In conversation with Will Pryse

For Complete Weed Control franchisee Will Pryse, the business has always been part of his life, even if it wasn’t always part of the plan. Today, alongside his brother Hamish, Will manages a thriving multi-territory operation across the Home Counties, Warwickshire, South Midlands and the Chilterns, building on a legacy that began with their father more than four decades ago.

How did you get involved with Complete Weed Control?

Will: “My brother and I work together now, but the business actually started with our Dad back in 1982, the year after I was born. It’s always been there in the background, growing up, it was just part of life.

“As kids, we’d help out during school holidays, and even our family holidays were often spent with other franchisees. I remember trips away in October half term with other families in the network. There has always been a sense of community.

“That said, it wasn’t something I necessarily planned to go into. Hamish joined straight from school, but I went off in a different direction and worked in hospitality. It was only when Dad decided to retire that the opportunity came up. The timing felt right, and although I hadn’t officially been part of the business, I already understood it. Hamish had been doing it for five years by then, so it made sense to come back and join him.”

Has your experience in hospitality helped you in your current role?

Will: “Yes, definitely. Working in high-end hotels gives you a strong sense of customer service. It’s not just about doing a job, it’s about how you deliver it and how the customer feels at the end of it.

“These values are reflected across the network and something I’ve carried into the business. We’re not just turning up and spraying we’re providing a service, building relationships and representing a national brand. I think that mindset has helped us over the years.”

What’s it like working in a family business?

Will: “It works well for us because we’ve naturally taken on different roles. Hamish is very mechanically minded, so he looks after the machinery and operational side, while I focus more on customers and the business side. We dovetail quite nicely.

“Being family means you can be very honest with each other, which helps. When I first came back, Dad gave us a year of his time and then stepped away. That was important, he’d served his time and it meant we had to learn to run things ourselves. This is where being part of a wider network really helped.

“We’ve been doing this for 22 years now and the business has grown a lot in that time. We’re at a stage where we’re thinking about the future too. Between us, we’ve got four boys, so if they want to come into the business one day, they can. It’s something we can pass on, which is a real benefit of this kind of model.”

You’ve got that strong family foundation, but how important is the wider network?

Will: “It’s a big part of it. When Dad started, there were only a handful of franchises. Now it’s a national network, and that makes a huge difference.

“We’re running our own business, but we’re not on your own. There’s always someone we can call for advice and people are very open about sharing their experiences. If we come across a job we haven’t done before, chances are someone else has and they’ll help you through it. It happened recently on a wind farm job and gave us a head start learning from experience.

“We’ve also worked alongside other franchisees over the years, especially in the early days when we were growing. It gave us a chance to learn and pick up work at the same time. Even now, there’s still that collaboration, sharing equipment, knowledge or just offering a second opinion.”

How does the support from head office help?

Will: “It’s there when you need it, which is the key thing. There’s more support now than when we started, particularly around things like finance, sales and compliance as well as marketing.

“It’s reassuring to know that support is there. It takes away some of the pressure and allows you to focus on running and growing your business.”

Weather plays a big role in your industry. How do you manage that?

Will: “It’s always a factor, but having both sides of the business, weed control and gritting, is a major strength.

“The two services complement each other really well. When conditions aren’t right for spraying, gritting provides another stream of work and vice versa. It gives the business a level of balance that you wouldn’t have if you were just focused on one area.”

After 22 years, what do you enjoy most about the business?

Will: “I genuinely enjoy it. There aren’t many days where I don’t want to go to work.

It’s a varied job dealing with different customers, different environments and often outdoors, which is a big plus. The demand is there as well, we’re working in a sector that’s needed by a wide range of organisations.

“Most importantly, we’re in control of our own future, building something for ourselves and our family. Whether that’s something to pass on to the next generation or something to sell later down the line, it’s a solid business model.”

What would you say to someone considering becoming a franchisee?

Will: “I don’t think anyone grows up thinking they’ll become a weed control specialist but for me it’s been a fantastic career. The franchise model is a great opportunity and  provides a structured and supported route into business ownership. You’re starting your own business, but you’ve got the backing of an established brand and a network of people who want you to succeed. That’s a powerful combination.

“That support makes a big difference, especially in the early days, and the network continues to add value as you grow. It’s also worth remembering how much that support helps. It’s easy to take it for granted, but it’s a big part of what makes the business work.

“For me, it’s been a really good career and one that’s given us something we can build on as a family."