Posted:27-February-2023
More women than ever are starting their own franchises
More women than ever are starting their own franchise businesses, says not-for-profit industry body Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF).
The franchise industry, once viewed as male-dominated, is seeing an increasing number of women investing in businesses, and succeeding, to become dominant players in their subsequent franchise industries.
EWiF says over the past three years, 37% of all new franchisees joining the industry have been female. The bfa NatWest Franchising Landscape survey, in 2018, showed “a 20% rise in females choosing to start their business in franchising” in the two years since the previous survey.
In 2019, The Alison Rose Review of Female Entrepreneurship (Rose Review) reported the biggest barriers for women in business were: education, risk-avoidance, funding, family commitments, and a lack of confidence. It also found the lack of female role models in the “boardroom” hindered many from venturing into entrepreneurship because they couldn’t see themselves represented there.
Helen Mansfield, Managing Director for Encouraging Women into Franchising says: “Franchising tackles each of these obstacles naturally, providing women with training for all aspects of running and growing their business, with guidance for success in a business model which works alongside the mentoring support from the network, and an innate understanding of how to create the right work-life balance for herself and her family. This is why we’re seeing more women discovering their purpose as they take on the mantle of business ownership. It’s also why we’re also seeing women inspiring others to know they can do the same.”
The Travel Franchise, one of the UK’s fastest growing travel franchises, has seen an increase in women joining its team. Around 65% of its franchisees are women. Of its top performers, over 82.5% are women.
Jenny Farenden, Head of Marketing, The Travel Franchise, which offers ready-made travel franchises from as little as £2,995+ VAT, says: “The travel franchise industry is incredibly attractive to women. It means they can work from home, train and build their independent businesses around their families and enjoy significantly discounted or free holidays. As a result, the majority of our members are women and some are so successful that they are now the primary earners in the household.”
Mum of three boys under eight, Reshma Aggarwal joined during the pandemic and succeeded in selling £1.2 million worth of holidays in under 18 months. She was so successful that she achieved The Travel Franchise’s unique Money-Back Challenge and got the entire franchise fee rewarded back to her - meaning she effectively started her business for free.
Says Reshma: “It’s changed my life. I juggle work around my three young boys but I’m also doing something really amazing: making friends and money.”
Five years ago, Palvi Harvey, 49 from Birmingham realised she couldn’t develop her career in marketing working only part-time while she had two children to look after. With school runs and school holidays to contend with, working in Birmingham city centre proved impossible. As a result, Palvi felt stuck in a rut as she tried to juggle childcare alongside a job offering limited income. She joined The Travel Franchise and has since made £2.5million in sales in her first five years of business.
Recent new female recruits are having similar success. One nurse, who joined in November has sold £105K of holidays in just 55 days.
Encouraging Women Into Franchising says: “At EWiF, we’re not surprised to hear women are turning to business opportunities like The Travel Franchise; the concept of franchising is ideal for women wanting to run her own business.
Helen Mansfield, Managing Director for Encouraging Women into Franchising says: “Franchising gives women the best route into business ownership, and to take control of their future. Many invest time in doing something they’re passionate about, rising head-and-shoulders above their contemporaries to build a business they’re proud of. It’s been said that when you do something you love, you never work another day in your life. Whilst there is a huge amount of hard work involved in setting-up and growing a franchise, the fact women are doing it for themselves, rather than for someone else, makes a massive difference in how we approach Monday mornings.”
Interested and want to know more about The Travel Franchise?
The The Travel Franchise profile outlines all aspects of their franchise opportunity and allows you to contact them for further information or to ask a question.
