Franchising is a fantastic route into business ownership for women, Pip Wilkins, chief executive of the British Franchise Association, says
It’s well known that business format franchising offers a safer route into selfemployment and business ownership. It achieves this through the use of proven business systems and the prestige of an established brand identity.
Although franchising is not a golden ticket to success or a licence to print money, it provides motivated individuals with the opportunity to go into business for themselves, but not by themselves.
Adaptable
The adaptability of franchising means that businesses of different sizes and from various sectors can expand their brands’ reach nationally or internationally, with franchisees at the helm of each local business.
This means the franchising industry provides a suitable model for business growth - from small homebased ventures to larger multi-unit operations. As a result, franchising can offer fulfilling business opportunities, whatever motivates the franchisee.
Whether they aspire to flexible hours to fit around family commitments or the potential for greater business growth to reap larger financial rewards, this flexibility is what makes franchising a fantastic route into business ownership for women in particular.
Starting a new business is never going to be a walk in the park, as franchisees are required to commit significant time and money at the start and to continue growing the business.
That said, knowing they are following a proven business format with ongoing support from their franchisor means franchisees are able to avoid making costly mistakes that otherwise could derail their business before it makes it off the ground.
The comfort of knowing they are following a proven business model with ongoing support, along with the abundance of small and flexible business opportunities available, makes franchising a popular choice for mothers who are returning to work, but want the freedom to control their own schedule.
Opening a small home-based business doesn’t mean women need to limit their opportunity for growth, as many brands are able to help their franchisees expand their businesses when the time is right through further support to maximise their original business and opportunities to invest in additional territories within their local area.
Dedicate
This means ambitious women who want the flexibility of being on hand for their infant children are able to dedicate more time to their businesses when their children require less of their time - for instance, when they start to attend school.
The comprehensive training and support offered by a franchisor means franchisees do not have to have previous experience within the business they’re interested in.
This is because the franchisor is looking for skills related to the growth of the business, as opposed to the dayto- day operation itself - a franchisor can teach you how to do the job, but the business acumen is all your own.
As such, we find women thrive in sectors that, through gender bias, a not always associated with women. These sectors include automotive services, building maintenance, courier services and more.
Vast opportunities are opened up for women to obtain the fulfilling career they desire in an area that interests them, as opposed to being tied to a particular type of business due to their previous experience.
Champion
To champion women in business, the British Franchise Association will be hosting Women in Franchising on November 16 at Chesford Grange Hotel in Warwick.
This year’s theme is Create, Connect, Cultivate; creating a network to connect excellence and cultivate success.
The event will feature various professional speakers, including keynote speaker, inspirational Dragons’ Den success story, inventor and author Sharon Wright.
So to brush shoulders with likeminded and ambitious women, visit www.thebfa.org/events to book your place.
