The family tragedy that made Hannah a winner
What makes a franchisee successful? award-winner hannah Drury says the key is passion and commitment.
this year’s British Franchise association Franchisee of the Year (and Young Franchisee of the Year), she took over as operations manager for the Caremark franchise in Sutton, Surrey, when her stepfather Simon became ill.
‘I’m a hard worker and I was up for the challenge,’ says hannah.
She originally left school to help care for her terminally ill sister. and when Simon died in 2015, hannah, then 25, took over the franchise he had set up, providing home care for older people and children with disabilities, illness or people who want help living independently.
‘I had never worked in the care sector, but the training I received was helpful and the network of other franchisees has been a great source of support,’ she says.
Since hannah took over, turnover and profits have increased by 70 per cent. ‘the awards committee could see that I had faced challenging circumstances and come through it positively,’ she says. ‘ to be successful, you must be passionate and care about what you do, and surround yourself with people who have the same morals as you and provide complementary skills.’
Ruth Morris, the Creation Station franchisee in aberdeen, was named as the Microbusiness Franchisee of the Year due to her enterprising nature.
Ruth, 40, says: ‘I’ve grown in so many ways by running my own franchise. Wonderful support from everyone at the Creation Station has allowed me to really enjoy my business. It’s great to make a differ- ence to the families I work so closely with and it all comes down to the fact that I really enjoy what I do.’
Creation Station managing director Sarah Cressall says: ‘the children’s and adult art and crafts classes, parties and events our franchise owners provide benefit communities. Ruth’s business has enhanced her community and given her greater personal happiness and more time for her family than her previous professional career.’ Caremark 01903 266392, The Creation Station 01395 239 700.