Posted:13-January-2021
Exclusive Interview: "I wanted to get out of the office environment, and the 9-5 monotonous grind."
Name: Anne Kessell
Location: Telford
Franchise: Shrewsbury
Date launched the franchise: November 2012
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a franchise business?
I worked in an administration role before joining Barking Mad. It was office based, and pleasant enough work, but pretty much the same every day, and it was not very rewarding or fulfilling. I wanted more – I wanted to make a difference, and I have always loved dogs, but could never find a job that met my needs.
Can you also tell us about the franchise you have bought?
I bought a Barking Mad franchise, which organises holiday care for dogs. I get to meet a lot of people and their dogs, as visit each owner’s home in order to write a profile about the routine and needs of their dog. Then there are the hosts; people who would love to have their own dog, but can’t, so instead they have doggy house guests whose owners are on holiday. It works brilliantly, making people and dogs happy, and I love being part of it.
"Mine is a very large territory, taking in most of Shropshire and parts of Wales too. It has some large towns in it, and a huge amount of rural area too, which make it a beautiful place to drive through – I spend a lot of my time driving, picking up and delivering dogs, and meeting new customers and hosts. It’s a lovely part of the country and the people here are very friendly and care about their dogs a great deal."
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose your industry? And why did you choose your franchise?
I wanted to get out of the office environment, and the 9-5 monotonous grind. Being my own boss appealed to me, but I liked the fact that with a franchise there would always be support, so it would be the best of all worlds.
I chose Barking Mad because dogs had always been a big part of my life, and I know how difficult it can be to have them properly looked after when you’re on holiday. Having spoken to existing franchisees it was clear that the on-going support was second to none.
How did you raise the finance?
I used savings and a small loan.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
All franchisees train at head office, and have every aspect of the business fully explained to them. There is a lot of ongoing support – like having a phone number manned, and messages passed to me, which is useful because this way I don’t miss out on business while I’m with other customers or hosts. We have regular meetings online, and also at head office.
"Good practice and new ideas that have worked well for other franchisees are passed to us all which makes life easier. I feel like I’m part of a community, not on my own."
How would you describe your role as a franchisee?
I’m my own boss, but I have a lot of help too – it really is the best of both worlds. I get to do a job I enjoy, but which I would probably have been too nervous of doing completely on my own. I’m part of a national company with an excellent reputation, and national TV adverts, but I’m also very much part of my local community.
What challenges have you faced?
One challenge that I didn’t anticipate was getting so much work that I couldn’t cope with it on my own. I took on a colleague to help me, mainly picking up and delivering dogs, but the business kept growing. Now I have a team of three people who work alongside me, and we’re still all flat out at times!
The other challenge has been the nature of the business I chose – dog holiday care. One poor lady had given up hope of ever going on holiday without her dog, who was very reactive and energetic. Connecting her with a host who can have her dog to stay, and keep the dog happy, healthy and occupied has been incredibly rewarding.
Other owners have had exuberant dogs, multiple dogs, huge dogs, tiny dogs, or unwell dogs, and managing to find them all a host to need their needs has been challenging but rewarding.
I’m on the end of the phone for the hosts 24-7, which is demanding but necessary to ensure everyone – the two legged, and the four – is happy.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
I’m much happier since I bought the franchise. I’m very busy, but that’s because business is booming, which is fantastic, considering what a tough marketplace it is at the moment.
"I chose something that matches my interests, and so I have a lovely life."
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
Choose your franchise carefully! Choose something you’re genuinely interested in and enthusiastic about, so you won’t mind if you have to put in long hours. Learn as much as you can ahead of time before you commit, and talk to existing franchisees for their personal experience of the franchisor.
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
To be a successful franchisee you have to be committed, enthusiastic, and organised. Make the most of all the support your franchise offers you, and be prepared to work hard to give back to them for that support, and the chance to be your own boss and make your dream come true.
What are your plans for the future?
Bigger and better! I want to help more people and dogs be happy. At the moment I’m having new enquiries every week, so that shouldn’t be a problem. I want to keep building my business, and keep working with my colleagues nationally to keep building the company as a whole. I just want to keep doing what I’m doing.
Would you do it again?
In a heartbeat! This is the best job I’ve ever had – well, it’s not a job, because it doesn’t feel like work, even though I’m busy a lot of the time. If anything, I wish I’d done it earlier, but you live and learn.
