After 26 years in the Army, former serviceman Stephen Metham was looking for a career opportunity that would deliver exciting opportunities and strong financial returns.

After months of thorough research, 42-year-old Stephen decided his future lay with etyres, the UK’s first mobile tyre fitting franchise, and is now looking forward to launching the etyres Salisbury branch in May.

Stephen admits that after weighing up all the facts, it was an easy decision to make. “I soon realised that etyres was the perfect opportunity for me,” he explained. “It offers me the freedom to run my own business, working in an industry I am interested in and the chance to earn a good living.

“I left school at the age of 16 and joined the army a few months later,” he continued. “After 26 years I was ready for a fresh challenge and so I started to think about new career opportunities.

“I had a few clear ideas about what the direction I wanted to go in. I knew I wanted to be my own boss, because I wasn’t keen on starting a job where I was going to be told what to do by someone 20 years younger than me! My background means I am very focused, organised and capable.

“That is why franchising appealed to me. I am self-motivated and ambitious and I want to achieve financial security for my family, but I lack the business know-how and I can gain this by being part of a good franchise business.

“I also knew I wanted to work in the automotive industry, I have always loved tinkering with cars, have military driving experience and hold an HGV and motorbike license.

“A big attraction for me is that etyres is a very resilient business model, even during tough economic times. People will always need new tyres, they are not a luxury or something you can live with, which is how I see the likes of Chips Away and Revive.”

Stephen also recognised that etyres has a wide appeal for cost-conscious vehicle owners who are short on time and savvy with their cash. “etyres mobile fitting service makes it popular with motorists who want to avoid the hassle of driving to a tyre depot or garage and don’t want to waste their time sitting in a draughty waiting room while their new tyres are fitted.

“And because our overheads are low, it means we are able to offer highly competitive prices for all the tyres we supply and fit – so our service offers customers a win-win situation.”

An etyres franchise has proved to be a popular choice for former armed services personnel because many of the attributes they have can be transferred into running their own mobile tyre fitting branch, such as selfmotivation, strong work ethic, punctuality and good communication skills.