David sets up his Tunbridge Wells gardening business
David Ross has just joined Ed’s to run his gardening business in Royal Tunbridge Wells. With very strong business experience and a real drive to run a good business, we are sure that David will do very well with his new venture.
David shares a few thoughts with us on his decision to join Ed’s…
My background
“I’ll tell you a bit about how I went from sales management to running my own Ed’s gardening business. I had spent many years working in sales management in a visual communications business. I had the classic “good job” scenario. However, the flip side was that I also had all the stresses and corporate issues that go with the territory. I had got to a stage where I just wasn’t fulfilled and I wanted to do something else for my physical and mental wellbeing.
My job criteria
I really wanted to feel excited about my job – my next job had to be something that I wanted to get up for in the morning. Because I’ve always loved the outdoors and, particularly doing practical, physical work in a natural environment, running my own gardening business seemed like a good option for me. Also, my neighbours frequently joke about the time I spend cutting back and tending the wooded area beside the estate where I live. Those who know me well say it’s been clear that I’ve been a frustrated gardener for a long time. I just had to realise it!
The selection process
When I started thinking about alternative careers, it was obvious the type of work I enjoyed. I focussed my research on relevant businesses. I found out about Ed’s early on in my search and was immediately impressed by the quality of their online presence. Indeed, I was also impressed with the initial communication regarding the details of the franchise. When I moved on to talk with the Ed’s office team, this was only reinforced. The Ed’s team were friendly, professional and very knowledgeable. They also had a clear passion for the business. I could see that the signs were all very good. I also knew for sure that I wanted to move on to the next stage and find out more.
Face to face meeting
I came in to meet with Ed with my wife and we were both very impressed with the quality of the franchise business. We were also struck by the professional but friendly and frank way it was all presented to us. I can spot a hard sell a mile away, given my background, and with Ed’s the feeling we got was quite the opposite. To be honest, it was very refreshing. The clear message I got was that of ‘take your time and work out if it’s right for you.’
My next steps
We learned lots about my potential gardening business and I felt really keen to go ahead. However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t feel trepidation about jacking in my job. I was quite open about that after the meeting. The feedback I got from Ed’s was that they wholeheartedly agreed that the timing had to be right for me, it was crucial to me getting the best possible start to running my business. No pressure, no negativity, just a ‘let us know if/when the time is right’.
My timing
Over the following months, we kept in touch and I kept thinking about Ed’s and what it would be like to be part of the team. I knew everything stacked up for me about Ed’s, it was just finding the courage to make the leap. Early summer this year I realised that it was time to move forward.
Getting out on the job
The next stage was to me to go out with an established Ed’s Operator to get a good insight into what Ed’s was really like. I went out with Bob, who runs his business in Horsham. Bob previously worked in risk management so he was a really good person to talk to! I had a field day (excuse the pun!) on my day out. He is a great guy who is running a fabulous business. What’s more, he has a lot of passion for what he does. We share a corporate background and we clicked right away. Again, I felt I could ask any question, nothing was too daft.
Bob even let me loose on a lawn (with close vigilance!) and was really pleased with my work. Even if I say so myself, my stripes weren’t half bad for a new guy on his work experience day!
A Tunbridge Wells gardening business was born!
In a nutshell, I knew my hunch was right after my day out. I had been in my element. I made my mind up to definitely go for it and the rest of the joining process ran like clockwork. Having gone through the remaining steps, I came in to the office and signed my contract. My Ed’s business was born!
Now I’m all ready to go with my business and I am really looking forward to getting started. Of course, I still feel a little bit apprehensive. However, when I speak to Ed’s Operators who have only been going a few months and are already going great guns, I feel absolutely fine. I know that will be me in a few months time! The main thing is that I am totally reassured by the fact that I know that I am in extremely safe hands.”
Ed’s wishes David all the very best with his new venture.