Show Guide
Case A
Study
Lifetime ambition achieved through
franchising From a young age, Raji Kaur Garawal had her sights set on being her own boss. Having been brought up in the family business in Leeds, the idea of being an entrepreneur had always appealed.
fter equipping herself with a university degree in accountancy, Raji set up her own business at the age of 21. It did not take very long, however, for Raji to realise she just did not have enough knowledge or experience to run a business on her own, and she closed her fledgling company. With a view to gaining the right experience and skills to run her own business in the future, Raji headed to the world of employment in the corporate sector. After 20 years in a global vehicle rental business, Raji comments: “Being part of an ever-more successful company took me on a fantastic journey, and I’m proud of my achievements within that firm, but the dream of having my own business never left me.” Raji began to examine what sort of business would allow her to meet her ambitions. She says: “Franchising immediately appealed over going it alone. I liked the idea of being part of an established name and leveraging the proven business model and support offered by the franchisor. It was clear that franchising would accelerate my path to being my own boss, and that it would mitigate many of the risks I’d previously faced.”
In June 2017, Raji attended The Franchise Exhibition in Manchester to get face-to-face advice and to meet directly with franchise brands. “I was keeping all my options open and I looked at businesses in several sectors as I walked around. Honestly, I’d never come across business coaching, but it was one of the useful free seminars I attended that drew my attention to it.
“I headed to the ActionCOACH stand to follow up. This was immensely useful, as I could get a real feel for the company ethos and the people behind it. I could see a clear affinity between our aims and working styles.”
Raji continued exploring the exhibition and approached other business-to-business brands. She says: “I left the event with two carrier bags full of information and went through it all at home, carrying on my research.” ActionCOACH had made a strong impression and Raji booked herself into a discovery day with the company. She met more of the team, and was further struck by the positive energy of the organisation.
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BusinessFranchise.com | June 2018
In August, Raji paid her deposit to secure her franchise and continued her due diligence, speaking with already operational ActionCOACH franchisees and running through the numbers. Left in no doubt this was the path she wanted to pursue, Raji handed in her notice to her employer of 20 years.
“It was clear franchising would accelerate my path to being my own boss, and that it would mitigate many of the risks I’d previously faced”
“That was a milestone moment for me,” says Raji. “I’d spent half my life with that company, so it was emotional leaving, but I knew it was time to run my own business.” She’s now been fully operational for a few months and comments: “One of the biggest differences is that I am in total control of my work diary – it’s amazing! I’m completely autonomous over my own time. The flexibility that being my own boss offers me is invaluable. Life is good!”
To follow in the footsteps of franchisees like Raji who have become their own boss, visit The Northern Franchise Exhibition this summer.
Taking place on 22 & 23 June, at EventCity, Manchester, you’ll have the chance to meet a wide range of established franchise brands, including ActionCOACH, and take advantage of free advice from industry experts.
Book your FREE tickets today at
FranchiseTickets.co.uk using promo code PRE1 to save £10.
TICKET LINE 020 8394 5294 WEBSITE
FranchiseInfo.co.uk
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