Thinking of going into business for yourself?
Many people love the idea of being their own boss and running their own business where they are in charge of their own future, but despite having the personal skills and desires to be in business they don't know what to actually do, worry about having business knowledge and struggle to come up with the necessary funding.
A Micrionix®+ business may be the answer.
Answers to frequently asked questions not covered elsewhere may help you decide whether a Micrionix® + business would be the answer for you.
What exactly would I do?
Micrionix® + business operators provide a proven carpet, upholstery and floor cleaning service to a wide customer base. Providing the service represents around 75% of your income. The remainder is earned from supplying cleaning and odour control products for establishments to apply themselves. We will show you exactly how to do this on your training course.
What cleaning knowledge do I need?
Absolutely none. We teach you everything you need to know about how to clean and how to resolve odour problems. If you come from a cleaning background you will be learning a new and simpler way with Micrionix® + .
How do I learn how to run my business?
The XBOS - Xeria Business Operations System covers all the basic elements you need to run a business. Your training package includes all the basics of running your own business from start up, through finding and keeping customers to book-keeping. Your 'how to' training can be applied to any business.
What 'Personal Attributes' do I need?
The biggest factor affecting success in business is the determination to succeed. You need to be prepared to throw body and soul into getting your business started and you need to be personable in order to create good ongoing relationships with your customers. We can't teach you attitude, but can teach you virtually everything else you need to know to get your own business up and running.
What name do I trade under?
You chose your own business name e.g. John Smith Cleaning, or Green Oaks Services and then attach the legend "Rejuvenating floors and fabrics with Micrionix® + "
Do I need premises?
This is a van based business with the administration run from your home. A small amount of garage /shed space to store cleaning and odour control solutions is useful. The paperwork side is fairly minimal and can literally be done on the kitchen/dining table.
How many hours a week do I need to work?
This is up to you. The beauty of this business is that it can be run full or part time. There is a direct correlation between the amount of time spent on the business and the returns earned. You determine your own work/life balance.
How much money do I need?
The total capital you need to get yourself up and running is less than £9,000, which includes the costs of your Micrionix® + License fee, XBOS, full training, £2,000 of equipment, van deposit, marketing launch and enough chemicals to generate around £9,000 of revenue. This figure includes any VAT due. With the current tightness in bank funding you will probably need to provide £4,500 to £6,000 liquid capital, however because of the low risks involved all major high street banks offer low cost start up funding up to £5,000 with no security required i.e. you don't have to put your house on the line.
What area will I work?
We do not restrict where you work or who you sell to. The market is vast and provides scope for individuals to operate as small or large a business as they choose with the mix of customers they want.
Am I tied in like with a franchise?
Not at all - with a Xeria license you can exit giving 1 months notice. With franchising the relationship is much tighter - you are tied in for a long period, usually at least 5 years. It is very difficult to exit a franchise if you decide that the business doesn't suit you. Franchises also have non-compete clauses restricting what you can do if you leave. With Xeria the only restriction relates to you not using our trade names if you cease trading with us.
Do I have to pay ongoing royalties to Xeria?
No you do not pay Xeria any sales related fees, unlike a franchise where you generally have to pay ongoing fees, usually as a percentage of your income (typically 10-15% in this industry). With Xeria you only pay a low fixed monthly license fee to continue to use the Micrionix® + & Airicide® trade names (currently £50 per month= £10 per week plus VAT). You earn it – you keep it!
How similar is this to a franchise?
From a business start up point, investing in a Xeria license will give you virtually everything that a typical franchise does. We provide you with a complete business package - the Xeria Operating System XBOS, which is like a franchise business format. You are licensed to operate under the Micrionix® + brand and use the Micrionix® + process which gives you the same differentiation in the market place that some (but not all) franchises do. We provide quality training at our dedicated training suite, including how to launch your business. You are provided with our 'XBOS Guide' similar to a Franchise Manual. The main difference is that we do not dictate every aspect of your business allowing you much more freedom to actually be your own boss.
Are Xeria as committed to the long term as a franchise?
Absolutely. We manufacture the chemicals and selling these chemicals is how we make our money. We see Micrionix® + business operators as our primary means of delivering the exceptional results achieved by our chemical technology. We believe that once someone has established their business using Micrionix® + , the quality of the products and the results they produce will ensure they keep buying them. We firmly believe that every good business relationship is based on win-win, so if someone decides that this business no longer suits, we do not want to stop them moving on.
What ongoing support do I get?
Free technical support and product information continues for as long as you are a licensee. We produce regular bulletins with marketing ideas and tips and are here to give guidance as and when required. Where we differ from franchising is that we do not automatically provide the on-site hand holding that franchisors typically provide, whether you need it or not. This hand holding support is costly to provide and is charged for in the upfront franchise fee - which is why franchises are so much more expensive. This is why we describe it as being like an a-la-carte franchise - you choose the additional elements as, when and if you need them. Additional training and on-site support from Xeria is available at a fee for those who need it when they need it. The reality of operating a Micrionix® + business is that once trained and by following the XBOS guidance, operating the business is actually very straightforward.
Where and when is training?
The 4 day training courses take place monthly in Woolpit near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk. They start on Monday 11.00am to 5.00pm and run 9.00am to 5.00pm Tuesday to Thursday. The fee for the training course including all training materials and lunches are detailed in your start up costs. If you live more than 60 miles/90 minutes from Woolpit you will probably appreciate staying locally Monday to Wednesday evening. We will provide a list of local accommodation which can cost as little as £40 per night. The costs for this are anticipated in the 'Miscellaneous Costs' shown in the 'Summary of start up costs.'
How soon will I start making money?
Finish training on Thursday, start cleaning and earning money Friday!
What is the next step?
Call us on 08448 009 350 for an informal chat. We are happy to answer any questions you may have. You will be invited to come and see us in Suffolk to see the Micrionix® + system in action and to discuss the practicalities of starting your own business. However this is not a selection interview – although we do suggest it, you do not have to visit Woolpit prior to signing up and starting training.
