Make it your 2010 resolution to squeeze all the fabulous benefits out of Coconut Oil that you can!

Coconut oil is extracted from the kernel or meat of matured coconut harvested from the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera). Throughout the tropical world it has provided the primary source of fat in the diets of millions of people for generations. It has various applications in food, medicine, and industry.

At Coconut Creatives, we use the goodness of Coconuts to benefit businesses!  We have a good start to 2010 with many client successes to boast of:

The buildings insurance claims management company Spettro have just celebrated the launch of ther 30th franchise in Bristol managed by Susan Massey.

“Sally and Sarah from Coconut Creatives have become very much a part of our team and part of our company. They have exceeded our expectations in pushing Spettro forward in so many ways and we are truly delighted with the progress that we have seen. We whole heartedly recommend them, they are not only a delight to work with but extremely professional and knowledgeable in marketing and public relations,” Jenny Smith, Co-director, Spettro Ltd

Innovative children’s entertainment company, Go-Kart Party are also looking back on a successful 2009 as over just the summer months they have had 10 franchise sales across a wide range of regions.  Founded by business entrepeneur Gerry Ussher, Go-Kart Party has plans to continue its national growth to open up access to Go-Karting experiences for children:

“Demand for parties across the UK is growing due to sporting icons like Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button and parents wanting to give their children the best parties and experiences possible.”

Coconut Creatives has also been working with Janine Eaglestone, founder of Woodland Dogs Ltd, to launch the brand new Woodland Dogs franchise operation which allows fellow animal lovers to run a profitable business from home.  She is already welcoming her first franchisee!

Despite the economic unrest over the past 18 months and pressure on retailers, Myakka has proved that doing business ethically pays dividends. In line with increasing sales the furniture and home accessories company has increased the support they give to their suppliers and their community in India. The Directors also opted to support their local community in Somerset by commencing the creation of a £25k community fund through the Somerset Community Foundation. Read more

Rosemary Bookkeeping have taken on their first 2 franchisees just weeks after launching their franchise with the help of Coconut Creatives. They now have 3 (including the pilot) and training scheduled for next week.

“Sarah and the team at Coconut have been extremely helpful to us from the start, they are very knowledgeable in the world of franchise marketing and have supported us tremendously in getting our name out there in the marketplace. I would recommend Coconut to anyone who is looking to boost their marketing efforts.” Lisa Curteis

FitKid launched the LazyTown element to their franchise and have expanded; with many new franchisees, more full-time staff, a brand new online shop and Bournemouth and Poole Lottery funding initiatives, Fitkid has been able to increase its efforts to help combat the frightening statistics on UK childhood obesity.

“FitKid has been working with Coconut Creatives for over four years and the results have been fantastic. We would definitely recommend Coconut Creatives to those companies wanting to take their franchise and business to the next level,” Mrs Nicky Kay, Development Director, FitKid Ltd

For more information about Coconut Creatives, please click here to contact us, or call on 01963 360896

Coconut Creatives have been working with Janine Eaglestone, founder of Woodland Dogs Ltd.  Janine and the Coconuts have been working together to launch the Woodland Dogs franchise operation which allows fellow animal lovers to run a profitable business from home.

Janine Eaglestone has managed to succeed when many others have failed before her in attempting to make money through working with animals.  Woodland Dogs Ltd was launched 5 years ago and she now generates in excess of £60K per year walking and caring for dogs.  Using her methodologies, systems and experience, others can now also learn how to run a successful, profitable and long term business with animals.

“I’m offering a fantastic lifestyle and profitable business venture.  Most people don’t know how to work with animals profitably, but I do.  You can learn Woodland Dogs’ unique systems and strategies through the training and support offered through this franchise opportunity” Janine says.

Janine is actively searching for franchisees who are skilled in customer care with great communication and organisation, franchisees who would love to become part of the Woodland Dogs team.

