to ensure they are bled of any air blockages and that they are working at maximum capacity and any thermostatic valves fitted can be turned easily.
10. If you are going away during the winter months, turn your thermostat down and leave your central heating system on so that if we get a bit of snow then your pipes won’t burst!

Remember, if your home or business does get damaged by extreme weather conditions then you can leave it to Spettro to get the repairs done by their trusted tradesmen. Spettro Limited is regulated by the Financial Services Authority which allows them to loss assess and mediate with all the major insurance companies, a service which is free of charge to the insured! Visit www.spettro.net for more information or keep the freephone number handy 0800 389 2251.

In these uncertain economic times you may find people having to cut back on life’s little luxuries. Traditional beauty salons and their treatments such as facials and massages sadly often fall into this luxury category. Treatments are often put on hold pending better times or reserved for one off special occasions, which leaves large gaps in cash flow for salon owners.

However, new Coconut Creatives client, Strip Ltd who offer their clients waxing only treatments, has experienced the exact opposite to this downward trend. That’s because salon owners Danielle and Maria–Louise ensure that Strip Ltd offers its’ clients a very unique wax only experience.

“Our appointment books are always full, even in these harder times there is no substitute for getting a great service in fabulous surrounding, our customers just keep coming back for more treatments.” comments Danielle Featherstone co owner and director of Strip Ltd.

So what is the secret of Strips success?

“Strip’s unique product range is definitely helping us ride out any retail credit crunch, on the contrary we have had our best 4 months with turnover increasing by over 20%,“ comments Maria-Louise Featherstone Co Owner and Director with her sister Danielle.

All franchisees have access to the premium range of waxing products including the new SoBerry Delicious and famous Chocolate-Hazelnut wax that all the celebrities are raving about! The range also includes Rosette, Lavender, Active Gold and Manifico (for men) that leaves skin smooth and smelling delicious. A real treat for clients! Franchisees will also be able to stock fabulous designer lingerie at discounted rates which adds another revenue stream.

Secondly, it offers a unique setting and fabulous interior to ensure clients feel pampered during their visit.

Strip Ltd has recently launched a lucrative franchise opportunity that means that once you have embraced the Strip brand your appointment books will always be full too!

The Franchise costs only £15,000 plus extra expenses involved in turning your salon into a Strip waxing salon and lingerie boutique.

All new franchisees will undergo an extensive training programme supported by a comprehensive operations manual. In order to recreate Strip’s unique customer experience, Franchisees therapists will also undergo a 3 step training programme.

The Franchise has been set up by expert franchise consultant Mike Gratwick from Franchise Your Business. “This is an extremely unique and exciting opportunity that I believe will perform well with the right franchisees,” comments Mike.

If you are interested in beauty and wish to be a part of this waxing revolution then this is the franchise for you. To request a prospectus email franchise@2strip.com or call 07903 502304 or 07932 015 636.

Example of the famous Chocolate-Hazelnut wax. It looks good enough to eat!

Coconut Creatives client, Spettro, deal with insurance claims from home owners for a range of things such as fires, theafts, storm or water damage. It is not uncommon for the nature of the claims to adjust according to the seasons:

In 2005 Surrey recorded 2,216 fires with 678 starting in dwellings and 99 starting in private garages and sheds (1).  Mr Salter in Croydon knows only too well the danger of fires started in garden sheds after an enjoyable BBQ turned into a house-warming!

Mr Salter had a family BBQ last summer, when he finished for the evening he placed the used charcoal in his garden shed. Several hours later the shed was alight and as the flames grew higher they set fire to a nearby tree which, in turn, set fire to the fascia board on the end elevation of the house. Mr Salter explains, “The fire was fanned by the night breeze and spread quickly across the roof before we noticed what was happening.”

The fire was eventually put out by attending fire fighters who used several thousand gallons of water which then caused substantial damage to the rest of the house. Local company Spettro were called in the next morning to assess the damage and spent 3 months returning the property to its original state. “After such a shock, we were so pleased to have someone sort out the insurance claims paperwork and get on with fixing the house straight away!”

Kevin England, one of the Spettro directors, offers a few tips on BBQ safety:

1)    Avoid setting up the BBQ in draughty locations and keep away from flammable materials such as wooden fences and gazebos;
2)    Keep children, pets and guests away from the BBQ – even once the BBQ is over it stays hot for a long time;
3)    Be prepared - have a fire blanket and water close to hand;
4)    Don’t mix raw meats and make sure everything is completely cooked through to avoid food poisoning – fire isn’t the only danger at a BBQ.
5)    Don’t be caught drunk in charge of a BBQ - save your tipple until after the feast!
6)    Don’t put your BBQ away until it is completely cold – dampen embers with water.

For more information and stories about Spettro visit www.spettro.net

It seems that burglars are getting more creative in Mansfield when trying to access homes. Coconut Creatives client, Spettro, who deal with buildings insurance claims for home owners had an interesting enquiry from one home owner with an almost  comical problem.
The burglar climbed onto the roof of a house, removed some loose tiles and slipped through the hole to see what he could find!

