Simply Summer!

Joanne who runs our Lancashire office made this lovely video encompassing some of her favourite weddings of this summer so far... there are lots more weddings and events still to dress!

Click here: Summer 2014

Simply a Franchise in Focus: Alex who runs our Harrogate office

 I am Alexandra Stead and I cover the Harrogate Area, My venues include, Rudding Park, Wood Hall, Goldsborough Hall, Allerton Castle, and all the Harrogate Town Centre Hotels.

I was trained in Hotel Catering and Institutional Management and worked in hotels at home and abroad. I always enjoyed dealing with the customers and the fact that no two days were the same. Latterly I worked in a variety of small businesses being involved closely in the day to day running of the operation.

 I had known Sarah a number of years and was a huge admirer of her drive and enthusiasm as well as her business acumen. She told me of her idea when she started the company and always said she would like to have me on board. I had seen the company grow and when I was made redundant in 2011 due to the recession I did not need asking twice.

 I have never been someone who leaves the job when I leave the office. I would follow things up in my own time if it was necessary. As I worked for small companies I had always managed to make the job suit my lifestyle. Working for myself is not a whole lot different but the rewards and credits are mine not someone else’s.

It can be quite lonely working for yourself, with the franchise it is the best of both worlds as the support and back up from the rest of the team is second to none. Our marketing and website is something that would be hard to achieve as a sole trader, and Sarah has initially sourced some fantastic suppliers which ensures the quality of the brand.

Where do I see my business in a years time? In a years time I see the franchise having grown about 100% in the volume of orders and venues that are using our service. I also see myself having dressed some prestigious events. In three years I hope that this growth has continued and we have 2 or 3 teams out dressing events regularly. I would like to think that we will be the primary supplier in the Harrogate Area due to the quality of our product and the efficiency of our service.

 The last two years have been exciting and fun. I am constantly learning things about my business and even about myself. The wedding industry is a fun and vibrant one to be involved in and I have met some lovely people. I would recommended it to anyone!

Simply 5 years old!

 

Its our Birthday this month! Simply Bows and Chair Covers are officially 5 Years old!

 

What a fabulous 5 years we have had. From what set out as a little idea that our MD hoped might work, has now turned into a National, Multi Award Winning Company. 

 

 

We would like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful hotels, individual clients and suppliers we have the pleasure to work with and for, for all of their support!

 

Here's to the next 5 years!!

Simply an amazing opportunity to run your own business!

RBS Group recently revealed the following statistics:

• Women who own their own businesses are more satisfied than those who don't
• Female bosses report improved work-life balance and greater confidence
• 31% of women in the North East want to run their own business

RBS research shows that women who run their own businesses are happier, more satisfied and enjoy a better work-life balance than those who work for someone else. The survey of 300 UK-based female entrepreneurs compared the experiences of female business owners across a range of sectors - investigating how running their own business had impacted on confidence, work-life balance and job satisfaction.

For example, women who own their own business s claim that their job satisfaction levels had increased from 55% to 75% after they started their company. Similarly, women reported that their confidence went from an average of 64% to 73%; while their work-life balance improved from 60% to 70%.

The research also found that women who hope to start up their own businesses are the most dissatisfied in their current jobs, while those who own their own businesses are the most satisfied. It is no surprise therefore that so many women want to set up their own company.

This indeed is no mean feat but Simply Bows and Chair Covers provide a fantastic franchise opportunity that offers all of the benefits of owning your own business but with a safety net of support, training, sharing of expertise and knowledge and an already established reputation and contact network that allows your business to see rapid growth from launch.

The franchise offers all of the initial training and support that you need to help get your business off the ground. The first twelve months of any business is crucial, and our comprehensive franchise support service includes:

• Use of the unique Simply Bows & Chair Covers brand
• Pre opening support to establish the business
• Assistance with the production of a business plan and raising finance, if it is required
• An in depth induction training programme
• Comprehensive local launch strategy, including marketing and promotional activities
• Ongoing advice and support, with access to our in depth knowledge and experience
• Stock
• Marketing Collateral
• A business operating manual (containing details of our operating systems, marketing, administration, etc)
• Initial stationery pack
• Uniform
• Point of Sale

Franchising is now a well established industry with a successful track record, and you’re possibly already aware of some of the general potential benefits franchising offers, such as funding arrangements with most of the high street banks, operating your own business but with the ongoing support from the franchisor. As the franchise network grows additional benefits will include greater brand awareness which in turn generates more demand for your service. You’re in business for yourself but not by yourself.

