Working 9 til 5?

Had enough of the corporate rat race? Invest in the right franchise and, once your business is up and running, the daily grind could be a thing of the past, says Katie Shevlin

The results of the recent Business Franchise Survey indicated that, when looking at potential businesses to invest in, ‘flexibility’ ranked very highly among the key aspects of a franchise that prospective franchisees consider to be important, coming second only to the ‘reputation of the brand’.

Of course, any business requires some initial hard work to get started but you get out what you put in and being your own boss often affords a good work-life balance in the long run.

With a hands-on franchise, and particularly with those that are home- or van-based, there is freedom to schedule appointments and plan your working day to fit around other commitments.

Management franchises usually reach a point where the staff and the business can function on a day-to-day basis without needing to be supervised, which means the franchisee can focus on the development of the business – putting in the hours but not necessarily during a nine-to-five, five-day week. 

There is also flexibility to be found in the pace of business growth – these goals can be set by the franchisee, allowing you to expand without decreasing your quality of life. This is a hugely attractive proposition, especially for those with young families or a long commute to and from work.

The type and scope of the flexibility will vary with each franchise and the demands of the services they offer, and it is crucial to ensure you are clear on what the business will entail, both at the outset and ongoing.

Here, three franchisees explain why they chose to invest with their particular brand and describe how franchising has improved their work-life balance.

Ovenclean

When Clare Pearson and her husband Clive found they were expecting twins 11 years ago, the high-powered couple decided that their demanding career-focussed lifestyles needed to change.

Why did you choose to franchise and why with Ovenclean in particular?

I wanted to be at home with my children and Clive was determined that his late evenings and working weekends should come to an end. When we spotted the Ovenclean opportunity, we knew it was for us. I would be able to handle bookings and paperwork at home, whilst Clive would be out at the ‘sharp end’ cleaning ovens and building the business.

How has investing in a franchise improved your lifestyle?

We are still enjoying the flexibility that being self-employed offers. Having the business has meant we have been ableto balance our careers with the demands of having a growing family. 

In what way is your Ovenclean business flexible?

I have been able to be at home with the children during the day, fitting my work around being available for dentist appointments, school plays, assemblies and the school run. We are often ableto rearrange the diaries around the holidays so I am able to have a few days off with the children. This has meant that we’ve been able to see them grow up in a way that would not havebeen possible if we had stayed in the corporate world.

How is business going so far and what are your plans for the future?

We have a database of several thousand regular customers and now operate three vehicles and have taken on two employees. Long-term plans are to expand the business further to enable Clive to take more of management role,but in the meantime he’s thoroughly enjoying being hands-on. We had a very good 2013 and 2014 is looking encouraging too.

Do you have any regrets?

It’s been perfect for us. We have a stress-free, successful business, a great work-life balance and, most importantly, we’ve been able to put our family at the centre of our lives – and it’s all thanks to Ovenclean! 

EweMove.com

Prior to franchising with EweMove.com, Simon Wraw worked as a financial director in the City for some of the UK’s leading high-street banks.

Why did you choose EweMove.com?

EweMove.com ticked a lot of boxes for me. Apart from it being local and home-based (avoiding the need for expensive premises) the business model is simple and clear. It’s also a company with a lotof energy and innovation, something I’m really proud to be a part of.

What attracted you to franchising?

The decision to run my own business was largely a lifestyle one. I had previously spent many years working away from home, commuting up to six hours every day. I was missing out on my family growing up so my wife and I decided itwas time for a major change!

In what ways is the business flexible?

The pace of business growth is incredibly flexible. As part of training, each franchisee develops their own personal business plan, which is built around their own goals and ambitions – it’s up to them how quickly they choose to grow and develop their businesses.

What kind of support do you receive from EweMove.com?

We have a dedicated franchisee development coach who is committed to helping franchisees achieve their goals. Support is also given through ongoing training, workshops and webinars. 

Dublcheck

Graham Coulston Hermann retired from Lancashire Constabulary after 30 years of service.

What attracted you to franchising?

I had no business experience and no real idea of what I wanted to do other than run my own business. I was initially drawn to franchising by its impressive statistics in comparison with those for independent start-ups.

Why did you choose Dublcheck?

I attended The British Franchise Exhibition in Manchester in June 2012. During the day I spent some time on the Dublcheck stand and was taken by the friendly, helpful people there. I came away and looked at the figures and liked the guaranteed turnover in year one. I also liked the idea that I didn’t need to take out a huge loan, as the start-up costs were quite low in comparison to some other franchises.

How is a Dublcheck franchise flexible?

The Dublcheck concept has allowed me to grow the business into a managed franchise, giving me the flexibility to fit work around my wife’s busy schedule and three young, sport-mad children.

How is business going so far?

I took an option of buying in at £50,000 turnover, which we reached by month seven. I make sure to visit all our clients to check on the quality of service and to ensure that standards remain at the same level as when I started the contract. 

What training and support do Dublcheck offer?

I had a mentor for the first 12 months who provided valuable advice and guidance as well as a second set of eyes to run things past. I recently attended a ‘Kick Start’ programme, which has increased my confidence in selling. 

You may also be interested in...