Case Studies

Franchise case study - Mark Hopwood

Having worked mostly in food retail for most of my working life I was keen to change direction and find a fresh business opportunity. It was while researching ideas that I decided to do a course on photography. I had loved photography when I was younger but hadn't picked up a camera for a long time.

I spotted Barrett & Coe on the internet and after visiting a seminar in Birmingham I signed up for the portrait course: a very enjoyable course, from which I came away with more knowledge than I had gained in a year in art college when a teenager. The social photography course followed, and the stress of the exam day notwithstanding, I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Andrew Coe, Barrett & Coe's managing director, talked about the business opportunity of the franchise on the course but I had reservations. However after hearing a talk given by David MacDonald about how a good living could be made from photography and after listening to Andrew's plans for the future of his young company, I decided I wanted to be part of this vision.

I only opened the studio a couple of months ago but so far I have no regrets. I have a nice-looking branded studio and I am back in retail which I have always loved. Early days yet but I am looking forward to seeing a boost in business once I start to increase the marketing for the studio.