Franchises for Couples UK XPress Legal

Suzanne Allen has just been named ‘Newcomer of the Year’ by her franchisor X-Press Legal Services Limited and was chosen ahead of over 40 franchises from across the country.  

Originally from Plymouth in Devon, Suzanne previously spent her working days buying, sourcing and developing designs with manufactures locally, nationally and internationally.  

Now she spends her days researching visiting councils, processing electronic searches and doing research for any searches the following day.

Suzanne, who graduated form Leicester De Montfort University with a degree in Design Management, decided to take up a position with a large high-street childrenswear retailer as a Trainee Buyer where she worked for 3 year’s. During this time Suzanne met her husband Charlie, and they moved to Oxfordshire which has proven to be beneficial to both.

Suzanne continued to develop her career and gained over 13 year’s experience working and buying in different markets including gift retail and homeswear and spent her weeks travelling extensively. Visiting factories all across the world including the UK, China, India, Vietnam and Indonesia

She comments: “Life as a buyer was one of high pressure, long days, late nights and extensive travel sometimes for weeks at a time; flexible working is just not a serious option.”

She continues: “When Charlie bought the franchise it was always with the thought that I would look to join the business at a later date. However with the end of my maternity leave just around the corner, I came to the realisation that I couldn’t just get up and leave my child for anything up to a week at a time.”

“I made the decision that it was time for a change and that I should leave my high pressured job as a buyer behind me. I decided that, in 2009, it was the right time for me not only to join the franchise but take on an active role in running and driving the business forward.”

Suzanne added: “Running the franchise gives me the ability to plan my own day and work flexibly around my son. So many employers still do not want to entertain flexible working and many intelligent educated experienced women end up either compromising their family life or dropping out of mainstream employment altogether.”
    
“The beauty of X-Press Legal Services is that you can start off working from a home office which minimises initial overheads with the view to grow at your own pace. I am able to regulate the hours that I work allowing me to work flexibly around the needs of my family.”

“The franchise allows you to be your own boss but at the same time provides you with unrivalled marketing support and regular on-going training. There is always someone to offer help and advice if you have a problem or meet a situation you haven’t encountered before, which is especially important when you first set up a business in something you’ve never done before.”

“X-Legal Services provides a business to business service that involves dealing with professional clients, a low risk proven business model and a first class product which results in regular repeat business.”

Clients, including solicitors, specialist HIP providers and other conveyancing professionals all provide Suzanne with a high volume but not mass market business.  

She continues: “I like a good mystery and will go the extra mile to find out as much as I can for a client. Having sat on the other side of the fence for 13 years I have a pretty good idea what a client looks for in a supplier, exceptional product quality and friendly efficient service and I strive to deliver this.”

Suzanne concluded: “Being nominated and awarded Newcomer of the Year’ is a fantastic achievement and the whole network of franchises are highly committed to their businesses. I am looking forward to the challenges that may face me in 2010.”

X-Press Legal Services Limited was set up in 2000 and launched as a franchise in October, 2005. X-Press Legal Limited specialises in providing property searches and reports for solicitors and other professional conveyancers.

Franchisee case study – Suzanne Allen
West Oxfordshire, Cherwell, Aylesbury, South Bedfordshire