New year, new start


Driver Hire Diane Maxwell


Becoming a business owner is a new experience for many considering the franchise route. Being part of a franchised network helps make the transition from being employed to being in charge so much easier than working it all out on your own. For one, you’re investing in a proven business model and franchise support network, providing you with the necessary training to set you on your way and the support required throughout your franchising journey. Here, Diane Maxwell, who grabbed the opportunity to run her own franchise business with the award-winning transport and logistics recruiter Driver Hire, explains why she made the leap…


A golden opportunity Diane Maxwell started her journey with Driver Hire Belfast in 2008, becoming the ofce manager by . er success and drive in this role meant that in , the franchisor’s senior management team offered me the opportunity to buy the franchise and run the business for myself. I loved what I was doing, saw the potential and I backed myself to make a success of it. She is now the franchisee of Driver Hire in Belfast, leading a team and achieving her goals.


Making your own goals iane feels the roles of ofce manager and franchisee are similar. f course,


Diane is very aware that, as a franchisee, she has more on the line and so much more to gain. hat was massively different was setting my own goals and targets. nd, of course, the realisation that I was running the business for myself, so I proted directly from its success. Diane understands that owning and running a business requires your full attention and energy. ut franchising ensures you’re not alone. hen I need help, being part of a franchise network gives me emotional and professional support, and there is always backup from the franchisor.


A family business s the business grew, iane took the opportunity to employ her daughter, anielle, and in , iane’s brother anny bought into the business to make river ire elfast a family affair. river Hire Belfast is now one of the best- performing franchised ofces in river ire’s nationwide network. Together, they have helped the business complete six consecutive record years, with turnover passing the million mark for the rst time in .


Franchising for women ike iane, an increasing number of women are recognising the wealth of opportunities provided by franchising. ver the years I’ve been with river Hire, the number of female franchisees


has grown to the extent that a quarter of the network is now owned by female franchisees, either trading on their own or in a partnership. For women in business, the British


Franchise ssociation holds an annual mpowering omen in usiness event, allowing businesswomen to conde in and advise one another.


Could you be a Driver Hire franchisee? river ire franchisees reflect a wide spectrum of working backgrounds. hile some have worked in either recruitment or the transport sector, others have run their own business, or worked as accountants, in education, IT, retail and even banking. It’s important that you’re highly self-motivated and ambitious with a very positive outlook and a can-do attitude.


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