Find an Operator

Schedule a CallDownload Prospectus Request Info

Achieving a Work-life Balance

by | Mar 25, 2021

Achieving a Work-life Balance

For so many of us, the importance of a good Work-Life Balance is paramount. Let us explain how owning a franchise, WILL help you achieve positive wellbeing at work and in your home life.

As a franchisor operating for many years, at Countrywide Signs, we’ve seen a number of franchisees enjoy the simple reward of achieving the perfect balance when it comes to work and their home lives. This has become especially apparent during the pandemic.

With so many of us experiencing new ways of working, missing our extended family and friends, as well as the knock-on effect for those who have caught the virus, we have all learned to cherish and nurture those close to us even more.

How Becoming a Franchisee WILL Help

Joining a franchise network is a great way to tick so many boxes when it comes to ensuring a balance of financial reward and family time. The franchise model offers a flexibility and luxury that many business-owners are unable to enjoy.

Countrywide Signs franchisees work as a mixture of being home-based and on the road. As long as the service-level agreement (SLA) with the agents is met it’s really up to the franchisee to pick and choose the hours he or she works. For example, if there’s a special event for a child, or an appointment you can’t miss, there’s no reason not to work your job commitments around it.

Franchisees either work the classic nine to five workday or mix it up but working early mornings or later evenings. Some even opt to fulfil their SLAs by working a Saturday or Sunday, so they can take a weekday as holiday. Remember, you are the boss! You base your week planning on the work required and your agreed commitments.

Lee Rathbone, Countrywide Signs Norfolk & East Suffolk comments on his own experience: “Owning my franchise has given me the chance to see more of my family than my previous job. It gives me the opportunity to do the morning drop-offs at school and even the evening pickups when needed. If we need a day off, we do more work in the lead up and after. It works well for me and my family. The work-life balance is definitely a massive bonus to owning a franchise.”

How to Achieve a Work-life Balance

Our training expert, Sue Jamil, was once a franchisee herself. Here are her top tips…

  • It’s all in the planning. You can plan your week of work based on your personal commitments. Rather than the other way round. Just ensure you meet your service-level agreement.
  • Build relationships with the network. That way when you need support from a franchisee operating close by you can share a mutual agreement. This help with holidays, sickness and if you ever had a broken-down van. You will also benefit from franchisor support at such times.
  • As an outdoors business, to fulfil orders during the busier times of spring and summer, you have the luxury of later evenings and lighter mornings. Opt to work a few evenings before the sun goes down. Before you know it, you’ll have achieved an extra day’s worth of work.
  • Choose your level of ambition. Are you looking to grow your business? In which case an employee with another van on the road can also carry the load when and if you need some time off. You will be able to see the kid’s sports day or meet up with a friend you haven’t seen in a while with no work guilt.

What are the Benefits of a Positive Work-life Balance?

Most importantly, especially in the times we live in, there are many benefits from a positive work-life balance.

  • It is great for mental and physical health.
  • It means avoiding the mental strain of feeling over-worked and over-whelmed.
  • You will never miss the all-important moments with your family.
  • If you get it right, you are guaranteed a life of happiness and fulfilment.
  • You will be able to take those well-deserved breaks with confidence and truly unwind.

In fact, The BFA, has just released a guide to help those looking at becoming a franchisee, to understand franchising and how it helps achieve a positive work-life balance. Take a look.

Interested in learning more about becoming a Countrywide Signs franchisee? Get in Touch today with our franchise experts or Schedule a Call with our franchise recruitment specialists.

*Photo: Lee Rathbone. Countrywide Signs Norfolk & East Suffolk.

Northampton Franchise Resale

An established Countrywide Signs territory covering all NN postcodes, with a customer base centred around Northampton.

Price including franchise fee: £49,995
Reported turnover: £48,000
Reported territory size: 287,000 properties
Current Operation: One van

About the business

The current franchisee has serviced the territory for over five years. Based outside the area, they travel into Northampton to manage the business. Currently operating with a single van, the territory offers a new owner the opportunity to explore further development across the area.

Reason for sale and handover

The owner is selling to concentrate on developing their adjacent territory. They will remain within the Countrywide Signs network nearby and will be available to offer guidance and assistance to the purchaser.

Take the Next Step

Get in touch to discuss the business, confirm the territory boundaries and explore the next steps.

Oxford Franchise Resale

An opportunity to take on an existing, company-owned Countrywide Signs territory covering Oxford and all OX postcodes.

Price including franchise fee: £39,995
Reported turnover: £24,000
Reported territory size: 367,000 properties
Estimated growth potential: Four to five vans

About the business

The Oxford territory supplies, installs and manages estate agent signage and has been serviced by Countrywide Signs for over 12 years. With an existing customer base, the territory provides a foundation for a new franchise owner to develop the business across the area.

The opportunity

Currently company-owned, this established territory is now being offered to a new franchise owner.

Take the Next Step

Get in touch to discuss the business, confirm the territory boundaries and explore the next steps.

Harlow Franchise Resale

An established Countrywide Signs business serving West Essex and South Cambridgeshire, with an existing customer base and support during the handover.

Price including franchise fee: £27,995
Reported turnover: £12,500
Reported territory size: 151,000 properties
Estimated growth potential: Two vans

About the territory

Based in Harlow, the territory includes Epping, Bishop’s Stortford, Great Dunmow, Sawbridgeworth, Saffron Walden and Haverhill. The current owner has operated the territory for over 10 years. The resale offers a new franchisee an existing estate agent signage business to develop across the area.

Reason for sale and handover

The owner is selling to focus on expanding another part of their existing business. They will work closely with the purchaser during the handover to help maintain customer relationships and support the transition to new ownership.

Take the Next Step

Get in touch to discuss the business, confirm the territory boundaries and explore the next steps.

Coventry Franchise Resale

Take on an established Countrywide Signs territory operated by the same franchisee for 22 years.

Price including franchise fee: £52,995
Reported turnover: £52,000
Reported territory size: 283,000 properties
Estimated growth potential: Four vans

About the territory

The territory covers Coventry and the surrounding towns of Coleshill, Nuneaton, Lutterworth, Daventry and Royal Leamington Spa. The current franchisee has spent 22 years supplying, installing and managing estate agent signage across the area, giving a new owner an established operation to build on.

Reason for sale

The owner is considering retirement and is open to selling the whole territory or part of it. A partial sale would allow them to reduce their workload, while a full sale would enable them to retire completely.

Take the Next Step

Get in touch to discuss the business, confirm the territory boundaries and explore the next steps.

North Devon Franchise Resale

An opportunity to acquire an established Countrywide Signs territory supplying, installing and managing estate agent signage.

Price including franchise fee: £30,995
Reported turnover: £14,500
Reported territory size: Over 255,000 properties
Estimated growth potential: Two to three vans

About the business

The territory is being offered by a franchisee based in southern Cornwall, who has developed a multi-van business there over the past 10 years. This resale gives a new owner the opportunity to take on the Devon part of that operation and develop its estate agency customer base.

Reason for sale and handover

The current franchisee is selling to consolidate their Cornwall territory. They will be available to assist the new owner during the early stages and are keen to build a longer-term working partnership across the area.

Take the Next Step

Get in touch to discuss the business, confirm the territory boundaries and explore the next steps.

SCHEDULE CALL