Running a franchise territory as part of a graduate scheme in your mid-twenties is no small achievement. We recently caught up with Molly Noott, Speedy Parcels’ Shipping Consultant for Cheshire East, to talk about her journey into sales and logistics and what the experience has been like so far.
While Molly works in the world of shipping and logistics, our conversation went far beyond parcels and deliveries. We discussed the realities of running a business, the importance of strong communication in a fast-moving environment, and the unexpected moments that make the day-to-day both challenging and rewarding.
Molly also shared insights into the skills that help keep operations running smoothly from problem-solving and adaptability to building relationships with customers and colleagues.
For anyone considering becoming a Speedy Parcels Franchisee, Molly’s story offers a valuable look into the day in the life of a Speedy Parcels shipping consultant. It’s a path that requires commitment, resilience, and a willingness to learn, but it can also open the door to exciting opportunities.
In this Q&A, Molly reflects on the lessons she’s learned, the challenges she’s faced, and what it takes to build and grow a business within the Speedy Parcels network.
What was it like on Day 1 and during your initial training?
Two weeks of intensive training is the start point for every Speedy Parcels franchisee. The idea was quite daunting but I arrived to a super warm welcome from a really friendly group of franchisees, plus the Speedy team. It was fantastic to have a shared, in-person experience – it’s made all the difference in terms of building great team spirit, from the start.
We were trained by operations and sales experts, so we learned ALL the necessary skills and built all the knowledge we were going to need to start our own businesses. The training was very interactive and honestly fun! We did lots of role plays and everything was as hands-on as possible – which meant it was fast-paced but supportive at the same time.
How did you feel when the training was over?
Excited! I actually surprised myself but we’d covered so much ground with coaches who made sure we were 100%, before progressing, so my confidence grew fast and I honestly felt ready for real world scenarios after those two weeks.
Training spanned everything from emails and cold calls to best practice and public speaking – we’d even had a tour of the warehouse! Lots of super valuable one-to-one time with the Director of Operations and Sales Franchise Support meant I’d had opportunities to ask more questions, drill down into trickier techniques and see off any doubts or worries. By the end, I was eager to crack on!
Do you have enough support now, 4 months in?
Absolutely! The support is always there; by email or phone, we have constant access to Chris and John. They respond really quickly and are happy to help, which means I never worry about sorting out problems or tackling new challenges.
At the start, all franchisees have two catch-ups per week, that reduces to fortnightly as and when you need less guidance – I wouldn’t have the time for that now! Every week we have our Monday afternoon Masterclass, which is brilliant. During the Masterclass we hear about opportunities, new carriers or new prospecting approaches but we also share our challenges and celebrate our successes – it really helps to build and maintain that important, supportive ‘team’ feeling in our cohort.
Marketing support is better than I had ever expected. We have really polished decks and lots of high-quality promotional materials too. The team is always revising and sending new options and ideas – it’s always evolving!
What’s this we hear about designer clothes and vodka?
Haha – I’m getting Speedy famous! My area is really diverse and there are LOADS of opportunities but there is also lots of competition, so I’ve been developing my own USP with niche businesses. It’s simple – I’ve been looking and learning about my community! Tapping into the people and places around me and starting up conversations has led me to win lots of brilliant accounts – like my opposite neighbour who produces a very on-trend boutique vodka and the stunning men’s fashion designer who ships internationally but just so happens to be on my way to Sainsbury’s! Just last week I met a top influencer and WAG – in a warehouse, would you believe – and I’ve picked up accounts through a local celebrity – all because I went into his shop and used my cold calling skills to strike up a sales conversation.
Which of your skills have most helped you to be successful?
In any sales role, time management, persistence and resilience are up there – you have to prioritise the right tasks, take the knockbacks and keep going! For me, my strong communication skills have been invaluable.
Being able to talk, email or present to anyone from a CEO of a large business to a sole trader in a warehouse makes the job easy. If you’ve got drive and you enjoy building relationships, you’ll nail it! A lot of my time is spent interacting with people and working out what makes them tick – it’s the best way to win business.
You’ll need to get comfortable around data, logistics and shipment information but you’ll learn all that in training – it’s second nature to me already!
Cards on the table – any days when you regret taking on this opportunity?
Nope. Never. There are, for sure, days when I feel a lack lustre – the slow days when nothing seems to be getting over the line. Sometimes a big day of appointments can be pretty tiring but self-discipline and continuous training really get you through. You’ve got to be independent and able to keep yourself motivated, but the constant support of the Speedy team and my cohort is brilliant. They are such a friendly bunch – you never feel isolated and I certainly never deal with a problem alone! I know everyone says it but running your own operation really is the best of both worlds.
Ready to Explore Franchise Opportunities?
If Molly’s story has inspired you and you’d like to learn more about becoming a Franchisee with Speedy Parcels, we’d love to help. Franchise ownership can be a rewarding way to build a business with ongoing support and professional development.
Get in touch today to discover franchise opportunities and see if this path could be right for you.
