It can be challenging being a working parent, as you need to balance earning a living with childcare and trying to ensure you don’t miss your children’s important milestones. Taking advantage of the many home-based franchises for sale can be a way of solving this dilemma.
Finding flexibility in everyday life is one of the most important things a working parent can achieve. According to the latest research, since 2009, the number of people working from home has risen by 159%. This trend looks set to continue. In the past five years alone, the number has gone up by 44%.
Benefits of franchising
There are many benefits to franchising from home, such as more flexibility, no commute and a better work-life balance. However, the main attraction for parents is being able to spend time with their children. Home-based franchises make it possible to blend home life and work life to achieve a happy medium.
According to surveys, 77% of workers believe their productivity increases when they work from home. Without distractions such as unnecessary meetings and phone calls, people working from home experienced greater job satisfaction and felt happier in general.
They also felt safer because there was less risk of them catching a virus, as they were not close to colleagues and avoided daily public transport.
Should I franchise my business?
If you are one of those parents who want to work from home and achieve a healthier work-life balance, starting your own franchising business could be the solution. It’s a flexible option that enables you to achieve your personal career goals.
Many franchise opportunities will suit work-from-home parents, whether you want to work full-time or part-time. A franchise system is based on a tried and trusted business model, giving franchisees security. It offers expert training, a trusted brand name and ongoing support and advice.
You can benefit from networking with other franchisees in your sector, building a community of people that support you and the brand as a whole. You can be your own boss as you enter into the career world again.
What do I need for a home-based franchise?
The technology at your fingertips is a vital part of your success as a franchisee. A laptop with a fast, strong internet connection is key. Without this, you’ll be at a serious disadvantage. You will also need to install any software appropriate to the franchise you have chosen.
Having the right platform to run, market and maintain your franchise is crucial. You must be able to manage your time efficiently. You’re responsible for every aspect of the operation, so being well organized is essential.
It can also help to lay down some ground rules for your family, as they are a part of this venture. They need to know when you’re working and understand that even though you’re at home, you can’t simply stop working at any given moment. Everyone needs to understand their boundaries and be made aware of their hours of business.
There are many options for franchise opportunities for parents, depending on your main skills and where you can best utilize your knowledge and background to advance your business. Read on for some ideas on suitable franchise opportunities.
Computer franchises
The computer and internet sector is thriving in today’s digital world. Running a computer franchise will mean you have your finger on the pulse in a rapidly growing industry.
If you’re a technology enthusiast and want to turn your passion and skill into a business, this could be the ideal choice. Depending on your skills, you could set yourself up as a computer repair franchisee, or an online help desk for businesses and individuals requiring technical support.
Alternatively, you could create a range of apps from home and sell them online. More than 80% of businesses use networking solutions and software in their day-to-day trading, while more than 70% of SMEs have their own website, so if you’re skilled at web design, this could be something to look into.
Cleaning franchises
Managing a cleaning franchise is something you can do from home, on a full time or part-time basis. Replicate a proven business model and take advantage of full training and support to get your franchise off the ground.
First, you must decide whether to work with commercial or domestic customers or both. You can either run a general cleaning company or specialize in a certain area, such as carpet or window cleaning.
The cleaning industry is very resilient. Following the global recession of 2008, the industry picked up pace very quickly and was back on track by 2009. The figures have grown year on year since this time. Sadly, the COVID-19 pandemic has been a setback for the economy, but cleaning remains one of the safest franchises for sale to enter now.
Mortgage franchises
Running a mortgage franchise from home is also something you could consider. You could be part of the biggest financial decision most people will make in their lives. Becoming an online mortgage broker will help those people who are about to take the plunge and you could help clients get support for core financial products.
For busy customers who don’t have time to visit a mortgage broker in person, an online service is an answer to their prayers. Others prefer an online service because they are not comfortable discussing their finances in person.
No matter which type of franchise you choose, statistics reveal that home workers save, on average, around £5,000 per year in transport costs, childcare and food. In addition, you get to spend more time with your kids, so what’s not to like?
Photo by Christiann Koepke on Unsplash
