Banking on success

After 23 years with the Bank, the last thing David Jarvis thought was that he would be working with pets. Redundancy was on offer and he and his wife, Dawn, saw this as the opportunity to try something different. Dawn, housewife and mother of their three children, longed for her own challenge and a joint business venture meant life was about to change. That was in 1996, and over 10 years on they are running a very successful Oscar Franchise in Hastings.

With no knowledge of the trade, pets, pet food or nutrition they were attracted by the potential of the Oscar concept. The benefits of the purchasing power of a large organisation gave the smaller business greater strength and, combined with desire and determination, the Jarvis family have never looked back. David says, "This would have not been possible without the back-up support provided by Oscar and following a proven system is the only way to succeed."

Neil and Lorraine Stapleton - Honiton

Neil and Lorraine Stapleton have got it sussed: a business tailored to suit their own lifestyle with the added bonus of making money.

Neil always had the inclination to set up his own business - in anticipation that its eventual success would provide a joint income for them both, while spending more time with the family. Neil made a point of reading franchise magazines and features detailed in the Daily Express before attending the British Franchise Exhibition. It was that all-important meeting with Oscar that established that Neil had found an opportunity that meant he could work in his own area of Sidmouth and at an entry level to suit his pocket.

With the main ingredients of determination, hard work and enjoyment, Neil is now a full-time Nutritional Advisor delivering pet food, treats, and healthcare products, while also microchipping pets. Lorraine works at home, responsible for the administration and taking customer calls, as well as managing the family.