Martin Nicholas ACMA, had always worked in finance, with various financial and management accounting roles within the public and private sector. Like many, Martin became disillusioned at putting so much commitment and dedication into many roles, working long hours and going that extra mile, for very little reward.
He had often considered running his own business, and decided that it was about time that he started reaping some of the benefits of his own hard work and take control of his destiny, rather than do things the way the organisations he worked for demanded.
He joined TaxAssist Accountants in 2015 and operates his franchise from shops in Worcester & Bromsgrove.
What initially attracted you to becoming a TaxAssist franchisee?
I was keen to join TaxAssist Accountants to be my own boss. I’d always had the desire to run my own business and I relished the opportunity to build a business and be successful. TaxAssist would support me with the help that I needed in order to initiate a start-up as a sole trader, with the expertise and advice on hand to help with the smooth running of the business.
I liked the idea of the 'TaxAssist family', with everyone supporting each other, with a genuine mutual goal to achieve for all concerned.
How has being a part of the franchise helped you to grow your practice?
For me, there have been a range of successful components. The branding, the marketing and technical support, the training for myself and my staff and the various toolkits and initiatives have all played a huge part in helping me to grow the practice.
What do you think differentiates TaxAssist from the competition?
There really is a very strong family feel within TaxAssist, a culture which extends all the way through the franchise from the Directors and Support Centre staff through to my fellow franchisees.
The TaxAssist branding and messaging is strong, with our small business specialism offering a local service with national support – win-win for both me and my clients.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy a TaxAssist Accountants franchise?
Don’t be scared to give it a go. Trust in the TaxAssist system and their processes and support – it works!
Work hard and reap the benefits.
What has the training and support from TaxAssist Accountants been like?
It really has been excellent. A good variety of sources to choose from; webinars, face-to-face, in-house courses and BPP run courses. They have all provided great support.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so, how?
It has been a busy time, and hard work, but you don’t get anywhere without grafting! You get out what you put in and it is worth it.
Running the business does get more manageable with time, and growth is constant.
What are your plans for the future?
I will be looking to expand the business. We have just obtained a new shop in Bromsgrove in a new franchise area, so the intention is to double in size. We are starting from scratch here again, so it will take time, but it will be worth it, plus we’ll gain economies of scale too.
Any other comments you would like to provide?
It is quite an undertaking in terms of commitment and financial investment, but TaxAssist are brilliant in their support.
It is worth making that commitment and with such strong back-up and well-known national branding, you will be successful and get to where you want to be.