More women urged to take the plunge
IS A franchise the answer for women seeking flexible work?
Yes, it can be, says Tamsin Brewis, the British Franchise Association Female Franchisee of the Year 2017. ‘Many women want their own business for the flexibility, and more franchises are aimed at women who want to work around a family,’ says Tamsin, 55, who invested in her Water Babies baby swimming franchise in 2004.
However, other franchises are for women who want a business with the emphasis mainly on profit.
Tamsin advises: ‘Think about what you want from a business. Talk to franchisors to find out if you share your aims.’
Paul Thompson, group executive chairman of Water Babies, says: ‘Over 90pc of our franchisees are women and are more in tune with the needs of young families, drawing from their own experience.’ The franchise costs £30,000.
Hannah Drury, Caremark care services franchisee in Sutton, Surrey, runs the business around a young family, while studying for an Open University degree and helping local causes.
Hannah, 25, says: ‘The franchisor and other franchisees helped me when I took over the franchise.’
She has grown the business by 70 pc and is now the BFA HSBC Young Franchisee of the Year and overall Franchisee of the Year 2017.
David Glover, franchise recruitment manager at Caremark, where 43pc of franchisees are women, says: ‘Our female franchisees say they appreciate our proven business model, support and impact on the community.’ The investment is £32,950.
WaTer Babies, 01404 5480348; Caremark, 01903 266392.