smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

The number of women getting into franchising is rising and a new micro site has been set up to encourage and support aspiring female franchisees.

‘Many women who have been running a home and raising a family have many of the attributes needed to run a business successfully - they are decisive, energetic, organise well and are used to doing at least three things at once!’ says Cathryn Hayes, National Franchise Manager, HSBC. ‘If you have these qualities you may be well suited to running your own business but if you are unsure what to do, then franchising could be just the thing.’

With more women reaching high-ranking positions within the franchise world, including Rosemary Conley and Cathryn Hayes herself, the sector is becoming more open for women to enter.

The new site, www.whichfranchise.com/women, aims to offer support, information, links and inspiration to women thinking of going into business for themselves and considering franchising as an option.

The site believes these are the fundamental reasons why women are suited to franchising:

• Women tend to be good listeners and build lasting relationships more easily, which are fundamental requirements of franchising.
• Many women prefer fulfilling work in a pleasant culture to building empires, another reason why so many women want to start-up their own business.
• Prioritising and being detail-oriented are other characteristics of women that make them ideal for franchising.
• As are placing greater emphasis on such skills as being organised and having the ability to handle numerous tasks.