Success Stories

Video: John and Cecilia Holden talk about their experiences with Activ over the last 3 years

Video: Andy Larkin tells us how he has done in his first 3 months

An Activ Franchisee reaches the finals of Franchise of the Year Awards 2011 sponsored by Natwest

Lisa Smith joined Activ in 2008. Back then she was looking for a new focus and challenge. She was keen to find a business to operate around her family and one that gave her total flexibility.

3 years on, and due to her hard work and commitment she has been recognised for her achievements in this year’s Franchise of the Year Startups Awards sponsored by Natwest.

Speaking to Lisa, she commented, “I would like to thank everyone at Activ for their continued support and guidance. Starting a business is hard work and thanks to the expert assistance of the head office team I have grown my Activ business and I’m honoured to reach the finals of this prestigious national award.”

Activ provide online marketing services to SME’s across the UK. Since their inception in 2007 they have grown at a phenomenal rate and are operational in a number of countries including Spain and Australia.

They support thousands of customers daily providing them a range of services including, web design, SEO, email marketing, mobile websites and social media training.

Earlier this month they launched a localised Social Media website for towns and cities, believed to be the first of its kind in the UK

Lisa Smith operates her Activ Franchise in Dunmow, Essex.

When asked why she felt her Activ business had been so successful she stated, “Over recent times money has been tight for small businesses. However as Activ focus on providing services at a price businesses can afford and above all delivers the results a small business needs, I believe this has been the key to my success as I have loads of happy customers.”

Startups Awards recognise the hard work of entrepreneurs across the UK. In recent times they have recognised the achievements of companies such as Wonga, Seatwave, Zoopla and Reggae Reggae Sauce

The winner of the Franchise of the Year awards will be announced on 2nd December 2011 in Kensington Roof Gardens in London.

To view Activ on the Startups Award website visit – http://www.startups.co.uk/2011_3

Case Study: Hitting the ground running in Ipswich

Peter Mann shares his success

My name is Peter Mann and I operate Activ Web Design in Ipswich, I joined Activ about 16 weeks ago in early December of 2010 and so far I have found the experience to be extremely positive and lots of fun..

From a standing start I have sold 16 websites, which works out to be almost exactly 1 every week. One of the really encouraging things about Activ is that there clearly is a huge demand for websites and the market is hungry to buy the product that Activ has to sell.

If I continue at the rate I am doing then I am going to sell 50 websites this year, which is fantastic. I expect the revenue from website sales this year will be approaching £40,000, who knows what it will be in the second year?

The great thing is I am working when I want and choosing the hours I work. Being your own boss gives you a fantastic level of satisfaction. Yes I’m working hard, but I’m no longer doing it for other people. I’m doing it for myself, because I want to reap the rewards, rather than working really hard so someone else can benefit.

As far as selling is concerned, I don’t believe that you need to have a strong sales experience to succeed with Activ, it’s not a hard sell by any means it’s more of a consultancy role. Most small to medium sized business already understand the need to be online they understand the benefits to the business, in terms of showcasing the business, helping them stand out from the competition, helping to increase sales, footfall, revenue, profits, all of those good things, and the fact they are not already online is because of the perception and in some cases the reality that for small to medium size businesses to get online can be quite time consuming, can be very expensive and can be quite difficult.

At Activ Web Design we get clients online, very quickly, very affordably and without any difficulty. The job involves helping small business think big, it involves helping the smaller business take on the bigger brands and winning. The internet truly is a level playing field where as long as you look the part and create a good visitor experience people will believe in you.

Activ model definitely works all you need to do is apply it in the market place and you should be successful. I’m a pretty average sort of guy that through hard work is achieving my goals. I don’t see why it couldn’t be your experience as well provided you work hard and that you have the commitment and dedication to succeed.”

Thanks for your time, Peter Mann.

Case Study: Award Finalists

Activ shortlisted for Nectar business award

Activ, the dynamic Enderby-based on-line business involved in website development, has been shortlisted in the Start up of the Year category of the 2009 Nectar Business Small Business Awards.

Founded in March 2008, Activ employs 15 staff at its head office at Narborough Wood Park and now has around 85 representatives offering website design to small and medium sized businesses across the UK and abroad.

In addition to its UK operations, the business has attracted licence holders in Spain, Ireland, France and Australia and is planning to take larger premises at the business park which will accommodate up to 50 staff later this year.

Activ is continually looking at opportunities for marketing goods, services and offers on-line.

In addition to its work with SMEs, Activ has developed local town websites across the UK and entered into partnership agreements with eBay, Google and Yell.com.

The Nectar award winners will be announced later in July.

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