Steve Frise, Esher, Walton, Byfleet and Weybridge

Maybe life really does begin at 40.  All I know is that, at the age of 39, the brakes had been put on any further progress in my career as a salesman within the motor industry and I needed to move on.

In just under a year, I have exceeded all my expectations for a fruitful, enjoyable career by joining Ed’S Garden Maintenance.  In fact, I’m delighted to be in a very lucky position where my business is already able to support the whole family, giving my wife the opportunity to consider leaving her job at Sainsburys, something that I had not previously been able to do.  Although, I’m sure we would miss the discount we currently get on the shopping bill!

I invested some of my savings in starting the franchise which offers prompt, reliable and efficient one-off and regular garden maintenance services.  The ethos behind the franchise is to provide a solid investment opportunity to operators, yet with flexibility and guidance, and that is exactly what it does. 

I was pleased with the relatively low start-up costs and was confident of success, as I was given the support needed in accountancy, marketing, business management and training.

I am a naturally cautious person, so starting and growing my own successful business was a huge leap for me.  I had worked my way up from a van driver to managing a team of eight people at a motor business in Surrey, but I was unfulfilled.  After twenty years in the motor industry, I felt the need for a change in direction.  Maybe hitting the big 40 had something to do with that.  I wanted to take responsibility for my own destiny, and spend time with my wife and three children.  I searched for different franchise options on the internet and found Ed’s.  I have always enjoyed gardening, and I love the great outdoors, and as a franchisee of Ed’s Garden Maintenance, I’m truly set-up to deliver a prompt, reliable service and I’ve become a friendly face in the community.

Sarah Whaley, South West and Central London

I joined Ed’S Garden Maintenance in 2007 and I haven’t looked back. 

Having moved from Zimbabwe in 2002, I studied for a BSc Hons degree in Landscape and Garden Design at Writtle College in Essex before joining the tobacco industry as a sales representative. Although I benefitted from the training we received in sales, I was not inspired by the products nor the dying market.

I have a real passion for gardening, plants and growing and I am a member of the Royal Horticultural Society. I was looking to make a living out of gardening and becoming self employed meant I would be in control of my earnings. Joining Ed's took a lot of the risk out of starting out on my own, because of the support offered and initial guarantee of work.

I read about Ed’S in an antipodean magazine.  Initially, I was concerned as to whether I would cope with the physical work as the article in the magazine was from the viewpoint of a great big Australian chap!  The job is all about having the right tools however, and we have been encouraged to invest in top of the range equipment which makes almost any job do-able, and gives me complete reliability for my regular maintenance customers. As this is my own business, I plan to go on to develop my love of garden design in the future as well as continuing with the maintenance.

The experiences of being my own boss have made me more resilient, more organised and inspired me to challenge myself in many other ways. I love to see the look on my customers’ faces when I’ve finished a garden clearance, and equally love the difference we can make over longer periods of time with regular maintenance work, when we have time to really bring out the character of the garden.

This year I have taken the step to take on a full time employee which has enabled me to get through more work, but has also made each job more enjoyable as there is someone to share the heavy lifting with! I have already approached Ed, the founder of the business, and let him know that I want to invest some of my profits in putting a second vehicle on the road and expand my business slowly. Ultimately I would like to manage and train a small team of enthusiastic people and ensure that everyone who joins my team feels they are getting more than a salary from their work. Ed's has taught me that it is important to challenge people and give them responsibility and training, and I look forward to the expansion, albeit slow and steady, of my business.

Ben Sharman, South London

I’m Ben.  I’m 28, single and living in South London.

I joined Ed’S three months ago, and all I can say is: I wish I had done it 5 years ago!

In just three months, I have earned the equivalent of a young administrator’s salary.
But, this has come about because of the hard work and long hours that I choose to put into my business.

I have always wanted to own a small business, and gain the satisfaction and stimulation of being independent, creative in my own area of work and, of course, to be my own boss and not have to deal with petty office politics and bureaucracy.

