We joined Nest a couple of years ago along with Chief Instructor to the Kung Fu Schools, Master Paul Hawkes.
This followed recommendations from some NEST clients we knew and at that time (March 2006), we had around 110 students and were billing between £3-4k per month.
Just two and a half years later, we have a hugely successful single location school which employs 3 full time instructors, 6 part time instructors and 4 trainee instructors, teaching over 360 students. With the help of NEST, we are now looking for our second full time location in South West London.
NEST provided excellent support and guidance on developing all aspects of business from dealing with staff and employee development, formalising staff contracts, to offering advice on business rates and the legalities of special offer advertising.
They were also instrumental in helping us to buy our own place as well as recommending other useful contacts within the martial arts industry e.g. Carl Reader at Dennis & Turnbull, a firm of accountants who specialise in VAT and helped us to obtain our VAT exemption certificate.
It has been an incredible journey for me and my team and NEST has been with us every step of the way. We had to move to a larger location back in November 2007 and if we continue to grow at the same rate we will need to looking at moving again early in 2009!
NEST are particularly good at looking after the day to day stuff quickly and efficiently. If someone cancels or there is a problem at the bank, I receive an email informing me of this straight away so I can deal with it promptly.
If we need to do a price increase, there is no need for me to complete new forms - we simply pick up the phone and tell the NEST team the figure and it gets done, with a letter of confirmation sent out to the student.
I get the re-assurance and greater freedom in knowing that the admin side of the business is taken care of and this makes life so much easier for me and the team. NEST are also there for you to help look after your longer term interests too, making sure complacency does not creep in and we keep progressing and taking the business forward.
During one visit to our School, Gerard spent a few hours with one of our team demonstrating the School System and showing them how to deal with different types of customers. It is this attention to detail and ‘going the extra mile’ which helps to keep NEST above their competitors.
I recently attended my first NEST network meeting and was hugely impressed with the quality of the speakers, the subject matter and the opportunity to network with other School owners – it was well worth the long journey and helped re-affirm to my instructors that I do know what I am talking about!