Some regular tasks for franchisees include:

• Visiting potential owners and their dogs
• Discussing their requirements and to ensure that the owner has a broad understanding of the costs
• Meeting the dogs to be walked in order to demonstrate compatibility
• Informing Woodland Dogs HO of those requirements and costs.
• Fulfilling the agreed contract with the owner
• Marketing the Woodland Dogs business locally
• Organising a diary of daily walks for owners’ dogs
• Picking up and dropping off dogs from their homes
• Walking different groups of dogs (6 – 12) two or three times a day in a safe and controlled environment.

Above all, Woodland Dogs franchisees offer exemplary service to dog owners and provide a safe, sociable and fun walking experience for the dogs in their care.

To find out more about this exciting opportunity and to request a prospectus or check availability within your area, please contact Janine Eaglestone on 07732 876092

For further information about how Coconut Creatives can assist you to launch or grow your franchise or business, please contact Sarah Cook at Coconut Creatives on 01963 360896

Coconut Creatives would like to announce the brand new addition to the team, Sophie Barford, who joined us this month and is working at the Head Office in Somerset.

Sophie is in training to be a consultant and is in the process of completing her CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) examinations.  Not long from now however the husk will be removed and the true marketing coconut inside will be revealed…(or she’ll just pass her exams and become qualified).

Sophie’s profile will be arriving soon on www.coconutcreatives.co.uk giving curious cats a chance to read all about her!

Coconut Creatives founders Sarah and Chris Cook are delighted to announce Peace One Day as the company’s official non-profit organisation that they wish to support.

Peace One Day is headed by Jeremy Gilley who has worked tirelessly for the last 10 years to establish 21 September as a day of global peace. Sarah and Chris met Jeremy recently at a Peace One Day fund raising event in London.

With support from famous names like Angelina Jolie, The Dalai Lama, Jude Law and Annie Lennox, Peace One Day has managed to raise much awareness. Jeremy has campaigned around the world to boost recognition and increase momentum of this official day of ceasefire and non-violence agreed by the United Nations.

“We cannot think of a better cause than to support a day of peace,” says Sarah Cook. “Wherever you live, everyone deserves peace, especially the children in war zones and those that have lived a lifetime of violence in fearful situations. If we can help to spread the awareness of 21 September, Peace Day, we help to save lives.”

“If we are to move from a culture of war to a culture of peace then we will have to unite around the most fundamental issue that humanity faces – the protection of each other and our environment,” says Jeremy Gilley, Founder of Peace One Day.

“21 September, Peace Day, is the starting point and I am delighted to have the support and commitment of Coconut Creatives in helping us raise awareness. Our call to action is ‘What will you do to make peace on 21 September?”

Please make your commitment at wwww.peaceoneday.org and mark 21 September on your calendar to include yourself in this global day of peace.

Coconut Creatives will again be offering free one2one marketing clinics at this years Franchise Marketing Conference on 17th September. Held in Birmingham, this annual event gives franchisors a chance to have their marketing and franchise recruitment campaigns reviewed by a leading industry franchise marketing specialist from Coconut Creatives.

Whether you have an existing campaign that could do with an outside opinion or you are looking to start from scratch, why not book a place on the free clinic. Franchise Marketing Specialists from Coconut Creatives will be on hand during the day to share some handy hints and tips on creating a successful franchise marketing strategy.

Headed up by Chartered Marketer’s Sarah and Christopher Cook, Coconut Creatives specialises in servicing the franchise sector with marketing solutions. “Any franchised business has a much more complicated business structure,” explains Sarah Cook. “It is vital that all the stakeholders involved with the business are communicated with in a clear and consistent manner and this includes prospective franchisees. This is the key to a successful franchise recruitment campaign.”

“The workshops offer the opportunity for attendees to take away something they can implement back in the office and if they get stuck, they can pick up the phone and ask us a question,” explains Coconut Creatives founder Sarah Cook.

