Special Feature
them in a more positive way when it comes to emotional choices.
How has your life changed since investing in a Promedica24 franchise? It has changed my life dramatically. There are the initial financial implications of giving up a guaranteed income and starting up a new business, but I am passionate about what Promedica24 does, and what it can do for my community, which is what keeps me going.
What advice would you give to women considering a franchise? Do your market research and speak to as many current franchisees as you can. If, like me, you want to feel like you are running your own business, you also need to ask about autonomy and decision-making and find out where certain decisions sit – with you or with the head office.
Promedica24 Mira Balac
Mira lives in Warwickshire and comes from a sales and marketing background. Her Promedica24 franchise launched in August 2016 and covers south Warwickshire and north Gloucestershire.
What did you do prior to franchising? I’ve worked in a number of consumer goods and online retail businesses, predominantly in sales, marketing, and supply chain.
What inspired you to go into franchising?
I wanted to run my own business and be my own boss. However, I also wanted the support structure that comes with franchising. I liked that the franchise has been tried and tested.
How did you come to invest in a franchise and why Promedica24 in particular?
It boiled down to the data. The numbers for Promedica24 were really compelling, for the future of the business as a whole and also when studying the target market. I also found there was a strong social argument for the business.
How does your previous experience assist you in the running of your franchise?
As a sales and marketing person, understanding and meeting the needs of others has come quite naturally to me. Finding care for a loved one is quite an emotional process, so my communication and listening skills have been very much transferable when identifying the right packages for the requirements, and highlighting the elements of live-in care that would matter most to a specific prospective client.
How is it being a woman in a male- dominated industry? In the care industry, it has actually been an advantage. After talking to other women running Promedica24 franchises alongside either male business partners or their husbands, they have also found that people seem to respond to
What is the training and support like? We had seven days of intensive training split between Poland and the UK, and the support team at the office is on hand to help when we need them. What I will say is that no amount of training can prepare you for working ‘on the ground’. As the process of finding care is an emotional one, there can be some real challenges in having those conversations. I’m sure most regional partners of any franchise would tell you that, once you start, every day is a learning curve.
Describe a typical day There is no such thing as a typical day! You have to be very flexible, especially in the beginning, as you’re always realigning your priorities and learning what works and what doesn’t.
I could be handing out flyers in the
morning, followed by a formal business meeting, and then a client meeting in a person’s home. As a woman coming out of a corporate environment, this was quite a change for me.
What qualities do you feel are important in order to achieve success as a franchisee? You need to have determination, persistence, focus, self-motivation, creativity and patience.
What are your plans for the future? My plan is very simple – I want to build a successful business in my local area, and I want to make a positive difference to people’s lives.
December/January 2017 |
BusinessFranchise.com | 19
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