Partner Article

My Van Make-over

An online small business club is celebrating the growing number of independent businesses that are giving the big guys a run for their money – in their vans.

Enterprise Nation is offering small mobile business owners a van make-over that will help them stand out from the crowd as they deliver their lovingly-made products and services across the UK.

Me & My Van offers a series of profiles of business van owners courtesy of AXA Business Insurance and a sign-written make-over competition prize from vehicle design specialist Easisigns.

Enterprise Nation founder, Emma Jones, said: “Owning a van is one of the biggest investments for a growing business - and because of that, it can often be compromised.

“It’s no surprise that big brands invest heavily in their transport fleet – and yet for small businesses that have made the investment in a great set of wheels, the design is often neglected.

“Yet it’s a great asset that effectively means you are driving your own advertising bill board around. It can say a lot about your brand, and portray your values as well as offering contact details. It also reveals the fact that you are serious – that you’re here to stay and that people can rely on you.

“That’s why we felt it would be an excellent idea to offer those hard-working men and women out there the chance to make the most of their assets and grow their business via something as simple as a van make-over.”

The lucky winner will not only get shiny new graphics on their van, they will also see their business promoted via the Enterprise Nation website as well as AXA’s YouTube Channel.

AXA managing director Darrell Sansom said: “Supporting the small business owners that are providing a great service to their local communities is essential and something as simple as help to make the most of their existing assets can often make all the difference.”

Applications are via the website http://www.enterprisenation.com/blog/me-and-my-van-farm-direct-plus-win-a-makeover-for-your-company-van/

CASE STUDY

Robert Barker set up weekly online food ordering service Farm Direct three years ago. He wanted to connect people more easily to English farms and food producers, delivering a wide range of seasonal, British food in the North London area.

His business runs a pair of Renault Trafic refrigerated vans and experienced an upturn in business and now make sure they are visible at all times in the area to help naturally raise awareness of what the business does.

Robert said: “We invested in them fairly quickly – within nine months – as they were pretty important to our service. But having them branded gave us a significant pick up in volumes. We keep them dotted around Islington, so people can see them, and they certainly help to maintain awareness and promote who we are.

“We’ve received positive feedback on it from customers and there’s no doubt the vans have helped us to generate business. We don’t have retail premises, so they’re an important way for us build awareness of who we are and what we do.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Enterprise Nation .