Posted:07-August-2008
Franchise Roadshow arrives in Reading
The RBCC Madejski Stadium welcomes a major UK franchise roadshow for the first time in September.
The exhibition is the type of thing budding businessmen and women based in the Reading area would normally have to travel to central London to see. However, this year, the event has attracted 40 of Britain’s most innovative and exciting franchise and business opportunities – and all of them are looking for people who want to run a business in the Thames Valley region.
Free seminars run throughout the day: examples include “mums mean business”, “executive & white collar forum” and a “motor franchise theatre”. All the seminars include a Dragons’ Den style event – allowing the franchises to pitch their idea to the audience, who can then fire questions in return.
But why are these companies all coming to Reading? Mark Monument, of exhibition organisers Job Done, explains:
“Our exhibitors are a pro-active bunch. They see the value of making it easy for potential franchisees to meet with them. All the visitors are people who live - and wish to run their business - in their own local area. Therefore, the franchises are more than happy to showcase the territories/licences they have available in that same local area”
Mark goes on:
“It’s not all about making (or investing) fortunes. Most exhibitors are looking for dedicated individuals who want to carve out a pleasant living and lifestyle for themselves. It’s a get-out from the pressures of economic slowdowns at work.
There’s a bit of everything here for all career backgrounds – for “petrol heads”, for skilled tradesmen, for white collar careers, for those interested in property investing, for those looking at retail outlets, or catering, or IT. And, for once, you don’t have to travel in to Central London to see it all”.
The organisers claim that there is a proven, road-tested, ready made business waiting “on a plate” for all manner of career aspirations. And that post credit crunch business finance advice is on hand from a major high street bank who specialises – and encourages - financing franchise start ups.
The show takes place on Thursday 4th September from 5.30pm and re-opens Friday 5th September from 9.00am in the Princess Suite, Madejski Stadium. There is no entrance fee; there’s plenty of free car parking and all the seminars and advisory sessions are without charge too. It seems you just need to be a free thinking, budding entrepreneur to benefit from it all.