Gardening seemed to me, to be the right choice.  I would often work in my parents’ garden, mowing the lawn or pruning the apple trees.  Now, I’m clearing gardens, tidying and maintaining run-down gardens, mowing lawns and generally helping my customers to achieve the gardens they always wanted.  76% of the population see gardening as a chore, so I take away that burden.

Giving up the security of a salary was probably the most daunting aspect of starting my own business.  But, the risk is limited due to the ongoing support of Ed’S and the initial guarantee of work.

The change from an office job to an outdoor, more physical, job has meant that I am fitter and healthier than ever now.  And, I can’t help noticing how many young, single women are in need of my services – which is a bonus!

Lindsay Carver, Bristol and South West

My name is Lindsay Carver and I run an Ed’S Garden Maintenance franchise in Bristol and its surrounding areas.  My services include lawn-mowing, hedge-cutting, turfing, general gardening and more.

I am keen to quickly develop an enjoyable and growing business that will see me through to an early retirement.  With Ed’S, I believe I can do just that.

As a past-Rugby player and now the coach of a local team, my love of the great outdoors has always stayed with me.  I’ve been employed in large organisations for most of my working life, but the restrictions of a corporate life finally took their toll and I decided to set up my own business.  Gardening seemed the perfect choice!

I researched a number of franchise opportunities and I attended a number of exhibitions specialising in franchise businesses.  When I finally found Ed’S Garden Maintenance online, I was impressed with the amount of support, training and advice provided at a relatively low-cost and low-risk.  I felt that the other franchises did not offer the breadth of support and services.

I now deliver a whole host of garden maintenance services and, within just one month, I’m well on my way to establishing the business as a reliable, trustworthy and friendly face within the community.  In fact, I’m already considering employing local talent!

I’m really pleased to be part of Ed’S.  All of the Ed’S operators are motivated and dedicated to their success.  Plus, we’re all delighted by our healthier lifestyles that a garden business seems to attribute to.

Rodney Collett, Clapham, Tooting, Malden, Wimbledon

Just over 5 years ago, I moved from South Africa where I owned and cultivated more than two acres of land to provide vegetables and accommodation to backpackers and other visitors.  So, it seems fitting to me that I have returned to the great outdoors as an Ed’S Garden Maintenance operator.

Previously, I had worked as a carpenter and handyman in the UK, originally with the department store, Selfridges, and most recently with a smaller company.  At Selfridges, I would build shop and window displays and as a handyman, I would take on a range of roles.  In fact, I was part of the team that fixed-up Heather Mills’ flat when she split from Paul McCartney – but I only realised that by glancing at the post one day!

The handyman jobs were interesting, always different and often unique.  But, I could not see any future prospects and I wanted to think ahead, so I began to consider new opportunities.  On www.gumtree.com, I found Ed’S Garden Maintenance.  At first, I thought it was too good to be true.  The idea that I could be up and running with my own business in such a short period of time seemed unreal.

The opportunity was explained and then I was left to consider my response.  I took my time and weighed-up all the pros and cons.  I was a little worried about the amount of work that I would be presented with, but Ed’S manages the incoming customers and I soon realised that there would be a healthy balance.  Now, I have plenty of referrals from current customers and new leads from Ed’S as and when I need them.

I was also worried about the administration side of the business as it is not my forte.  Again, with support and encouragement, I am able to handle this side of the business – and I tend to leave it for a really rainy day, so it doesn’t even interfere with my outdoor work.

Eighteen months on, and I have exceeded my expectations for growth in the first year, by ten-fold.  I have earned back my initial investment and I am now working with suppliers and partners to generate even more work when needed.  Like any self-made business, you get out of it as much as you put into it, so it can give you a good life/work balance as soon as you have got your feet off the ground.  And, when I feel the time is right, I will be looking to employ someone just like me!

