Special Feature Caremark
What did you do prior to franchising? My career has been firmly in the care sector for nearly 25 years, breaking to study mental health nursing at university. Prior to franchising I worked as a manager in private healthcare, managing the day-to- day delivery of care to vulnerable adults, often with dementia, in a residential setting.
What inspired you to go into franchising, and why with Caremark? My partner, Phil, currently works for Caremark as part of the regional network of managers supporting a number of franchisees in the North and East of England. It was Phil who first suggested we look at franchising. As a regional development manager he has a really good knowledge of the business model, along with the various challenges each of his franchisees has to deal with, so we were able to have some good in-depth discussions before we approached Caremark. Buying the Mansfield territory made sense too, as this is our community and we want to be able to put something back into it. Buying a Caremark franchise would not only allow me to draw on all my years of experience and study but also provide us with a future investment. Our situation is a little different, because although we both own it, I am the day-to- day franchisee and registered manager, with Phil continuing in his ‘day job’ with Caremark. He is there to support me in building the business alongside his commitments to his own franchisees. We both really liked the Caremark model and business opportunity; it was simple, straightforward and the ongoing support franchisees receive is impressive.
How does your previous experience assist you in the day-to-day running of your franchise?
My years of working at operational level and then latterly in management are invaluable, as are my qualifications in mental health. Society is now beginning to realise that we have an increasing number of people across the age scale who struggle with mental health issues and, sadly, insufficient people trained to support them.
How is it being a woman in a male- dominated industry?
I cannot say I have noticed any difference compared with any other industry. There are more and more women turning to franchising each year and they are clearly
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operating very successful businesses. Women are as ambitious, smart and successful as men and some of Caremark’s top-performing franchisees are women! I hope I am respected for the way I run our business, not because I am a woman running it. I remain as hands on as possible. It’s very important to remain grounded and focused at all times or you lose sight of what you actually set out to achieve – whether you are a man or a woman.
How has your life changed since investing in a Caremark franchise? I strive to maintain a good work-life balance and this is now achievable, as the business is established and those hectic early months are behind us. Despite the fact I work extremely hard, I ensure I make time for the things that matter, which are completely separate from the business. Top of my list is snatching a weekend away when we are able to.
What advice would you give to women considering a franchise? Look around at all sorts of franchises before deciding. It’s no good buying into a business only to find that six months down the line you realise you actually have little interest in that particular sector. In addition, I would suggest any
prospective buyer looks carefully at the business model offered, do all your due diligence, speak to other franchisees, and then you can make an informed decision. Also, you need to remember that you have to work extremely hard to establish a business, and while the support is there, the responsibility ultimately lies with the franchisee to succeed.
What is the training and support like? Both are really good and very thorough. I had two weeks of intensive initial training with other franchisees and a new support manager. At the time I thought I had more of an aptitude for the operational side of the business, but with the tools and training I have been given, I can wear many different hats over the course of one day. Our support manager visits monthly for an in-depth meeting and is always on hand should I need advice. I also have access to the support team at head office should I wish to get some support with marketing, training queries or payroll issues.
Describe a typical day... No two days are the same. As the registered manager of the business, I ensure our care operation runs smoothly and that our care teams deliver high- quality care and support to all our clients. This could mean spending time talking to the team should they have concerns or problems, liaising with social workers and health professionals, visiting clients, delivering training, writing care and support plans, or offering advice to the care team, clients and their relatives. Every day is completely different and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Sarah Massey
Sarah Massey jointly owns her Caremark franchise in Nottingham with her partner Phil Mason. Sarah, who is also the registered manager, undertakes the daily operation of the business
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