Special Feature Caremark
In what ways is your business flexible? Flexibility for me is around my working schedule and how my day is structured. It takes time to build flexibility into a business and it is only now, in my fourth year of actual trading and with a strong infrastructure in place, that I can consider doing this.
Colin Evans
Before buying his home care franchise, Colin had a long and successful career in sales. His years with the Equitable Life Assurance Society gave him valuable sales management experience and his business experience came latterly when he developed a successful financial services business from scratch. He opened his Caremark franchise in May 2013, in Letchworth, Hertfordshire, and has not looked back since.
What drew you to franchising? Several reasons, really. I had reached a point in my life where I simply did not want to work for anyone else. It was important for me to be the master of my own destiny, and use my skills and experience to determine my own future.
Franchising gave me a fast track into a
different form of business, one without the same level of risks and delays that going it alone might bring.
In addition, my age was against me for starting up something from scratch. I have plenty of years’ experience behind me, which is great, but not so many in front of me to sweat through the hold-ups and false starts that a new, uncharted venture might bring. This is especially true of the care sector where one needs experienced back-up right from the start.
Why did you choose Caremark? Having looked at a number of other franchise opportunities I felt that Caremark’s franchise was the best. Caremark’s approach was supportive and professional, and they seemed genuinely interested in my career history, the skills and experience I had to offer, and whether I was the business professional they were looking for.
What has been your greatest achievement since taking on a franchise?
I would say building a really good management team who lead and inspire
This does not come immediately. The business has to grow and have some momentum. My team, led by my care manager, is made up of hard-working, loyal people who are invested in the delivery of a high quality care service and ultimately in the success of the business. Being able to leave the daily care operation to my care manager has freed me up to focus on working on the business and concentrate on growth.
How has investing in a franchise changed your lifestyle?
It has given me an opportunity to have a regular income stream and also greater financial flexibility and freedom, inasmuch as I now own a profitable business that will provide me with a future pension. It is also an asset that I can pass on to my children in the future.
What future plans do you have for the business? There are new areas of business that we are keen to develop: children’s services, care and support for those with learning disabilities, and live-in services. At the moment, we are looking at increasing our training modules to equip our care workers with the necessary skillset to support these specialisms.
their care teams to be the best they can be. This can take a while and it is important to get the management structure right to begin with. Once that is in place, it is easier for the business to be more effective overall. We had a local authority audit in January 2016 and achieved a superb 99.6 per cent compliance score, which was extraordinary! This was down to having staff who are clear on the aims and focus of the business and are all pulling in the same direction. It was a real team effort to achieve that compliance score and that was really satisfying.
What advice would you give potential franchisees? Before you sign away your future, ask yourself if you honestly have the right skills for the sector you are interested in – just having the money isn’t enough. If it’s a management franchise, then it’s important that you have that experience and that you are comfortable building and leading a team.
Has your work-life balance improved since you invested in a Caremark franchise?
Now that the business is established I am able to work on the business rather than in it. This has given me a better work-life balance, which is great, as I don’t have to be in the office from dawn until dusk every day. If I wish to take the odd long weekend I can do so, knowing I have a great team in place.
At the end of the day, I am content in knowing that I am investing in my family’s future while providing a superb care service for our clients and job opportunities for my local community. Just knowing that I am achieving all three objectives, as well as enjoying a little more leisure time, is certainly something to be happy about!
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BusinessFranchise.com | September 2016
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