Market Focus
What advice would you give to anyone considering taking on a franchise in the care sector? It’s hard work. Everyday you will have a problem that you will need to resolve quickly. Be sure that you are able to give 100 per cent, never ever cut corners and always work within the rules and guidelines. Honesty is key. Remember this is the care sector and you’re dealing with people’s lives.
Kare Plus
Jamie Hickson felt inspired to work in the care industry after a close relative developed a terminal illness and this prompted him to want to give something back. He has been running his Kare Plus franchise in Cheshire since June last year, providing a nursing and domiciliary care service for the sick and elderly.
Caremark
How easy was it to set up? It’s not easy, but to my knowledge setting up a business never is! Through the help of the head office team in Wolverhampton I was given training and guidance and that enabled me to raise my first customer invoice within two months. I used the Kare Plus experience, knowledge and systems to help me get off to a great head start.
Why did you decide on working in the care sector?
Everyone seems to have their own story as to why they got involved in the care sector. Sadly it was a close relative’s terminal illness that brought my attention to this industry, as it quite simply prompted me to want to give something back. Also it made common sense to start a business within this sector, living in the time of an ageing population, the increase in demand for homecare and a sector that will always be resilient to the economic climate.
Do you agree that there is an increase in demand for healthcare providers as a result of an ageing population? Yes of course, that is why so many care companies have evolved in recent years. There is a market out there and if you get it right it pays handsome dividends. It’s all about the quality of care, that is what counts.
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Businessfranchise.com | February 2012
Janis Anderson, managing director of Caremark in Aylesbury and Wycombe, joined the franchise in 2009. Caremark provides care and support to people who wish to remain living in their own home but require some support to do so.
What brought you into franchising? I previously had a job that involved a lot of travelling, and I eventually realised that I wanted to work closer to home. I also wanted a career in something that involved providing something of worth to others. I soon realised that franchising was a good way of getting into a new industry. There is also very real benefit to being part of a franchise rather than trying to start a business from scratch. This is particularly true for the care sector.
How have you found the training and support provided by the Caremark support team?
Both have been excellent; the training prepared me well for the launch of my business and gave me a good grounding in all aspects of the health and social care sector, as well as the Caremark systems and business. The support is strong and sound advice is always available if required.
What would you say were the main components of your success? It would definitely be optimism and having a really pro-active approach to the business. You have to believe that you will grow and keep working to achieve a diversity of customer base without being reliant on any one group in particular. From the financial aspect, you have to have a strong hand on your cash flow, plus have a clear vision of how your actions will affect your cash flow – this is crucial.
Has becoming a franchise owner changed your life? Yes, it has definitely improved my quality of life and also I feel I am doing something which is important and of value to my community. It has also given me more of a locally based life as my work is in my local community.
“It’s a very rewarding business, it’s not easy but you can achieve a great level of personal satisfaction from it. It’s always great when you hear positive feedback from people; it helps to keep you motivated”
Home Instead Senior Care
Catharine Chalton and her husband Mike recently picked up gold at The British Franchise Association/HSBC Franchise of the Year awards for running a Home Instead Senior Care franchise in the Wirral, offering home care to the elderly.
How did you start out? Before joining the care sector, I was working
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