Franchise Article

After 15 years as a primary school teacher, a Worcester woman has turned her mentoring skills to local businesses.

Maria Burns (49) of Battenhall in Worcester, was a teacher at Abbeywood First School, but this year decided she wanted a complete change of career, establishing a business dedicated to helping smaller firms across the region beat the big brands by tapping into the power of the internet.

 “As a dedicated local shopper myself I know just how hard it is for many small retailers and service providers to compete against the giant chain stores and out-of-town shopping outlets,” said Maria.

“At the same time, more and more people are shopping online, so when I heard about ORCA Websites, I knew this was a route to helping local businesses compete. They provide big-brand quality websites, but at prices smaller companies can afford and I am now responsible for their customer relations across this region. This is an exciting new challenge for me and something I know will benefit businesses across Worcester.”

Maria, who has a son working as a sales executive and daughter at university, said she had enjoyed her teaching career, but had reached a stage where she wanted to explore new opportunities.

“The people skills I learned in teaching were a great platform for this new role and my first customers are local people I’ve known for years, who know that the internet is a vital tool for them, but had imagined that the time and cost involved in creating a good website was beyond their reach. Local fashion boutiques, jewellery stores, furniture outlets and care homes have been particularly responsive and I’m taking a great deal of pleasure in helping them take on the big names.”

Maria is now sourcing and meeting businesses across Worcester who can benefit from creating or upgrading their websites.

She is the interface between the client and ORCA’s “factory” in Leeds, briefing its central team of experienced designers to produce hard-working websites which reflect the unique positioning of each client. She adds:

“Smaller retailers and service providers are facing mounting pressure from chains and out-of-town shopping centres.   But over 22 million people use the web every month in the UK, searching for information about goods and services.  Over £50 billion was spent online last year.   A professional online presence is fast proving to be the small business’ savior.  Traders and manufacturers are also starting to recognise the power of the internet as a prime source of business.  

“Perceptions are that branded, quality websites which rank high on the search engines must cost a fortune, but as the ORCA concept was built with small businesses in mind, we empathise with their needs.    Most small firms have to work within very tight budgetary restraints in marketing their products and services, especially at start-up.  Our websites have to be (and are) affordable for them.  

“And even then, we offer them the opportunity to spread the cost of that relatively modest investment over six months.   By about month three if they’re selling online, they’re usually in the money; a good website can pay for itself in new business generated in a matter of weeks.   

“Business owners I’m speaking to are gobsmacked at the quality of the sites we’re creating for them.   The outcomes of their investment are measurable, and they provide an invaluable source of management information.  They also optimize any other marketing spend, as potential customers can be steered to the site to find out more.”     

ORCA is a national franchise operation, dedicated to providing quality, affordable websites for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK.