We spoke with Harvey Toon, owner of TSS, about pursuing his dream of owning a photography business. When tough times hit his former career in journalism, Franchise.com helped him achieve his new goal in the field he loves. Here he shares the story of pursuing his passion.
What is your background/previous job?
Sixteen years in advertising sales. Prior to that, newspaper management at community newspapers, and before that 10 years of photojournalism experience. I also had a side business in weddings and event photography, and taught community courses in photography.
Why did you decide to become your own boss?
I was laid off from my longtime job in the newspaper industry and decided this is the best time to pursue a dream of owning my own business.
Did you have a particular franchise or industry in mind when you arrived at Franchise.com?
I was looking for something in my fields of expertise with low start-up costs and a good reputation both among franchisees and customers.
Why did you choose your particular concept?
I love photography and working with kids. The sales process is also very close to what I had done before, with a quality service that I had a lot of control over.
How did using Franchise.com help you make your decision to buy a franchise? And to buy this franchise in particular?
Franchise.com helped me weed through the many franchise programs to narrow my decision. I actually received an email from Franchise.com early in my search, featuring TSS Photography.
When did you purchase your business?
June 2011
What do you like most about TSS?
Excellent support, excellent products and service.
Do you work from home/an office/a retail store?
Home
Do you have flexible work hours?
Yes
Do you have employees?
Yes, part-time
What makes this a good business?
A reputation for quality, a headquarters that is focused on the success of the franchisees. Something that really impressed me is that HQ has a working franchise that its officers are directly involved in. This keeps their real-world industry knowledge at the forefront.
How about for people with families?
This can be an excellent business for families. Every family member can contribute in some way, and it's fun work.
What was the training like?
Extensive. A lot of information, but all of it was directly related to the job. An existing franchisee went through the week-long training with the class and related what we learned to his own experiences. That was very helpful.
How about the day to day support from the home office of the concept?
Excellent. They have an open phone/email policy and are quick to reply with constructive answers.
Would you recommend this concept to other people and what skills/qualities should a new owner possess to be successful with this business? Yes. Foremost, the new owner needs to be comfortable cold-calling and selling. Time management is critical, as is a grasp of basic financial details. Of course, it helps if you like to take pictures, but the most important skill is sales.
