Posted:31-January-2024
Raring2go! - the perfect franchise for those looking for a work / life balance
- Name: Lucy Richardson
- Location: Kidderminster & Stourbridge, West Midlands
- Franchise: Raring2go!
- Date launched the franchise: Took over an existing franchise in July 2022
Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying your Rarinng2go! franchise business?
I was a stay-at-home mom, and my daughter had started school.
Before having my Daughter, I worked in events in the hospitality industry; I did not want to go back to working long / unsociable hours, or back in the City Centre either, where I would have had an hour's commute each day. I wanted something I could do in school hours and was looking around for a good year, when I spotted Raring2go! was up for sale.
Can you also tell us about the franchise you have bought?
Raring2go! is a family go-to guide magazine and website, which I knew of for a while before purchasing, as I used to look at the magazines myself of things to do with my little girl.
Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose the publishing industry? And why did a Raring2go! franchise?
It’s not something that I thought of before the opportunity presented itself to me. I found it very scary buying a franchise, I’d not known any other family members or friends doing it, so it was all very new. But as mentioned, I knew of the magazine and therefore knew it’s worth! I love researching new things to do and new places to visit, so it was right up my street.
How did you raise the finance?
I used some savings and also had a loan for part of it.
What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?
I had training both from Sally, the previous Franchise owner, and Raring2go! Head Office. The support from Head Office is ongoing; they are always there for me and always friendly and happy to help.
How would you describe your day-to-day role as a Raring2go! franchisee?
It varies with the lifecycle of the magazine, so there are weeks focused on sales, weeks focused on designing and weeks delivering. I think that’s part of why I like it, it’s not always the ‘same old thing’ on repeat every day.
Provide information on challenges overcome as well as your key successes to date.
As the franchise was already up and running, I can’t say I had any huge challenges, luckily. I was warned that a new Editor coming in may lose some long-standing customers who may have been loyal to the past Editor rather than the magazine, but fortunately, this has not been the case.
The key success is simply keeping it up to the standard it was at and gradually improving at all times.
Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?
Yes, it’s hard to explain how exactly, as I’d been out of mainstream work for over 5 years with my Daughter. But I just love that I can still be a mom the whole time Lily is out of school and earning some money too is great. Plus, I’m very proud being the owner of my own business.
How do you achieve a work-life balance?
I can take my daughter to school, pick her up and have flexibility to work around other school visits, appointments, and on occasion enjoy a special day or the food shop / gym without worrying too much about timings. I know the weeks where I have to put the hours in, and the weeks where I can be more flexible.
Can you tell us about any community involvement, including any local partnerships, incentives or charity work you are involved in?
I help promote Mary Stevens Hospice, KEMP hospice, Grace Kelley Childhood Charitable Trust events free of charge, we have a good relationship.
I also promote as much as I can in regards to free city/town events, libraries etc. I’m building relationships with all of the above all the time.
What is the most invaluable piece of advice you could give someone looking to buy their first franchise?
Do your research and go for it! (Providing you have the money to start it all up and won’t get yourself into debt).
In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?
Be passionate about what you are doing.
What are your plans for the future?
Simply to continue as I am for the foreseeable future. Possibly buy a second area.
If you had to do it all again, what would you do differently?
Not sure I would do anything differently… Which speaks for itself!
Interested and want to know more about Raring2go!?
The Raring2go! basic profile outlines aspects of their franchise opportunity