Spaces are very limited due to a small number of ‘Coconuts’ being available on the day for 30 minute consultations so it is advisable to pre-book your slot. By pre-booking, you will be able to send copies of your adverts and any marketing plans you are following to the Coconut Team, so that they can be reviewed before the day. This gives franchisors the chance to obtain more detailed feedback and to discuss some possible solutions.

For further information about Coconut Creatives services or to reserve a space on one of the forthcoming free clinics email Sarah Cook at sarah@coconutcreatives.co.uk or visit http://www.franchiseinfo.co.uk/fmc/ for more information about guest speakers at the conference.

With a broad client base covering most of the UK, Coconut Creatives experience is vast in achieving results within the filming sector, franchising, fine foods, fair trade and the leisure industry. Being active members of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and assisting the development of marketing throughout the south west region, their team has worked on projects with brand names such as Harry Potter, Sunseeker, Revlon, Raleigh & FitKid.
Coconut Creatives founder, Sarah Cook was approached by Business Franchise Magazine Editor, Alison Ledger to write a piece on best practice. The featured article focused on how franchisors can assist their franchisees in marketing, with a range of Coconut client examples used.

With the Glasgow Franchise show fast approaching, franchising is high on the public agenda. There is no wonder why, when it is said that 1 in 2 business start ups fail while the risk of getting into business by buying a franchise is significantly lower.

To find out about the Glasgow Franchise Show or get a copy of Business Franchise Magazine visit http://www.franchiseinfo.co.uk/other-pages/magazine

Hello, Yellow!!

Coconut Creatives directors Sarah and Chris Cook were delighted to discover that the colour that represents the Coconut Creatives brand, has been named ‘Colour of the Year 2009′!

Pantone Inc declared that Mimosa: the bright optimistic yellow, that Coconut Creatives use, will be the colour of this year! Yellow exemplifies the warmth and nurturing quality of the sun, properties we humans are naturally drawn to for reassurance.

The Coconut Creatives team certainly believe in its qualities to cheer up any exhibition hall or event they attend!

Franchise marketing specialists, Coconut Creatives embarked on a special kind of photo shoot recently with a ‘Charlie’s Angels’ theme to celebrate their growth.

The now six strong Coconut team consists of Directors Sarah and Christopher Cook and Marketing Specialists Sally Butters, Victoria Bel Gil and Sharon Kennedy along with Coconut in training, Stephanie Randell.

After an exceptionally busy year, the Coconuts went without a Christmas party. Now that the business has expanded with two new team members, the Directors decided it was time to celebrate and reward everyone’s hard work. “It is always very important to us that dedication and hard work is rewarded. Our team demonstrates exceptional levels of detail and commitment to each and every client account and we wanted to reward this in some small way,” explains Christopher Cook.

“The photo shoot was a lot of fun,” says Sarah who founded Coconut Creatives to offer specialist marketing advice to owner managed businesses and franchisors. “We also organised the shoot to capture images of the six of us together that we can use on our website and in literature in the future,” Sarah adds.

Just hours after Sarah and Stephanie had returned from a client’s book launch event in York, the Coconut party started with the photo shoot, followed by bubbly, nibbles and later a meal at Truffles Restaurant.

Newest Coconut, Sharon Kennedy started in January 2009 and has been working on client accounts with Sarah, Sally and Chris. “This really is a fantastic team of people to work with and I am looking forward to meeting more clients in the coming months,” says Sharon.

Coconut Creatives assist many franchisors with franchise recruitment, overall marketing and PR strategy. “Quite simply we have been very pleased in the work they have carried out for us,” explains Hugh James, Director for Murcia Villas and Resort Morocco.  “There has been an absolute commitment from the start to understand our particular business, establish how we could improve on our brand awareness and assist in completing the objectives of our franchise recruitment plan. All of which was achieved in 2008 and therefore we look forward to continuing our business relationship with Coconut Creatives throughout 2009.”

