Client Success Stories
Sobik's Subs
Paul Kirby was working more than 60 hours a week as a manager of a sports store. His wife Kay was working hard for the Bolton Council. So much of their time was spent working just to make ends meet. Feeling that the competition was too high in keeping up with the “Jones’s” they felt they were missing out on what mattered most—their beautiful children, Gemma, 15, and Mathew, 8.
Wanting to spend more time with their children, with each other and pursuing personal interests the Kirby family wanted to make a change.
While attending a Villa Exhibition in Manchester, Paul and Kay met a representative from the New Horizons Group who told them the opportunities of working in Florida. The Kirbys felt that this would be the perfect change they were looking for. The thought of living in the Florida climate would be very nice as well.
After consulting with New Horizons Group, Paul and Kay decided that an E-2 Treaty Investor Visa seemed to be the best route for them to make their new found dream of living in the United States a reality.
The Business and Franchise division of the New Horizons Group, worked with the Kirbys over many months by e-mail, fax and phone that would allow them to have the lifestyle change they were seeking. After seeing many business opportunities on paper and in person, Paul and Kay found the business that suited them most. It was a sandwich shop franchise called Sobik’s, located in the Maitland area of Orlando, Florida. Sobik’s seemed to fit their financial and lifestyle needs.
They never gave much thought in owning a franchise; however the name recognition, support, and successful systems was very appealing. They felt their chances of success would be a lot greater. Unlike other franchises, Sobik’s would qualify them for a Visa. Sobik’s would also allow them enough freedom in running the store that it would truly feel like their own unlike other franchises with very strict policies. The Kirby family obtained their visa and took over the Sobik’s business three months later.
Their Sobik’s store is doing well and they are excited because they feel it still has a lot more growth potential. They currently have two great employees Cassie and Brandie who have helped build their business. The Kirbys are now looking to purchase a new home through the New Horizons Group.
The Kirbys are an example of a great success story. Their dreams have come true. Kay says that “Things are a bit slower here, everyone is happy and there’s no bad weather.”
Their biggest success in the move can be found not by their soon-to-be new house or by their customers at their business. It can be found when you drive by their home and see Paul playing football with their son Mathew. It’s those types of precious times in life that Paul can now enjoy that means the most.