It's win win!

Simply Delighted! Kristy wins award at Tynedale Business Awards

Congratulations to all the winners at The Tynedale Business Awards last week. Over 120 business people attended the annual Tynedale Business Awards evening held at the beautiful Langley Castle Hotel on Friday 1st March 2013.

Kristy Giblin Director of our West Northumberland and Cumbria office was thrilled to be shortlisted for the Best Small Business award at the event and attended with her mum, Carol who works with her. To their delight the West Northumberland and Cumbria Simply Bows and Chair Covers office were announced as the winner of their category up against some stiff local competition! Whoop! Well done Kristy and team!

Simply over the moon! We won at the National Chamber of Commerce Awards!

A successful Northumberland based company has won a major national business award.

  

Sarah Pittendrigh who runs Simply Bows and Chair Covers, specialising in quality chair covers, linen and accessories for weddings, balls and corporate events, represented the NE region in the finals of the British Chamber of Commerce (BCC) Chamber Awards 2012.

Sarah, who has gone from being bankrupt to running an award-winning franchise business in just two years, went on to win in the Most Promising New Business category thanks to her ongoing success and growth over a short period of time.

The Chamber Awards recognise and celebrate business excellence across the UK and Sarah and the team beat off competition from a range of organisations, some with multi-million pound turnovers.

The ceremony, hosted by BBC business journalist and presenter, Declan Curry, took place on Thursday November 29^th at the Guildhall in London.

Speaking about the BCC Awards, Sarah said: “Just being short-listed was an overwhelming honour. I can’t believe that I went onto actually win against so many outstanding businesses. I was so proud to be representing the North East region. This award is for all my team all over the UK who make the business work and put in so many hours to ensure we’re a success. I’m now very excited to be working on launching in London in 2013.”

 

Sarah established Simply Bows and Chair Covers in 2008 after being made bankrupt when the national events company she worked for suffered the effects of the economic downturn.

Whilst helping to organise her brother’s wedding, Sarah found a gap in the market for stylish, high-quality chair covers and linen and launched her business in 2008 across the North East area.

Since then, Simply Bows and Chair Covers has grown rapidly and Sarah opted to launch the franchise operation in 2010 as customer demand for her unique service grew quickly all over the UK.

Just two years on, the business has 11 franchises from Aberdeen down to Berkshire and Sarah is on target to open 30 franchises by 2015. Plans are also being made to take Simply Bows and Chair Covers into Europe and beyond after receiving enquiries from countries such as France, Spain and the UAE.

Earlier this year, Sarah was crowned the winner of the Best Small Business award in the North East Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Awards, organised by Women into the Network (WIN), and Newcomer of the Year in the North East Business Awards (April), which recognise and celebrate outstanding achievements of companies across the whole of the North East of England.

Sarah beat off competition from hundreds of entrants for her bold decision to franchise her company and judges, including a director from Virgin Money, were particularly impressed with the simplicity of Simply Bows and Chair Covers’ proposition and the excellent financial strength being delivered through this model.

Simply Thrilled! We Won!!!!

Last night Simply Bows and Chair Covers attended and won the Regional Business Awards for the North East of England, sponsored by the Journal Newspaper in the Newcomer Section. 

To get to the awards we had to win the first round of regional heats of which we were entered into the Durham and Wearside Section as that is where Head Office is based. 

Last night we beat, Teessides Winner who manufacture games for Sony and Newcastle Northumberland Winner – Tallulah Rose, who manufacture Lingerie and export to 14 different countries.  We have now been put forward by the North East Chamber of Commerce to represent the North East of England in a National Award in London and couldn't be more thrilled!

As a team we work tirelessly to ensure we provide an exceptional service to every single client, at every single office we have over the UK and it is wonderful for that to be recognised by such a fabulous award!

London here we come!

Simply Award Winning: We won!

Whoop! We are so thrilled to have just won Newcomer of the year (open to companies in the region who have been in operation for a maximum of 3 years as of Jan 1st 2012) at The NE Business Awards 2012!

The judges assessed entrants on the following:

• The company’s business plan and indications of how it has been pursued so far.
• What differentiates the company’s products/services from their competitors?
• Managerial and financial performance, with evidence.
• The background of the directors.
• Notable achievements to date.
• Potential for growth.
• Evidence of commitment and imagination in the product or service.

Knowing the amazing calibre of applicants, we were thrilled to be shortlisted but to win was amazing! We love what we do and pride ourselves at being at the top of our game but to be recognised for this by our peers and a whole host of business specialists was fabulous!