Clive Edmonds, Teddington and Twickenham and surrounding areas

It’s been an interesting year for me!  In just ten months, I’ve managed to turn my career into something that I enjoy and that I have become really good at.

I tried to set up my own gardening business before joining Ed’S Garden Maintenance as an Operator, but I found that tough because I was spending so much time on things that I didn’t really enjoy, such as marketing, advertising etc and these things took me away from the actual gardening.  Now Ed’S runs that side of the business and generates customers as and when I need them, so I can get on with tending to people’s gardens.

Joining Ed’S has enabled me to take the business to a higher level and accelerate growth due to the supporting framework, the expertise and advice that is given.  Being part of something bigger makes all the difference as far as I’m concerned.

Having said all of that, I’m more than able to keep myself busy with the regular customers that I have.  I’ve managed to stay consistently busy, even in deepest winter.  I was on a garden clearance job on Christmas Eve and laid my most successful lawn on January 3, dispelling the myth that there isn’t much gardening to do in the middle of the winter.  Perhaps climate change is extending to the British gardening year!

Guy Lilford, Sutton, Kingston and Croydon areas

I’m 25 years old and this year, I got married, safe in the knowledge that I had a blooming business behind me.  Joining Ed’S has secured my confidence to move forward with my life, succeed in business and continue to achieve my goals and ambitions.

I grew up on a farm and my father is a keen gardener.  You can imagine how proud he is of me now!  I knew that an indoor job would never suit me.  Ex-army serving with the Army Air Corps and a previous employee of a garden services company in South London, I’ve always been hard-working and a real outdoors-type.

I’m servicing the Sutton, Kingston, Croydon and surrounding areas, and within just a few months, I’m already making my mark.  Working for myself, I have my own high standards to live up to …… and I’ve been able to add my own personal touch to the gardens that I service, which has impressed customers no-end.

When you undertake a franchise operation, you always will feel that there is a risk.  But, the risk factor is greatly reduced when you join Ed’S as you are offered so much support, training, advice and a guarantee of work when you start.  Taking big steps in life can make you feel nervous, but for reassurance -  I recommend any potential operator to do some research, weigh-up the pros and cons, talk in depth to the chosen franchise operator and then go ahead and take that chance.

My plans for the future are to make myself known to as many people as possible by advertising and sponsoring events in the community and spreading the name of Ed’S, with a guarantee of timely, professional and quality services.  With Ed’S support, I’ll also be ahead of the game when it comes to skills and knowledge!

Tim Keys, Worcester Park, Epsom, Sutton, Banstead and surrounding areas

Tim lives in Worcester Park, Surrey and has worked in IT support for over 20 years. In July 2008 his role came to an end when he was offered redundancy as part of his company's reorganisation.  

Tim saw Ed's as an opportunity to branch out on his own and decided to set up his own business ready for when his redundancy became effective.  Although Tim had often been given the option to work from home, he had also been a victim of internal office politics which he found tiresome alongside more and more frequent commuting which left him office-bound in London much of the time.

Tim says, "I saw redundancy as an opportunity for freedom.  I was listening to Radio Jackie and heard an advertisement for Ed'S Garden Maintenance, a provider of garden maintenance services in Southern England.  I had done quite a lot of physical work myself in the garden, including fencing, paving, strimming and mowing and I enjoy being outdoors, so I decided to see what Ed'S had to offer." 

Initially, Tim was presented with a clear and concise breakdown of what was expected from him as a franchise operator and Tim took advantage of the on-site work experience offered so that he could clearly understand the role. 

Tim continues, "I researched a number of franchise opportunities, and got plenty of advice from franchise organisations, as well as feedback from some of Ed'S other operators.  The financial investment was reasonable, and there is an initial guarantee of work from Ed'S when you start which I found quite supportive, so I signed on the dotted line." 

