Dear Lucy...

I've just had your email - which I hope you don't mind me reproducing here - but I just wanted to say I'm so very proud of what you are achieving and know personally how much work goes into producing a franchise operation...so what you've got going is brilliant! I'm absolutely made up for you and your success!

For my dear readers let me just explain...I met Lucy at the BBC last summer when we both went for a screentest for the new BBC 3 business programme - the Last Millionaire. (for those of you who are interested - we did both get through and we were asked to do the show - sadly though due to timings at my end I couldn't go, Lucy however did go and did fantastically - taking it down to the wire and keeping us all on tenterhooks to the last!! In case you don't know her already - Lucy is the dark haired Welsh minx of an accountant who has a personal chef!!) Anyway - it seems that since the show Lucy has been a very busy bunny...here's the email I had from them today -

"Mazuma are delighted to announce the launch of three new Associates offices across the UK.Sarah Howell and Michilla Mason operate from East London and are delighted to be the first Mazuma franchise operating in the UK’s capital. Sarah comments: “Michilla and I had always wanted to run our own accountancy business. I spotted Mazuma in the monthly AAT magazine and I was very impressed by what Mazuma had achieved. I love the concept that Mazuma offers and when I saw the Associate opportunity I decided to grab it with both hands! Michilla and I are extremely excited to have this opportunity. In our first two days of business we acquired four clients - I think that speaks for itself!Ally O’Meally-Watson is operating in the Welsh capital, covering the South of Cardiff and The Vale of Glamorgan area from her base in cosmopolitan Cardiff Bay. David Wallace is operating in the ambitious new city of Milton Keynes and comments: “Mazuma is a breath of fresh air, and the most exiting development in Accountancy services in years. All clients have to do is send us their paperwork monthly, then their management accounts are returned promptly and we deal with the rest. After spending 25 years in the profession, I believe this will change the image of accountants. Other accountants send you accounts months after the event, from Mazuma it’s actual, now, live and fresh. As Milton Keynes is amongst the fastest growing and most entrepreneurial areas of the UK, Mazuma's style, philosophy and service are an excellent fit”. The three new Associates join after the successful trial of the first Associate that took place over two years, based in the North of Cardiff.Sophie Hughes, Director of Mazuma GB who operates the franchise, comments: “We have been overwhelmed with the interest that we have received since the launch of our exciting franchise. It is a unique offering and provides people with the opportunity to operate their own business under the vibrant and nationally recognised brand of Mazuma”. Lucy Cohen, Director of Mazuma GB adds: “With the launch of three new franchisees across the UK and more due to launch in early 2009, we aim to reach and better our targets of launching 12 franchisees in 2009. Despite the recession, franchising is set to boom and the Mazuma franchise is a terrific opportunity to take up at this time”.Various areas of the UK are still available and separated by postal regions and population in the areas. You must be a qualified accountant and hold (or be able to apply for) a practising licence through your accountancy body before you commence trading as a Mazuma Associate. We hold extensive training courses on how to build, manage and grow your business and market yourself when you become an Associate so you are not “thrown in at the deep end”, and we are on hand for you once you are an Associate to help you along the way with tips and guidance. If you, or someone you know are interested in this exciting opportunity please call us on 0845 310 5654 or email us at info@mazumamoney.co.uk to request a prospectus and application form.
Click here: http://www.mazumamoney.co.uk/ "

So if you happen to know someone who you think might it the bill then I suggest you give them a nudge...knowing Lucy as I do, I know that this company will bring a vibrancy to accountancy and is sure to be a success for any franchisee who takes up their offering.

As for you Lucy...success is sure to follow all your hard ground work and frankly my dear if anyone deserves it...you do. Congratulations on the release fo the franchise and here's to the continued future success of the network. :-)