I’ve found the job I love — thanks to caring for my dad
A frAnchise can help women start up a business based around their family commitments.
While caring for her father, Albert, Julia Wade realised she’d like to help other elderly people. now she runs a care and home services franchise, surecare, with her husband, Bob.
Julia, 57, from ferndown, Dorset, says: ‘i was a local government officer when Dad came to live with us. As he got more dependent, i wanted to create a business that i was passionate about, offering others the type of personal care that Dad enjoys.’ she now has 30 staff.
‘Many are mothers and daughters. Women are good at multi-tasking and prioritising, which helps when delivering care.
‘i’ve also utilised the strategy and management skills from my previous job to develop the business.’
surecare managing director Gary farrer says: ‘ About half of our franchisees are women — we find that they have the empathy and organisational skills to make excellent franchisees.’
surecare offers large- area franchises for £32,000 and microfranchises from £8,995.
Many franchises are home-based, so they fit around family life. former model Debby carr opened a swimtime franchise seven years ago so she could work as well as care for her son. now she has 400 swimming students and manages 11 qualified swimming teachers. she wants to sell her franchise areas in Buckinghamshire, Berkshire, Oxfordshire and northamptonshire.
‘it is a thriving business, which can be bought as a whole for £62,000 negotiable, or i will sell individual areas,’ says Debby.
‘it is a management business, so you don’t need a swimming background, the hours are flexible, and you’re not tied to one location.’
rebecca cross, 34, from salisbury, Wiltshire, who has a smartPA virtual PA franchise, says: ‘Technology means i can work the hours i please and do the school run while building my own home business.’
smartPA chief executive officer Andrew Wright says: ‘ smartPA provides software that guarantees best practice and a seamless service for clients.’ investment is £10,000.