Thames Valley Franchise Show
| Published: 5th September 2008 00:24 |
The show started on Thursday 4th September (evening 5.30pm - 8.00pm) and all day Friday 5th September 2008 (opening at 9.00am) at the Madejski Stadium, Reading.
Free admittance - no tickets required. Early arrivals on both of the days could pick up loads of introductory offers 
on start up business essentials in the business start up bags issued at reception.
45 franchises - all with licenses available for the towns in the Thames Valley area - have chosen to exhibit to impress those visitors who have ever fancied running their own business.
The event taps into the increasing demand of people thinking "out of the box" for their career choices.
All of us are familiar with current phrases doing the rounds such as "under pressure at work", "economic slowdowns" and "work/life balance" - and almost all of us has at least once sat there during a daily commute and daydreamed of running our own little business; creating our own working hours, our own choice of holiday entitlement. And, of course, being the boss.
Video: Franchise Show
But the tricky bit is actually starting the business. Especially in times of finance credit crunches and economic slowdowns. And that's where franchising comes in.
It's the half way house of running your own show - and considered a safer way to start your own business. If you buy into a franchise, you buy into a family. A recognised brand, a support team and - most importantly - you buy into a ready made, step by step guide on how to set up that particular business.
Video: Mark Monument Job Done Marketing & Promotions LLP
Someone has done the trailblazing for you, and you can follow in the slipstream.
The bad bit? The franchised company wants you to pay them for doing all that blazing of trails. 
The good bit? The High Street Banks will probably back you - even in this post credit crunch era.
Go to a high street bank with your own business plan, wearing your best suit and rehearsing a dragons' den style pitch is all fine - but the bank knows, statistically speaking, your own big idea has an 80% chance of failing inside two years.
But tell the bank you need money for a franchise...and they might just be getting the chequebook out whilst you still asking for a white coffee with two sugars. The banks know that franchising has an 80% success rate.
So with the money side sorted out, all the exhibition visitors have to do is choose a business they fancy running. How about hosting kids parties? Jewellery retailer? Home based estate agency? Mobile Deli? Caravan repairs? Fitness clubs for girls? - all businesses on show at the show.
Video: Franchise Show
Organisers have structured the event to focus on different franchise categories over the course of its duration - meaning visitors can attend specialist seminars; examples include a session for working mums who need flexible working hours, a demo area aimed at motor based franchises and advice clinics for ex senior management looking to turn from employee to employer.
Full details of exhibitors on the show website 
What do you think?
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