Why I’m Building the Franchise I Wish I’d Had

Back in 2005, I was full of ambition and ready to take control of my future. I bought into a franchise called Spear Solutions, which marketed itself as a website design and digital marketing franchise. It sounded perfect - exactly what I wanted to do. I paid around £20,000 to join and committed to a monthly fee of £230. It felt like a big investment, but I was convinced this was the right path for me. After all, the head office seemed professional, the initial training sounded promising, and I even spoke to an existing franchisee who was doing okay. What could go wrong?

Well, quite a lot, as it turned out.

The training was fine, but the tools we were expected to use were outdated, even for 2005. The franchise revolved around a self-build website system that was clunky and rigid. Customers wanted features the system simply couldn’t provide. The alternative was to send bespoke projects to developers in India, but their costs were so high that I couldn’t compete.

I was a budding web designer with six years of experience at the time, so I started building websites myself rather than using the franchise’s tools. Soon, other franchisees - many of whom had little to no technical experience - began asking me to build websites for their clients too. They were business people, not tech-savvy individuals, and some didn’t even know how to use a computer mouse during training. Alarm bells should have rung then, but I was too focused on making things work.

The franchise became more of a hindrance than a help. I was still paying £230 a month for support I never received and tools I couldn’t use. I was essentially on my own, building my own systems and delivering results for my clients - and even for other franchisees. It felt like I was running my own business, except I had the burden of paying for a franchise that added no value.

Then the owner, Anthony Spear* disappeared - taking all the company’s money with him. The business folded, and around 200 franchisees were left stranded. But for me, this was a blessing in disguise. By that time, I had already built my own brand, WebStudio, and developed a loyal client base. When the franchise collapsed, many of the clients turned to me for help. It was the push I needed to fully go independent, and I’ve never looked back.

That experience taught me what to do - and more importantly, what not to do. When Spencer and I decided to create the WebStudio Marketing franchise, we started with one principle: honesty. We’re upfront about what we offer, how we work, and what it takes to succeed. This is not a get-rich-quick scheme. It’s a partnership where we provide the technical expertise, and you focus on building relationships and understanding your clients’ needs.

We don’t charge unnecessary fees or lock people into unfair contracts. We don’t want you to fail because we’ve been there, and it’s a horrible feeling. Instead, we focus on making our franchisees successful. We handle all the technical work - websites, SEO, digital marketing strategies - so you can concentrate on working with clients and growing your business.

Our web and digital marketing franchise is for people who are ready to make a real difference. Whether you’ve been made redundant, are looking for a fresh start, or want to take control of your future, this could be your opportunity. You don’t need technical skills; you just need a passion for helping businesses succeed. We’ll train you, guide you, and support you every step of the way.

You’ll spend your time building relationships and acting as a trusted advisor to your clients, while our central team handles the heavy lifting. Together, we create campaigns that deliver real results. It’s hard work, but it’s rewarding - and the earning potential is limitless if you’re driven and committed.

I’m not afraid of competition; I welcome it. It drives me to work harder, think smarter, and deliver better results. If you’re the kind of person who thrives under pressure and takes pride in doing things the right way, we want you on our team.

Starting your own business is a big step, but with the right support, it can be life-changing. I’ve been through the wringer and come out the other side. I’ve learned what works, what doesn’t, and how to build a business that truly helps people succeed. Now, I’m sharing that knowledge through the WebStudio Marketing franchise.

If you’re ready to take control of your future, we’re ready to help you every step of the way.