So good I did it again!
Having spent the last 35 years or more running his own businesses, including taking over his family’s wholesale distribution business at just 23 years old and running it successfully for 20 years, Paul Gannon was looking for a new opportunity. He chose ERA because he felt it offered the flexibility he desired within a tried and tested business model – 10 years on and he’s just renewed his franchise agreement.
When he started looking for new business opportunities, Paul knew that after decades running his own companies the corporate life was not for him. He needed to decide if he wanted to start a new venture from scratch, buy an existing business or invest in a franchise. After researching the options he chose ERA and started at the beginning of 2005.
Paul explains: “I felt that ERA provided the best opportunity for me to make my own decisions within the parameters of a successful franchise system. Essentially I run a micro-business where I’m in control of how I manage my time, where I work and who I work with, both in terms of clients and business partners, but I work within a macro-business which offers the support of an established business and a network of other associates.”
“Over the last 10 years with ERA, I’ve most enjoyed the interaction with people, from a diverse mix of clients to collaborating and learning from joint ventures with other ERA franchise partners. As a trusted advisor to high level company directors, my experience of running my own businesses has helped me to quickly understand my clients’ business models as well as the challenges and opportunities they face,” continues Paul.
As a keen cyclist for the last 15 years, Paul also enjoys getting involved in other events organised by the ERA group office. Last year he was part of an ERA team who took part in Race to the Sun, a triathlon-style adventure challenge across the Brecon Beacons, and this year he plans to take part in ERA’s Ride the Regions to help raise money for a fellow associate’s son who suffers from Cerebral Palsy.
Looking ahead to the next ten years, Paul comments: “I hope I’ll be even more successful as I’ve learnt how to get the best from the resources available and how to use my time most effectively.”