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Franchise appeal as more seek Self-Employment

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A newly published report has labelled Britain the self-employment capital of Western Europe.

The report by the think tank the Institute of Public Policy Research (IPPR) highlighted how the number of self-employed people rose by 1.5 million during the past 13 years, reaching the current all-time high of 4.5 million – the equivalent of 15 per cent of the British labour force.

While the IPPR has rightly flagged up the fact that the self-employment boom “comes in many shapes and sizes”, there is no question that one important driver has been a genuine desire among people of all ages to take greater control of their destiny.

The team at SureCare has been aware of this trend for a number of months with an ever increasing number of enquiries from people interested in becoming their own bosses via the franchise route.

Our enquiries have ranged from those who have been made redundant from their jobs and have the capital investment required to be able to take the first steps towards becoming a franchisee to those who have grown weary of working as an employee in the care sector and like the idea of striking out on their own.

We have also had a number of exciting enquiries from younger people, in their 20s and early 30s, who feel that their future lies more as an entrepreneur rather than a wage slave. They may not have a care industry background but they have done their homework and realise that the care sector is currently one of the hottest sectors in the market.

We have reshaped our franchise offer during recent months in direct response to the changing employment market. We are particularly keen to attract great talent as franchisees and to ensure that the financial commitment required works on different levels.

While SureCare continues to offer those who can invest £28,000 plus working capital the chance to own a traditional, large territory, our company also now offers smaller micro franchises (typically covering a territory of no more than 100,000 population). The cost of a SureCare micro franchise is from just £7,000.

Our managing director Gary Farrer spotted the need to diversify our franchise offer because of his own background as a successful entrepreneur in the care sector. Before taking up the reins at SureCare, Gary and his wife Stephanie had built the Lancashire-based Safehands Group into a £5.5million turnover business, before selling at the end of 2011.

The entry level cost of becoming your own boss with a micro franchise is now affordable to many more people, while for those able to invest in a full franchise, we are providing them with the chance to recoup their investment by having up to four micro franchises in their territory.

SureCare micro franchises offer a range of unregulated services including home services such as DIY, gardening and cleaning, as well as babysitting, holiday clubs and a mobile crèche service for weddings and other events. Full franchises and, in due course, micro franchises are able to offer a comprehensive range of care services regulated by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

SureCare, which was founded in 1994, currently has 27 franchises and three branches in England.

The company was traditionally a provider of personal care and support (otherwise known as domiciliary care), but over the last 18 months has expanded into home services, childcare and holiday and respite care.

As many of those who have taken the plunge and become their own bosses will know, the first steps can be daunting. The beauty of buying a franchise is that you get to become your own boss while also being able to take advantage of a fantastic head office team which is able to provide you with all the help and advice you need across management, sales, HR, accreditations, marketing and many other aspects of day to day business life.

Why not start your SureCare franchise journey today…