Graham Calladine, who owns the local franchise of Spettro, was asked to repair the damage to the roof and, after getting over the shock of seeing such an odd break-in, suggests a few ways of keeping your home secure.
1) Keeping your house in good repair is a great start. If an opportunist burglar can see an easy way to enter your home through a rotten window frame then all the better!

2) Don’t forget to close your upstairs windows as well as the downstairs ones – there are several reasons for the name ‘cat burglar’!

3) Always use good quality locks on doors and windows - they are often the first line of defence and are mandatory with some insurance companies.

4) If you are going away on holiday then ask a neighbour to pop in and pick up your post from the mat – post piling up is a clear giveaway that your house is vacant.

5) Park your car close up to your garage door – garage burglaries are extremely common as people store so many valuables in there as space is at a premium in the house.

6) Get your house alarm serviced regularly. Many people have alarms but don’t use them because they are worried about them going off and annoying the neighbours – if you look after your alarm it will look after you!

For more information and stories about Spettro visit www.spettro.net

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 launched a franchise recruitment campaign for Murcia Villas last month and within the first 48 hours they had received over 40 enquiries for their franchise package.

The campaign started with a series of online messages and later continued into national press opportunities with a write up in the Daily Mail in early May 2008.

Information about the Murcia Villas franchise can be found at www.murciavillas.com along with details about the business and how it all started several years ago.

“This franchise package suits individuals that want to improve their lifestyle and live in a warmer climate,” explains Sarah Dyer, founder of Coconut Creatives and Murcia Villas account handler. “I worked closely with Hugh and Fiona, owners of Murcia Villas to understand their business and the type of person that would be interested in this opportunity.”

With the first franchisees now operational, a second signed up and several other hot prospects booked to fly out to Spain for a tour of the possible franchise zones, the future of the business is very optimistic.  Initially, Sarah set realistic objectives for 2008 with Hugh and Fiona. “Having a solid and achievable set of objectives for any project is absolutely essential. The objectives act as mile stones to show how successful the project has been,” adds Sarah.

Coconut Creatives work with a range of owner managed businesses on a variety of projects to help achieve specific objectives. Visit www.coconutcreatives.co.uk to review some recent case studies and to find out what other clients think about the Coconut team.

Hugh and Fiona James outside their Murcia Villas office in Spain

Coconut Creatives was delighted to attend the Greats Awards with client, Shared Earth in London on 22nd May.

The Greats Awards set out to recognise not only the top independent and multiple gift retailers regionally and nationally but highlight many of the finest retailers in the UK and Shared Earth were short listed for the Best Multiple Retailer Award 2008.

“I am extremely pleased to be nominated as one of the 5 finalists for the Best Multiple Retailer Gifts category. I see this as recognition not just for Shared Earth, but for our staff and producers in over 30 countries,” comments Jeremy Piercy, founder of Shared Earth.

Shared Earth provided over 300 reusable jute bags to hold the goodies offered to each attendee on the evening to help spread the word about reusable bags. Coconut Creatives work with Shared Earth on a number of products including supporting the Daily Mail’s recent Banish the Bag campaign which aims to banish the use of plastic bags within the retail environment.

As well as being the UK’s largest independent retailer of non-food Fair Trade products, Shared Earth offer the best selection of recycled products, including bags made from crisp packets in bangladesh, toy cars made from tin cans in Madagascar, office stationery from computer boards in the UK, wall hangings from old saris in India and jewellery from recycled glass in Chile. With sales both on and offline via wholesale and retail channels, their marketing needs to have an integrated and targeted approach. Coconut Creatives has recently assisted in the set up of their second website www.sharedearthnewsandmedia.co.uk to deal with the large number of press enquiries and stories that have been generated through the PR campaign. All types of customers and business affiliates can now go to this website and find content relevant to them.

Late last year, Shared Earth also launched the first Fair Trade franchise in the UK which is capable of doubling the sales of independent non-food Fair Trade products sold nationally. This is an exciting development which has opened up the industry with a wealth of new opportunities for many individuals who wish to work for themselves in a fairly traded retail environment. Coconut Creatives continues to work with Shared Earth on a number of projects including franchise recruitment and PR. Watch out for their latest story featured in the Mail on Sunday on the 8th June.

Jeremy Piercy and Tammy Hullis proudly display two of their reusable jute bags at the Greats Awards on 22nd May 08.

The Coconut Creatives team attended the National Franchise Marketing Awards ceremony in London last Friday evening.

Coconut Creatives was pleased to attend the event with the Directors and Consultants from Franchise Your Business after assisting FYB on their stand at the International Franchise Exhibition in Olympia earlier that day.

Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Dyer was invited to sit on the top table with John Hancock, Managing Director of Venture Marketing who organise the event, the National Advertising Sales Manager of the Daily Mail and the the expert team of Judges for the evening. Included within the judging pannel was a Chartered Institute of Marketing representative.

The evening included hilarious commedy from Frankie Boyle and concluded with dancing and the three attending Coconuts; Sarah, Sally Butters and Chris Cook were pleased to be some of the last guests to leave, along with ARC Media’s Fiona and Sam!

Coconut Creatives Sarah and Sally with the Franchise Your Business team at the National Franchise Marketing Awards.