Franchising in focus
Venture, the UK’s leading portrait photography franchise, is looking for individuals to join its growing franchise network

There are hundreds of franchise opportunities available across the country for those looking to get out of the rat race and benefit from the fruits of their own labour.

However, the chance to be part of a truly innovative, lifestyle-oriented organisation is a rarity. To really enjoy your working life why not try doing something a little more creative? Today, with more focus on lifestyle, many families are choosing to adorn their homes with modern art and family images, and so the portraiture market has never been stronger. Venture, the UK’s leading portrait photography franchise, has, put simply, transformed the industry with its inspirational and personalised images that tell individual stories, and is now seeking individuals to join its growing franchise network.

Venture’s 60 studios across the UK, Ireland, Hong Kong, Korea and the USA turn over in excess of £50million a year, and as the ground-breaking creator of a unique style of portrait photography, its franchise business model is hugely successful.

The Story of Venture’s success

Unlike other photography franchises, Venture is bold and challenging and continually pushes the boundaries of image and product design to ensure that every single client’s experience results in an original piece of personal art.Venture tells ‘stories’ through images that ‘reveal the real you’, turning them into icons of self expression.

Before Venture, portrait photography was characterised by stiff, lifeless, posed imagery that was largely rejected by modern consumers. Having shaken up the industry, this distinctive operation is now pioneering a new generation of portraiture and building its reputation on an inherent passion for photography.

The entire Venture operation is structured and organised to give each franchisee the best possible opportunity of reaching their full potential through comprehensive support and training. And as a brand, Venture is committed to market development through national communications activity, including advertising, online and PR. This has resulted in increased awareness, with half of Venture’s target audience already aware of the brand.

Getting started

You don’t need to be a photographer to join the Venture franchise network - you just need a business head on your shoulders and a desire to succeed. Purchasing a Venture franchise offers a rare opportunity to acquire a business that has a proven track record, extensive brand recognition and is the clear market leader in its sector. Indicative costs are as follows: initial franchise fee is £10,000; purchase of an existing studio from £50,000. The actual price of a business, or cost to open a new studio, will vary according to the location and the specifics.

Feeling inspired?

Everyone at Venture truly believes in the business and what it stands for - premium quality products, unrivalled service levels and a creative passion that is second to none. If you have drive, vision and a passion for creativity why not become a part of Venture’s successful franchise network of studios today?

PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY

In October 2008 Angie Baynes (pictured), a 29-year-old Venture franchisee from York,was named the winner of the annual British Franchise Association Franchisee of the Year Award. Angie was one of nine franchisees who impressed the judging panel, and went on to scoop the prestigious gong by demonstrating how she could ‘manage change’.

Angie shares her father’s passion for photography and has worked extremely hard over the past five years to establish two successful Venture UK studios in York and Hull. She started her career at the age of 18 when she began working at her father’s photography studio. Just a few years later, Angie felt that she had gained enough experience to open her own studio.

Despite being only 23, Angie faced the challenge of running her own business head on, and her first year was a great success. However, it soon became obvious that she would not be able to keep working at such a pace and, with the help of the franchisor, realised the importance of delegating responsibility to her team. Although it was initially hard to relinquish some of the control, her business could now continue to grow with a solid team behind her.

In 2006, after three successful years of running the York studio, Angie was able to buy a second studio in Hull town centre. Her wealth of experience has driven her Venture business from strength to strength and she is now the proud managing director of two Venture studios with a combined turnover of £2million.

To find out more about Venture franchise opportunities visit www.thisisventure.co.uk/franchising.

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