Bal Budesha’s Testimonial
Franchisee: Bal Budesha
Territory: Milton Keynes
What did you do before franchising?
Before being awarded a franchise with Maplebrook Wills I spent 29 years working with Royal Mail. This was primarily in a logistics and operations management role within Central Post Control. Whilst working full time with Royal Mail, I also ran multiple Post Offices which I still manage today.
What drew you to franchising and this brand in particular?
Having achieved everything I wanted to with Royal Mail, I was looking for a new challenge and a change in career. I felt that will writing would fit in nicely with the Post Office I own as a unique service to introduce to my customers under the well-established brand of Maplebrook Wills. When I spoke to local people about wills and estate planning, I was surprised to find that over 80% of my customers do not have a will and even less have lasting powers of attorney, trusts or funeral plans. Recognising that a franchise with Maplebrook would not only greatly increase my revenue stream but would also allow me to help people within my local community of Newport Pagnell, I realised that this was the perfect opportunity for me to move forward with.
How did you find the initial training and support?
The training was daunting at first because of the legality and technicality of the contents but after the first day of the initial training week I felt a lot more comfortable and ready to learn. There is a real community feel within the team at Maplebrook Wills, so I was comfortable and assured that there was no such thing as a silly question.
What is the ongoing support like?
The ongoing support is absolutely second to none. You can ring any time of the day or evening and someone will be available to assist with any questions I might have. I receive extensive support from the legal team, compliance, technical support, head office and also my fellow franchisees. Similarly, I am always happy to help other franchisees whether over the phone or face-to-face, to practice sales calls and share how to find other avenues to generate additional leads.
We have a number of group chats for ongoing support where franchisees can ask technical questions and get a reply within the hour, share content for posting on social media, and generally stay in touch throughout the week sharing achievements and anecdotes.
One key difference between Maplebrook and other will writers is our bespoke CRM and document drafting software, Edge. As a platform custom built for franchisees, should I have any enhancements and adjustments that I would like to see added, these suggestions are welcomed and often met within a few days. This has meant that Edge is truly built around the franchisees needs.
How have you found trading/business so far?
I have had a very positive first few months working as a Will Writer. Interacting with clients is something that has come naturally to me as I have lots of experience interacting with customers face-to-face. My first sales were conducted in my local area with the expertise of Franchisor, Mike Pugh. Watching how the sales presentation worked in action and completing a number of large, successful sales gave me the drive and confidence to do it alone. From there I have gone from strength to strength. I have over 300 leads on my to-call list so I can’t say I am ever bored.
In what way has your life changed… and would you recommend it to others?
I have moved away from my hectic schedule working long hours running a Post Office, to a more calm and structured business where I can have the freedom to choose my own work pattern and generate business on my terms. Would I do it again – yes definitely! This is a fantastic opportunity for anyone who is looking for a more flexible yet structured profession where you are not only earning a decent living but also helping local people with something that everyone needs.
