Become your own boss

 

 

Become your own boss

Daily Mail 24.12.2007

By: Linda Whitney

CHRISTMAS holidays give you time to take stock of your life. If you don't like what you see — and a third of people say they are not happy in their jobs — the answer could be to work for yourself.

A franchise could help you do that. But are you cut out to change from employee to entrepreneur? Iain Martin, of Kyros, a recruitment consultancy which specialises in matching up potential franchisees and franchisors, says: 'After years of getting your regular monthly pay cheque, it can be hard to understand exactly what working for yourself will involve.' Buying a franchise means you are getting a tried and tested business system, but you are not just buying a job.

'You have to operate that system,' says Mr Martin. 'You must "own" the marketing, the service, and the finances. If you buy a car, sit in it and expect to get taken somewhere, nothing will happen.

It's like that with a franchise. You have to drive it yourself.' Kyros offers potential franchisees advice about whether to move into franchising, including self-diagnostic tests that can help you decide if you are the kind of person who would suit self-employment. Other issues to consider include the lifestyle you want.

If you are not a morning person, rule out any franchises that mean getting up very early, such as some parcels franchises.

If you want to see more of your family, avoid the kind of franchise that means being on call 24 hours a day, such as some drain-cleaning franchises. If you have any franchises in mind, make part of your research spending a typical day or days with at least one franchisee.

Take your time deciding. Don't let desperation tempt you into taking something unsuitable.

Paul Clark, 44, who has a 30-year career in social work behind him, recently started an Ovenu oven valeting franchise in Warrington.

He says: 'Although I wanted to leave social work, it did provide me with an excellent employment package including sick pay and generous holidays.

'If I was to become a franchisee then every detail had to be perfect.' He got help from the British Franchise Association and spent months researching franchising and the oven valeting sector.

'I needed to know if any of these companies were right for me and my circumstances,' says Paul..

Ovenu's Rik Hellewell says: 'Good franchisors are as concerned as potential franchisees to make sure they are a round peg in a round hole.

'Our franchisee agreement lasts five years, but we do not want you to be unhappy for five minutes.' He is looking for more practicallyminded types who understand that they are not buying a job but investing in their future. Investment is £9,750.

Ovenu 01325 251 455; Kyros 0870 104 4233; Pitman Computer Support 01937 548 562; www.thebfa.org

PEOPLE TRUST A KNOWN BRAND

GRANT BURFORD, 35, spent time last Christmas considering his future. After spending ten years working on an IT help desk at car manufacturer BMW, he wanted a change. 'I felt like a tiny cog in a huge wheel at work. I wanted more control of my own destiny,' says Grant, 35, from Hook, Hampshire.

He was already considering working for himself when he found out about the Pitman Computer Support franchise at a careers exhibition.

'It meant using my IT skills to offer a service to individuals and small businesses, and I would be selfemployed,' says Grant (pictured).

He spent a few months investigating it and after thinking it over last Christmas, he decided to go ahead. Now in business since March, he says: 'I offer a friendly, local service, work from home and get help with marketing from Pitman. It helps to have a known brand because it makes people more likely to buy, and I am already getting business by word of mouth.' He adds: 'I gave up a well-paid job with a pension to go it alone, but I have a viable business and am in charge of my life. I don't regret it for a second.' Pitman Computer Support is a relatively new franchise from established franchisor Pitman Training, and is looking for more franchisees with an interest in computers.

You don't need existing computer support experience, as Pitman provides training. However, you will need marketing and sales skills to promote your business.

Initial investment is £23,335..