Sandra
Harrogate, N Yorkshire

Mobile: 0752 858 0188
Phone: 01423 541402
Email: sandra.healy@silverdazeuk.com

In October 2007 the Office Furniture Company, where Sandra had worked for almost 20 years, went into voluntary liquidation. Sandra had been a Director of the company for the last decade and suddenly found herself in a job market that deemed her 'too old' or 'overqualified' for the jobs on the market.

It was a nightmare! I was filled with dread at the possibility of working for people who had less experience than I had acquired over the many years in my profession. I was used to being in control, taking major decisions and running a company. After all these years I just couldn't imagine not being my own boss anymore. It was then that a friend came to the rescue and asked if I'd ever thought about buying a franchise.

I immediately looked up the British Franchise Association on the Internet and being a lover of jewellery soon found myself on the Silverdaze website. It just felt right! Not being one to hang around once I've made a decision, I was straight on the phone to Diana, who answered all my queries and more. Soon the idea of owning my own Silverdaze Franchise was becoming a distinct possibility. Once I'd seen the vast range of jewellery, I made my decision there and then.

I don't think I've looked back since, except on days when I'm stood up to my knees in 6 inches of mud, complete with typical Yorkshire weather. But I've learnt to take the rough with the smooth, as agricultural and horse shows are the events that I seem to do best at! When I first started I had to take what events I could get, as most of the big shows had been booked up since January or February. I now make sure I get my bookings in early not to lose out on any of the shows.

I keep my ear to the ground and am always on the lookout for ways to promote myself. I spend a lot of time pushing myself and chasing any openings that come up. I've got into a routine where I devote most of my mornings to researching venues on the internet and scouring local papers for little snippets of information. This has paid off as I now do on average 3 or 4 events per week and am busy almost every Saturday and Sunday.

If there were anything I'd like to change it would probably be to work less weekends. I'm sure my husband would agree with this, as despite having a full time job in the newspaper industry, he is faithfully by my side at weekends helping me erect the gazebo, although I am sure he would say I'm helping him!. With my average sales having risen from £150 - £200 to £350 - £450 per event, this wouldn't be impossible. If I continue to do this well I will soon be able to realise my future in a hot sunny climate somewhere!

However, I'm not ready to retire yet! Knowing that I can please myself when I work makes me feel independent and I still love what I do. I always like to make sure I have at least £12,000 worth of stock in my collection. I don't think I spent enough on stock when I first started. I used to always have a set figure in my head when I came to buy, but because there was so much super jewellery to buy, I inevitably bought more than my budget!! Now that I know the stones better, know what people like and what they're prepared to pay; my buying habits have changed dramatically.

Rings are my best sellers and I can never have enough of them, so I try to stock as many different sizes as possible. The Indian jewellery with its precious and semi-precious stones is also very popular; Amethyst is probably my best selling stone. But there are always surprises - who would have thought that young women would suddenly be crying out for Marquesite! I'm learning all the time about what does and doesn't appeal to people and I'm not frightened of competition, as I know our jewellery is far superior. The comments I receive from customers when they see the jewellery displays are testament to this. These are the factors that have been key to my success.