The growth of care fra nchising
Visiting Angels
As well as being the managing director for Visiting Angels in the UK, Dan Archer is running the Sheff ield fra nchise of the homecare business.
You’ve a considerable background in franchising, what’s prompted your latest venture – bringing US brand Visiting Angels to the UK? I've been in franchising since the late 1990s, worked with some of the largest franchise groups in the UK and served as a board director of the British Franchise Association for six years. I joined the social care sector in 2011, but, most recently, I saw an opportunity in the UK market for a care franchise with a different approach.
What was the appeal of Visiting Angels; what does it do that's different to other care franchises?
Visiting Angels has built a worldwide business with over 600 franchisees and has a great reputation for focusing on its carers’ needs. I saw a gap in the market for a carer- centric franchise. Great care has to start with happy caregivers.
What job satisfaction does running a Visiting Angels business provide? I sleep very well knowing that our focus on recruiting and retaining the very best caregivers is improving the lives of our clients. I am also personally delighted that what we are doing is addressing the injustice of how carers treated in the wider industry.
How was the initial onboarding? What form did you training and support take? My initial training in Philadelphia was awesome, I'd made several trips over to meet the founders. Many of the trainers have been with Visiting Angels for over 10
“If you want to make a diff erence to the lives of carers and clients alike and also make a profit from a truly satisfying business, I cannot recommend this sector highly enough!”
years and have 30-plus years of experience. I have a good understanding of how to run a care business but knowing that I have support from the US is a real comfort. The US franchisees have also been very open to sharing good ideas.
Describe a typical day for you as a Visiting Angels franchisor and franchise owner... No two days are the same, and when you employ nearly 30 caregivers and provide thousands of hours, the most important thing is to remain focused on the simple things. We have been innovative in running events for our care team and that means one day we could be meeting a new client, interviewing a caregiver or promoting the service. The next day could see me dressed as Santa for our Christmas party or burning sausages at our summer barbecue!
How is business so far, and what does the future hold? My care business has grown from one client in January 2018 to almost 40 today. We’re on track for a million-pound turnover by end of year three, so all we need do is
carry on replicating our current success. The UK franchise network is growing well too. We have our fi rst franchisees booked into training, and in 2019 we are seeking to recruit 10 new franchisees. For myself, it has been the best, most
rewarding and hardest thing I have ever done. Helping others to care is a great way of understanding more about yourself. I feel so personally and professionally rewarded by what we have achieved and excited for what is to come.
Would you recommend franchising to others? Any advice? If you want to make a difference to the lives of carers and clients alike and also make a profi t from a truly satisfying business I cannot recommend this sector highly enough! The Visiting Angels model is a different approach to care franchising because the business is built around carers. My advice would be: understand the market because franchise opportunities in care are not all the same, so pick the one that suits you best.
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