Working from home is a sure sign of success
RUNNINg a business from home sounds like the answer to many people’s prayers. It can be, but it’s not as easy as it looks, says Lin Purslow.
Nine years ago, Lin bought the Countrywide Signs franchise for the Rochdale area, which involved erecting sales and lettings sign boards for local estate agents.
‘The business was home-based and initially I went out in the liveried van, putting up and taking down boards myself,’ says Lin. ‘It was great, especially in the summer. Seeing the boards go up gave me a sense of achievement and I was proud to be putting them up on behalf of my clients.’
Soon Lin’s business grew and she now covers Manchester, Stockport and Tameside, with 200 estate agent clients and a team of four van drivers erecting signs.
All this was achieved while working from home and bringing up her children Lucas, now 20, and Libby, 14. ‘I appreciated the ability to run the business around my family, but as it grew it changed,’ says Lin.
‘My home started to be taken over by a vinyl printer and sign boards. It was hard to get away from work, too — I was working until 11pm sometimes, after the children were in bed.’
She realised that her business had outgrown her house and took on a business unit 30 minutes away.
‘It has improved my quality of life,’ she adds. ‘The family can sit down to eat without being surrounded by my work.’
A Countrywide Signs franchise can be run from home, full or part-time. Director Justin Pearce says: ‘The £14,995 investment includes access to accounts, marketing, business management and a bespoke software package to optimise driver’s rounds. Our online board management system also allows agents to send instructions directly to our network, reducing administration time.’