Chris Walker has recently joined Ed’s to run his Ed’s gardening business in Oxshott and surrounding areas. Chris comes to us with a lot of sound, practical business experience. We are sure he will apply this well to his new Ed’s gardening business.
We asked Chris for some background to his brand new Ed’s gardening business:-
The background…
“ For many years I played a very active part in the running of a sizeable and successful family business. We realised our goal of selling that business around two years ago. However, I stayed with the business for a period to help with the transition. Once the business was well and truly handed over, I started thinking about what I really wanted to do next. I was very fortunate to be in a position to have such a free rein to decide what to do. However, I was conscious that this was a great opportunity. That made it even more important to make the right choice.”
“I needed to take a systematic approach . So, I sat down and thought about what I really enjoyed in my previous job and also what I wished it had that it hadn’t! There was a clear tick in the box that I knew I really enjoyed running a business. I was good at working with customers and wanted to do something where the results were really measurable. On the minus side, I wasn’t getting enough time to spend with my young (and growing!) family.”
“I thought about a range of things but I kept coming back to how I would love to be gardening all day. The great outdoors has always held great appeal for me and I am happiest when I am physically active. I also wanted to run a proper business and didn’t really fancy starting from scratch. Whatever I did, I wanted it to be a quality business too.”
“My idea started to crystalise…a gardening franchise business was the way forward…”
Why an Ed’s garden franchise business…
“Fortunately, I happened to know another Ed’s business owner. I knew that he was really enjoying running his business and was happy with the decision he had made. Next, I contacted him and asked him to meet up for a chat. In the meantime, I read up on everything I could about Ed’s. I was impressed with their brand and the quality of everything I read online. When we met up, it was clear that he backed all this up and had never looked back since starting this business. I was more than happy to move on to the next stage. We then set up a meeting with Ed and the Office team.”
The decision-making process…
“I found the process really easy and I was pretty convinced even before going into the Office. The Ed’s set up is ambitious, professional and supportive and they have a great brand as well. When I met Ed, he was as I expected. He came over as very switched on and clearly focused on continuing to develop Ed’s but also approachable and likeable and, very importantly, practical. It struck a chord with me that he ran his own Ed’s gardening business on his first step of the journey. I got all the information and have followed the process to the letter but, to be perfectly honest, my mind was made up from the first meeting.”
“After I signed up, we started putting all the building blocks in place for my vehicle, kit, training etc. I have now gone live and what a brilliant time of year to be starting a gardening business!”
The future…
“Clearly my immediate plan is to get a really efficient Ed’s business up and running and performing well. On the longer term, I’m trying to keep an open mind but, I must say, I do like the idea of having a few teams of staff and running quite a sizeable outfit. I know the Ed’s business model can take me there. I’m also really looking forward to getting some life-work balance into my life and spending precious time with my young daughters. I’m happy to work really hard but I love the idea that I can work that to fit my personal commitments too. I am really happy that I’ve made my decision and I’m so looking forward to getting started properly and to getting to work in some gardens.”
We wish Chris all the very best with his brand new Ed’s gardening business.