franchise focus

TERRY BEKS & DEE TRAN

warrnambool

The first National Tiles franchise store was established in Warrnambool, a coastal town in Victoria’s south west in 2002. Warrnambool resident Terry Beks was looking for a career change and was ready to open his own business when he saw an advertisement in his local newspaper about a tile franchise opportunity. He met with Frank Walker in the Geelong National Tiles store, and the first question Frank asked Terry was, “Can you love tiles?”.

Terry’s reply was, “I love tiles, I have them for breakfast,” and the relationship was cemented from there. Explains Terry, “National Tiles has grown exponentially since we first opened our franchise. There were only a few stores in Victoria and the range was so much smaller than the incredible collection that is now available. The product range is better, the retail prices are more appealing and there is an amazing design offering. Our warehouse and supply chain are really streamlined as well.”

Adds Terry’s wife and business partner Dee, “National Tiles is getting better and better at the tile selection that they offer our customers, and we love getting the new ranges in. Especially the offering for the middle design market in terms of style and price.”

The Warrnambool franchise store has been stocking National Tiles new range of flooring. Says Terry, “We sell a lot of vinyl plank and hybrid flooring, and the three new colours of the Kimberley range have been really appealing to the local market too. The flooring category is a growing category for us, it’s a great looking functional range that’s really well priced too.”

“We are fortunate to have the space to display the flooring as well,” says Dee. “It looks so effective, and we offer an installation service for the flooring which really helps. Our tiles are really popular for the wet areas in homes, for kitchen splashbacks and bathrooms in particular.”

Relocation from an industrial estate to the main highway has made a big difference in terms of traffic flow and the store’s profile, and this new site combined with an extensive range of well-priced tiles and an exciting new flooring category has seen National Tile’s first franchise store go from strength to strength.

1050 Raglan Parade, Warrnambool

The product range is better, the retail prices are more appealing and there is an amazing design offering. Our warehouse and supply chain are really streamlined as well.”

townsville

DEAN & TAMARA PARFREY, WITH THEIR FAMILY

The newest franchise to join the National Tiles stable, Tamara and Dean Parfrey launched the Townsville franchise in August 2019. Dean had been a tiler for 25 years and when an opportunity came up to open up a National Tiles store in the area it seemed like the ideal step for the couple. Whilst they hadn’t run their own retail business before, their combined skills and experience were perfect for taking the leap into the world of retail tiles.

“Tiling is really taxing physically,” explains Tamara. “It takes a toll on the body and after 25 years in the trade it was really tough for Dean. So after hours of talking, discussing, procrastinating and deliberating, we decided taking up the opportunity with National Tiles would be the best thing for us and for our three young children.”

Tamara advises working with a bank that really understands the franchise concept. She and Dean found their local ANZ bank extremely helpful, knowledgeable and supportive of the undertaking, and facilitated the process quickly and efficiently.

“The association with National Tiles was very smooth,” says Tamara. “It was John Zubovic that really encouraged us and inspired us and made us feel really confident. He was phenomenal. He held our hand through the whole process, helped us make the showroom as functional and appealing as possible and was with us the week we opened the store.”

The client base of the north Queensland franchise includes a lot of builders, and DIY homeowners. As a one stop shop and the only dual franchise in the area (the store is also a Carpet Call franchise), Tamara and Dean find that their customers can purchase all of their floor coverings in one space which is really appealing to the local market.

Dean’s experience as a tiler has also proved invaluable. Adds Tamara, “Dean’s biggest reservation about taking on the business was that he isn’t a salesperson, but because he knows the product so well he has a genuine ability to give hands on advice to our customers based on his own personal experience.”

With three small children, becoming business owners has been a real adjustment for the Parfrey family. They have learnt an incredible amount about tiles and flooring and have taken on the franchise opportunity with eagerness and enthusiasm. “It’s been such a steep learning curve, and we love it. With four team members and a plan to employ three more staff, the business is certainly growing. It’s been an awesome experience.

There are definitely some tile ranges that really resonate with our customers. For Townsville homes the Carrara marble tiles have been really popular. The Concrete Fusion range for a minimalist look, and the Studio range is also a great seller. Tiles are fabulous for the warm climate we enjoy all year round.”

301 Bayswater Rd, Garbutt