Join the women on their way to the top
NEARLY a quarter of franchises are already led by women — but franchisors would welcome more.
X-Press Legal Services franchisee Sandy Hennessey provides property-search services to conveyancers. Her business is growing fast — she now employs three people.
She says: ‘Being my own boss means I have flexibility in my working life, which means I also have time to help looking after my mother, who has dementia, and do DIY, which I enjoy.’
Sandy, 47, from Maghull, Merseyside, adds: ‘As a franchisee, I am part of a network, so I can chat to other women who understand what it’s like.’
Dave Lister, director of X-Press Legal Services, says: ‘ Almost 60 per cent of our franchisees are female and half of our award winners are women. Their ability to multitask and to combine teamwork and management are essential in franchising, so it’s not surprising so many female franchisees are successful.’
An X-Press Legal Services franchise costs from £29,750, plus working capital.
Dee Thompson, 36, chose the Pauline Quirke Academy of Performing Arts franchise for its flexibility: ‘ I have academies in Oxford and Swindon that open on Saturdays, so on weekdays I can do school runs with my son Zack, four, and look after Tyler, three. Zack comes with me to our singing, acting and dance classes on Saturdays.’
Eddie Dredge, Pauline Quirke Academy creative director, says: ‘ PQA’s model allows women to run their own business while managing a family; 66 per cent of our principals are women and we’d love to see more.’
The Pauline Quirke Academy charges no investment fees for new starters who fit its requirements and who invest up to £15,000 in launching new Academies.
Lisa Hammond, salesperson of the year from the Ripples bathroom franchise, says: ‘Many women customers prefer to deal with a woman, though many men are pleasantly surprised at my plumbing knowledge.’
Paul Crow, managing director at Ripples, where 56 per cent of franchisees are women, says: ‘We welcome women enquiring about the Ripples franchise, where women have a great track record.’