Franchising can help females get their careers back on track

With women losing their jobs at a faster rate than men, how can you rediscover your purpose? Encouraging Women into Franchising offers some advice

Have you been affected by the fallout from the pandemic? The coronavirus crisis has seen women bear the brunt of increased unemployment or an urgent need to exit the workplace to focus on family, which has intensified their sense of isolation and fear of being left behind in their career.

This has led to a loss of purpose and increased anxiety about returning to work in the future.

According to the Women in Work Index 2021, produced by PricewaterhouseCoopers for the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, the impact of the pandemic ‘hit women the hardest’ - a clear indication of the disproportionate challenges women continue to face.

What is your purpose?

Many of us have various ‘purposes’ for different stages of our life. There’s a time to be a student and a time to step onto the first rung of the career ladder. There may be a time to raise a family. There may also be a time to become a CEO.

There’s definitely a time for you to choose your purpose and to work out how to make it a reality. And while your purpose can be affected by the situations you encounter, such as redundancy, losing your job or changing direction, these don’t define you in the long term.

Can franchising help?

Encouraging Women into Franchising thinks so. In fact, the not-for-profit organisation believes when you find the right franchise and know you belong we are stronger together. So the fact you’re exploring your options within franchising means you’re curious about what you can personally achieve by running your own business.

Here’s how

• Franchising can give you renewed confidence in your capabilities. You can step into the world of business ownership following full training provided by your franchisor. This includes everything from operating under its brand to business management and staff management.
• You can gain a sense of purpose as the boss. The only person you compete against is who you were ‘yesterday’. The success of your business depends on the effort you put into growing it. Find a renewed sense of purpose as you hit your targets and achieve your goals.
• You have role models and supportive people to inspire you. Seeing women like you, building amazing business for themselves, renews our hope in our own abilities. If she can do it, so can you. You are the author of your future.

What’s next?

Decide which industry you want to run your business in and the type of franchise you want to operate and explore what’s available. The EWiF and British Franchise Association websites can help you do this. Then take your first step.

Approach the franchisor and ask them about their upcoming discovery day and how you can book a place on it. Go along and find out more about what you can achieve with its support.