Tim took advantage of information from organisations such as the British Franchise Organisation www.thebfa.org  and the franchise section of his daily newspaper. 

"What I love about this job is that you can see the evidence of your hard work," he says.  "There is an instant gratification and it is a worthwhile service that I'm offering.  My plan to grow my business and please customers at this early stage is to turn up when I say I will, keep promises and build trust and loyalty within the community.  And, as time goes on, I will learn more and more about developing a growing business, learn new skills in gardening, look for enthusiastic people to join me and to continue to feel a valued member of the local workforce."

In just a few weeks since starting his own business Tim's confidence has grown and so has his client base - way beyond expectation.  Tim has been in constant work with new requests for quotes and appointments becoming a regular feature of his day.  Tim is confident of a great future providing high quality, reliable, garden maintenance services across the area.

At a time when redundancy is becoming an ever present threat for many, Tim's positive approach is clear evidence that redundancy can present an opportunity to make a really positive lifestyle change and even allow for new career that may never have been possible before.

Jon Bristow, East and West Sussex

Jon Bristow is 39 and lives in Newick, East Sussex.  Earlier this year, he moved back to the UK after selling the hotel  he  had been running with his family in Austria.  “I didn’t want to go back to an office job and, having been self-employed for 18 years, didn’t actually think anyone would employ me!”  He had really enjoyed the outdoor lifestyle he had led and felt that working outdoors – and gardening in particular – was the obvious choice.

When choosing a gardening franchise, he looked at Ed’s and other competitors.  “I felt that the Ed’s franchise offered more general garden maintenance services, rather than just lawn mowing, which would give me more scope than the others could offer”.  He also found Ed’s to be very flexible and was impressed with the level of support, training and advice they offer, not to mention the guaranteed work, which would really take the pressure off him when first starting up.

So far, the high level of new enquiries that has come through Ed’s has been consistent.  Jon is certain that Ed’s will give him a better work/life balance.  “My goal is to build up a good, regular client base and take it from there.”

Michael Smith, Petersfield, Hampshire

My story will probably be no different to many others you will hear given our current economic climate.  Since leaving university I have worked in Finance and for the past 3 years in Recruitment.  Just after the birth of my second child in March I was made redundant and faced the surprisingly harsh job market like many others at this time.

This though has given me a fantastic opportunity to combine my love for the outdoors with the desire to run my own business – Eds Garden Maintenance.  Eds is a very successful franchise that has been operating for over 5 years predominantly in the London area.  I am extremely excited to be able to bring Eds to Hampshire. 

I have been up and running now for a short while and have been overwhelmed by the support and encouragement from my neighbours in Herne Farm, Petersfield  – Thank You.  My business’s success will come from providing a prompt, reliable and professional service which to date my customers have feedback is more than being achieved.

Given where we live – surrounded by the South Downs, why not grab a small piece of that beauty within your own home environment.   This is where Eds comes into its own.  All year round there are numerous jobs that we can do for you in order for you to realize this without having to do the hard work yourselves. ….for example
Spring/Summer – Lawn and hedge cutting, garden clearance and tidy ups, patio and drive cleaning
Autumn/Winter – Scarifying and aerating lawns, leaf collection and clearance, gutter and fascia cleaning

Nick Fellows, Brighton and Hove, Sussex

After six years working in the Midlands I decided to make Brighton my home.  Joining Ed’s Garden Maintenance has presented the ideal opportunity for me to develop my enjoyment of gardening and the outdoors and to provide a new, high quality service to the community in Brighton and Hove.

Throughout my working life I have been committed to providing top quality customer care and delivering a service to fulfil or exceed expectations.  I believe that customers deserve a really good value service, but most importantly a job well done.  This leads to recommendation to friends and colleagues – the best endorsement any business can have. 

My service is suitable both for one-off or regular maintenance of domestic gardens as well as for commercial customers.  Garden maintenance services is a year round occupation – there is always something to be done in any garden whatever the season!