Bev Taylor, InXpress

Bev Taylor is an award-winning franchisee based in Sydney. Back in 2017 she scooped a top award from the Franchise Council of Australia. She’s a high achiever, and loves the benefits of zero commuting time and flexibility around her working day. But she also understands first-hand the challenges of being a sole trader.

“There can be many downsides which can hinder work progress, development, and very much so your mental state,” she cautions.

She found two particular areas to be problematic.

Firstly, solitude. “There’s a lack of interaction with anyone other than customers so there’s no venting off to your colleagues about that difficult, unreasonable customer or asking if you have this formula right in Excel,” she points out. Then there’s the issue of absorbing new information. “I don’t get to learn new techniques from working with colleagues, or get basic validation of what I am saying and whether what I am doing is the best way to do something. The accountability of being around others holds you accountable in its own right so you are less likely to digress, spend too long on a personal call or open social media a little too much.

“At home there is always a distraction; maybe the washing needs doing, that one friend who is not at work wants to chat, or your social media is just crying out for you to take a quick peek.”

Taylor doesn’t let these minor downsides shape her working day, however, and she’s happy to share what keeps her in the moment.

“These are some of my tips and pointers which help me get back on track, keep focused and motivated, and really make the best of working from home.”