Name: Jon Flynn
Company Name: Munster Tool Co
Location: East Cork
Length of time in operation: 3 years

Professional background before becoming a franchisee: Retail Management

Why did you become involved in franchising?
To be in business for myself but not by myself, at MTC you're not reinventing the wheel and there's a great work/life balance.

Why did you choose this franchise business?
Munster Tool Co had an attractive package that involved 27 years of valued experience in the industry and a reputation that was second to none. There is a strong belief in customer focus, making sure the customer is well looked after, which I also found very appealing. The package certainly lived up to my initial expectations; in fact it has exceeded them, as they say ‘it did exactly what it said on the tin!'

How did you research the company before setting up?
I looked at their website, spoke to garages that were customers, and sought professional advice from my accountant and solicitor about joining Munster Tool Co

How did the master franchise help you starting a business in Ireland?
I would really recommend this experience to anyone who would relish the opportunity to run their own business. From the very first day Donal, Martin and all the gang at Munster Tool Co have been so helpful and supportive. They have a very comprehensive support package; your client base is already there for you to build on due to Munster Tool Co's established nationwide reputation. You are taught how to start your business, run it on a daily business, you are taught about the tools, and all this learning is ongoing. Even though I came from a retail management background, the managerial skills I have learned while being with Munster Tool Co will be invaluable to me no matter where I go in life. The hours you work can be very flexible and this is one of the factors that I thoroughly appreciate.

Does the master franchise continue to help you on an ongoing basis?
The ongoing support is invaluable, the targets we set for ourselves are assessed on a quarterly basis, and the feedback we get from these assessments gives us excellent motivation. The package offers full ongoing support, whenever I pick up the phone Donal is always there to answer any questions I might have, and Eamon's quarterly reviews really keep us grounded and show us exactly where we are & where we could be. The quarterly meetings are great, it means we all get together and learn from each other, it's a really good way to generate ideas.

What difficulties did you face starting off?
None really. I went from working 7 day weeks to 5 day weeks, with low overheads and minimal running costs. My wife and I recently had our first baby and because I am now with Munster Tool Co I was able to fully enjoy this experience. I would not have been as fortunate in my previous career. Learning how to generate sales and reach targets was probably the most difficult part but even that has been enjoyable and very motivating.

How did you overcome these difficulties?
n/a

What advice would you give to others who have just started franchising or are looking for a franchise business in Ireland? 
Research your company very well before committing to anything. Ask to speak to present franchisees. Make sure the support package you receive is comprehensive. Make sure you get professional advice from your solicitor and your accountant. Always keep your family included in the decision making process. Only join companies with a reputation you can trust and rely on.

For further information, please see our listing on this site.