A World Options franchise partner in Teesside has expanded a long-standing client relationship with award-winning tanning brand uGlow, underlining the value of the World Options model for franchisees building strong B2B customer accounts.

uGlow, founded in Stockton-on-Tees by entrepreneur Louise Cooper, has grown into an award-winning beauty manufacturer with plans to launch new products into international markets. As part of that growth, the business has expanded its contract with World Options franchise partner Stephen Hingley, who has supported the company’s UK distribution for several years.

The new agreement means the World Options portal is now integrated into uGlow’s website and distribution systems, helping the business prepare for a broader international launch while strengthening operational efficiency.

For prospective franchisees, the story is a useful example of how the World Options franchise model supports more than one-off transactions. It shows how franchise partners can win client trust, solve practical shipping problems and grow accounts over time as customer needs become more complex.

Louise Cooper, founder and managing director of uGlow, said Stephen was recommended after she had a poor experience dealing directly with a major courier company during the delivery of her first batch of products to a wholesale distributor.

She said: “Working with World Options, our products are shipped using the most appropriate courier company for each shipment, but crucially we have Stephen on the end of the phone to call if there is ever a problem or delay.”

That hands-on support is one of the clearest strengths of the World Options approach. Franchise partners give customers access to major carriers and competitive rates, but also provide a dedicated point of contact who can help with the day-to-day realities of shipping, including service selection, troubleshooting and paperwork.

As uGlow now moves towards international growth, Stephen’s role has also grown. The expanded contract demonstrates how franchise partners can become embedded in a client’s wider logistics operation, creating recurring commercial relationships rather than simply processing occasional shipments.

Louise said: “We are now planning to step up our manufacturing and distribution here on Teesside, with a new range of products aimed at the international market, so I am very happy to extend our contract with Stephen, whereby the World Options portal is now synched into our own website, which from an ex-engineer’s point of view is the perfect smooth-running solution.”

Stephen Hingley said: “The world of international shipping is becoming ever more complex. At World Options, we simplify shipping for businesses of all sizes offering tailored solutions for parcels and freight, international deliveries, import, export, and time-sensitive courier services.”

He added: “Our network of trusted carriers allows us to provide competitive rates and efficient, reliable service. Through our portal, customers like uGlow can use the exact same mainstream couriers as when booking direct, but with an extra level of customer service from a dedicated carrier partner, who is always on-hand to answer queries and assist with complex paperwork requirements.”

For anyone exploring a courier franchise in the UK, the uGlow account is a strong example of what the opportunity can look like in practice: building trusted client relationships, helping SMEs solve real operational issues and growing alongside customers as they scale.