Running a financially rewarding homecare franchise requires supporting franchisees as whole people, not just as business owners.

As a homecare franchisor and former franchisee who built my homecare franchise from zero to a £1m turnover in four years, I know first-hand that getting it right requires a complex formula of values, skills, knowledge and genuine care for others.

People must be valued and nurtured by franchisors to ensure that they maintain their commitment to the highest standards of quality. Only that way will they deliver high quality support to their clients and carers - and boost their chances of building £1m turnover businesses. To do that, they need franchisor support that focusses on far more than just the bottom line.

That's why I believe in the Walfinch Franchise Family Support Initiative.

What's that? It's the kind of support that you would aim to give a member of your own family if they were starting a business. Our family of 30 (and growing) franchisees deserve support that goes much further than basic business development help.

Focussing on business and finance will not be enough to make a successful and sustainable homecare business.

What's needed is ongoing support that takes account of the needs of franchisees as people with lives outside and around the business, because they are both intertwined.

Supporting the whole person

We aim to support the franchisee as a whole person, not just as a business owner - that's why the Walfinch Franchise Family Support Initiative encompasses physical, mental and emotional health, and takes account of franchisees' family and social needs, as well as helping them build a thriving business.

Care franchisees face special challenges

Homecare is a massively rewarding business where you can transform people's lives while making a good living.

However, running any business can be tough at times, especially in the early days, and I am sure that most new care business owners are occasionally kept awake at night by the weight of responsibility they face.

Meanwhile, the regulations are demanding, and you may only get one day's notice of an inspection. A ‘Needs improvement' rating can destroy your reputation, and your business, overnight.

That's why many of the UK's most successful care providers are franchises, where local offices get franchisor support to develop the best services and business revenue possible.

Yet to truly help a homecare franchisee create a successful business means providing on-going, all-round support for them as a whole person.

I know this because I've seen it happen. Franchisee-centred support is helping all of our franchisees - and has been integral to their success.

Support

"Unlike many homecare franchisees, I own and run my business alone," Bunmi Ganiyu, the Walfinch franchisee in Edinburgh, says.

Bunmi launched her business in August 2021, and is aiming to increase her turnover to £600,000 this year.

"I don't think I'd have got this far so soon without Walfinch's National Support Office team," she says. "It's particularly helpful if you are in business on your own, because there is always someone to discuss operations and knowing you can ask for help at any time is very good for your morale."

She cites help from Compliance and Quality Manager Amanda Keeler. Bunmi says: "She built a support platform that helps you comply with all the necessary standards and if you need help you can call her, and she'll call back even if she's busy.

"I also get support with practical things like social media and marketing from Walfinch Franchise Consultant Richard Stanfield.

"I'm running this business by myself, but I never feel as though I am on my own. I can get help from the National Support team with anything that's bothering me," says Bunmi.

Creating time for family life

I'm a dad of two young children, and I try hard to maintain family time every day, so I am adamant that our Walfinch franchisees should be able to run a business around their own families too.

Walfinch Mansfield franchisee Tiffany Meachim recently had a second son, while running a growing franchise that is likely to top over a million in turnover this year.

"Walfinch's National Support Office team meant I got the time to enjoy my new baby," says Tiff. "Amanda and the operations teams worked together with my care manager, so I did not get any calls from the office for the first few weeks.

"That back-up was invaluable. If I was running the business on my own that time with my son it would not have been possible, because the business would have been on my mind 24/7."

When she was eight months pregnant, she got just two days' notice of a CQC inspection. "It was my first inspection, so I was very anxious," says Tiff. "Compliance and Quality Manager Amanda rushed down to me the next day, checked everything and reassured me that we were doing the right things. In moments of crisis the support is there for you."

Tiff also gets regular visits from Walfinch Franchise Consultant Richard Stanfield and Senior Franchise Support Manager Julie Farrow, who talk about business development and give all kinds of other advice.

Supporting confident business building

Strong franchisee support builds confidence, especially for those taking a step into a new career. Ian Thompson, who formerly worked in finance,  launched a Walfinch homecare franchise in December 2021. He's now supplying over 800 hours of care a month and on track for turnover of over £1m this year.

"Going into this sector with no care background would be hard without support," he says. "I couldn't have come so far so fast without help from the support team, and I've learnt a lot from the whole team, especially Richard Stanfield, who has many years of care sector experience."

The Walfinch Franchise Family Support Initiative is creating strong, resilient business owners who can feel confident that they will get the support they need in starting and growing their business - while growing as people too.

For Walfinch Franchise opportunities please visit Walfinch