Testimonials

I am a new owner/teacher with the Smith's School of English franchise system.  I own the Smith's School of English Ikoma franchise in Nara and opened officially on 1 September, 2005.

I had the opportunity to start the English school franchise last year, and with a new family, I felt that a franchise was the most prudent way to enter business as they are 80% more likely to succeed that private businesses.  When I first spoke to Mark, he was above board, and everything he told me has been on the level, with no surprises or business tricks.  Smith's was great from the start, suggesting a location (which I have now fallen in love with), and helping to find an apartment.  They found one that meets my biggest criterion as we are only 4 minutes from the a station and department store.

I was nervous when I started, but very pleased to get my first student on day three.  Starting a business us an uphill battle, and sometimes I still worry that it will work out.  After almost two months however, I have found that even if there is a lull, things pick up again, and I have a more or less steady inflow of students.  Things do not happen overnight, but the system Mark advises is giving me steady and consistent gains in enrolment each month.  I have already achieved my first milepost, and the second is in sight.

Dealing with his office staff on the phone is a delight, and while I can speak Japanese, I don't feel up to the higher art of closing the deal, and I know I can leave it to them.

Now that I have 'put on the jacket' as it were, I can see how this business runs, and what I can expect from it, and how to make it work for me. I like teaching English in japan and  I am happy to say this business isn't rocket science, and I think anyone with motivation and stick-to-it-iveness can use Smith's to build their own profitable business.

Leslie Perras

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