are chises


Friends Helping at Home


ea oee ries eig at oe Exeter i  a year ater acirig eighborig orbay


Why franchising, and why Friends Helping at Home? A close friend of mine works at Head Office, so I'd already heard a lot about the business, and had insights into the support available and the company's values before exploring the opportunity myself. The brand also stood out because of its values – it felt genuinely people-focused and I could see the potential to build something meaningful within my local community. I also liked that the franchise model gave us the support of an established brand while still allowing us to grow our own business. I'd seen the positive reputation Friends Helping at Home had built and It felt like the right opportunity at the right time.


Why were you drawn to this industry? I've always enjoyed helping people, and this is an industry where you genuinely make a difference. Helping people to remain independent at home is incredibly rewarding.


What job satisfaction does it provide? I love the variety that comes with the role. Every day is different, so you never get bored, and there's always something happening. The biggest reward is knowing that the work we're doing is helping people live happier, more independent lives. Whether it's introducing the right service provider to a client or supporting someone's family through a difficult time, it's incredibly satisfying knowing you've made a positive impact.


How has training and support been and how is business so far? Initial training was excellent and gave me a really solid foundation. However, like any business, I think you learn the most once you're up and running. Every situation teaches you something new, and you naturally develop your own way of working, but support doesn't stop after launch: Head Office is always available, and franchisees support one another too. I now enjoy mentoring newer franchisees because I know how valuable that practical, 'learn-as-you-go' support can be.


Business has been really positive so far. Launching our


Exeter branch and then expanding into Torbay a year later has been a fantastic achievement, and it's been rewarding to see the business continue to grow. We're building great relationships with clients and self-employed service providers across both branches, and we're excited about what the future holds as we continue to raise awareness of Friends Helping at Home in our local communities.


What are your plans for the future of the business? To grow both branches while increasing awareness of Friends Helping at Home across our local communities. We'd love to eventually have a branch manager in place so I can take a slightly more strategic, hands-off role while still being actively involved in the business. Building strong local relationships and continuing to grow our reputation will remain a big priority.


Has launching a franchise brought life changes? Working from home has improved my work-life balance and flexibility around family life. Being able to work around the children, and even our puppy, has made a huge difference. Running your own business is still hard work, but having that flexibility means I can balance both my professional and personal life much more effectively.


Would you recommend franchising to others? Absolutely. If you're prepared to work hard and get involved in your local community, franchising can be incredibly rewarding. My biggest piece of advice would be to focus on getting your first client. That's a huge milestone because once you start building momentum, the business begins to grow naturally through reputation and referrals. Don't underestimate the importance of getting out and about, networking and raising brand awareness locally – it really does make all the difference.


friendshelpingathome.co.uk BUSINESSFRANCHISE.COM 17


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88  |  Page 89  |  Page 90  |  Page 91  |  Page 92  |  Page 93  |  Page 94  |  Page 95  |  Page 96  |  Page 97  |  Page 98  |  Page 99  |  Page 100  |  Page 101  |  Page 102  |  Page 103  |  Page 104  |  Page 105  |  Page 106  |  Page 107  |  Page 108