“We are honoured and delighted to be working with so many excellent and exciting franchise brands,” says Sarah Cook. “It has always been our goal to offer a professional franchise marketing service covering the areas of franchise recruitment, company branding and business development. And because we keep our consultancy fees low, our clients can afford to work with us over the long term, plus we occasionally get to let our hair down and throw a party!”

Coconut Creatives will again be offering free one 2 one consultancy clinics at this years Franchise Marketing Conference on the 17th September 2009. For further information about Coconut Creatives services or to reserve a space on one of the forthcoming free clinics email Sarah Cook at sarah@coconutcreatives.co.uk or visit www.coconutcreatives.co.uk

Franchise marketing specialists, Coconut Creatives has been involved in a number of exciting projects over the last year. Many of these projects could not be publicised due to confidentiality agreements, yet here for the first time, some details can be disclosed!

FitKid, who announced the launch of FIVE new franchisees just before Christmas is now entering its third year of working with Coconut Creatives. The Coconut team work with FitKid on a number of projects including franchise recruitment campaigns and franchisee training, to assist them in achieving their objectives and offer fun fitness classes to help combat childhood obesity.

This week, Coconut Creatives assisted FitKid to send out its ‘breaking news’ of its latest strategic partnership with the international brand LazyTown. Its creator Magnus Scheving, appeared live on BBC Breakfast to launch the new partnership between FitKid and LazyTown, on Wednesday 7th January.

Nicky, Managing Director of FitKid comments “We really enjoy working with Coconut Creatives because they understand what we want to achieve and offer such fantastic support. They are not only our franchise marketing arm; they have become good friends and trusted associates.”

Later this month, Coconut Creatives founder Sarah Cook and her colleague franchise marketing specialist Sally Butters will be speaking to the national franchise network for Spettro Ltd, at their first annual franchisee seminar in Birmingham. Spettro are now in their second year of working with Coconut Creatives and have helped take Spettro from 2 franchisees to over 20 in 12 months.

Jenny Smith, Co-director at Spettro comments “Sally and Sarah from Coconut Creatives have become very much a part of our team and part of our company. They have exceeded our expectations in pushing Spettro forward in so many ways and we are truly delighted with the progress that we have seen. We wholeheartedly recommend them, they are not only a delight to work with but extremely professional and knowledgeable in marketing and public relations.”

Just days after returning from her South African honeymoon in September ‘08, Sarah Cook was back on the plane, this time to Morocco on a site visit for franchisor client, Murcia Villas, a successful property management company based in Spain. This month sees the expansion of Murcia Villas with Resort Morocco and the first franchisee for Morocco is already on board and working in Saidia.

“Coconut Creatives assists us in our franchise recruitment, overall marketing and PR strategy. Quite simply we have been very pleased in the work they have carried out for us. There has been an absolute commitment from the start to understand our particular business, establish how we could improve on our brand awareness and assist in completing the objectives of our franchise recruitment plan. All of which was achieved in 2008 and therefore we look forward to continuing our business relationship with Coconut Creatives throughout 2009,” explains Hugh James, Director for Murcia Villas and Resort Morocco.

“We are honoured and delighted to be working with so many excellent and exciting franchise brands,” says Sarah Cook. “It has always been our goal to offer a professional franchise marketing service covering the areas of franchise recruitment, company branding and business development. And because we keep our consultancy fees low, our clients can afford to work with us over the long term.”

Coconut Creatives will again be offering free one 2 one consultancy clinics at this years Franchise Marketing Conference on the 17th September. For further information about Coconut Creatives services or to reserve a space on one of the forthcoming free clinics email Sarah Cook at sarah@coconutcreatives.co.uk

Coconut Creatives Ltd like to announce the arrival of our latest new Coconut, Stephanie Randell who joined us before Christmas and works at the head office in Somerset.

Stephanie’s profile will be arriving soon at www.coconutcreatives.co.uk giving nosey people an opportunity to read all about her. We hope you have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and if you’re feeling the January blues, why not take advantage of a Travel Lodge special offer we came across and book up a weekend away for £9 a night, bargain!