In January 2001 husband and wife team/duo Alec and Betty Stephens started Merry Maids of East Sussex. Eight years on, the business is going from strength to strength and Alec and Betty have seen turnover increase from £100k to £150k in the last year alone.

Currently experiencing their best year ever, they have just recruited another four Merry Maids which takes the team total up to 16.

Alec put the success down to a number of factors, he comments: “Seasonally you would usually expect to loose some customers after Christmas as people start to watch their spending, which we expected to be the case this year. However, we have dramatically improved our retention and have also seen our word of mouth recommendations increase. We have also been able to increase our customer base due to improved transport links into Lewis but this is an added bonus in an already good year for us. We have also carried out a successful marketing campaign locally and have been able to monitor the uptake from that which has been rewarding.”

Alec and Betty originally saw the advert for Merry Maids in the Daily Mail and Betty instantly saw a long term potential for growth. Alec continues: “After a corporate role I had decided to make a move and had bought a milk round. I loved it but Betty pointed out that I couldn’t do it forever and could only grow the business as far as was logistically possible. We saw potential in Merry Maids and as I turn 64 next year, the business looks set to provide us with a comfortable pension.”

Merry Maids is operated by ServiceMaster Limited. To find out more or enquire about franchise opportunities call Marcelle Ingrouille at ServiceMaster on 0116 275 9000, email franchisesales@servicemaster.co.uk or visit www.merrymaids.co.uk