Interview with Chun Tsang - MBE Sheffield Franchisee
Building
on success
Qualified
accountant Chun Tsang, who has just taken over the Mail Boxes Etc. franchise in
Sheffield, is excited about growing business at his already-thriving centre and
embracing the opportunities that come with being your own boss.
Chun had
always wanted to work for himself, but spent the early part of his career in
the corporate environment. “When I spotted that MBE Sheffield had come up for
sale due to the retirement of the previous owner, Frank Bigley, I decided to
look into the MBE franchise,” he explains. “I found it really interesting
because there are so many strands to the business. That’s what attracted me
initially. Franchising itself also seemed like a secure bet – the support is
there and it’s a proven formula.”
Chun, who
has lived in Sheffield for 20 years, was born in Hong Kong and brought up in
Essex. He met his wife when they were both travelling, and they eventually
settled down in Sheffield, so he knows the city well.
Shortlisted
for the 2010 City of Culture designation, Sheffield’s economy has seen steady
growth in recent years and its two universities bring around 60,000 students to
the area every year. MBE Sheffield has a long history of serving the city’s
students, law firms and small businesses. “Frank had the store for many years
and had streamlined it brilliantly,” says Chun, who took over in August. “It’s
busy, but I inherited two staff members who are really good, so I know I can
rely on them to keep things running efficiently. I’m keen to learn from them
and take the time to gain a better grasp of the business.”
Exploring
opportunities
Much of MBE
Sheffield’s business is based around pack and ship. “We do a lot of Auction
Logistics work [MBE’s dedicated shipping service for antiques, fine art and
collectables]. Most of the local auction houses ship with us, including
Sheffield Auction Gallery and Wilkinson’s in Doncaster.” Asked why he thinks
this is such a strong income stream, Chun cites the recent pandemic among other
things. “People have been bidding at online auctions because they were stuck at
home and had nothing else to do.”
Chun is
determined to also build up the print and copy side of the business. “We have a
bit of an advantage in that there are fewer local print shops around now, due
to the pandemic.”
Mailbox
rental is now at an all-time high for MBE Sheffield. “It’s difficult to say
exactly why,” says Chun, “but I think one factor is that more people are
setting up companies from home, and they want to be able to register their
business at a mailbox address and keep their professional and personal lives
separate.”
His customer
base is mainly SMEs. “As a brand, MBE is aiming to move more towards serving
the B2B community, so with that policy in mind I will be looking out for new
ways to work with local firms and grow business with my existing customers. I
think that’s very exciting.”
Goal
setting
Chun is
taking his new responsibilities as an entrepreneur very much in his stride. “I
am trained in how to run a business, so it isn’t daunting. You just need to get
your budget sorted out and focus on what you are aiming at.” His goal for the
next twelve months is to consolidate on what he’s already got with this
successful centre, improve where he can, grow the business steadily and seek
more B2B opportunities.
The best
thing about running his own business, says Chun, is being in charge and doing
his own thing. “It means quicker decision-making. Having been in the corporate
world, it takes forever to get things moving. I’ve got great staff, which gives
me freedom to look for new opportunities. You get out what you put in. I want
to build a culture where I recognise and thank my staff and my customers –
build relationships. I find that prospect really inspiring.”