Angela Wilson began teaching while still training and competing as an international swimmer in the European, World and Commonwealth Games. As her client numbers grew, she established Angela’s Swim School in 2002 which she ran initially with her mum Jean who had also been an international swimmer. Growing student numbers and her drive to see as many people as possible learn to swim properly and benefit from her experience of swimming at the highest levels, Angela started considering her options. It was finally her bank who introduced her to franchising as the possible way forward.
With other organisations available, Angela was recommended to join the BFA as the only trade association supporting ethical and inclusive franchising in the UK. Going into something totally new it was so helpful having these credentials behind her.
What common franchising myths have you encountered, particularly regarding your brand or sector?
Myth: Why do I need to give a franchisor a percentage of my income when I can just set up on my own?
Fact: Going solo may mean that you keep all the income but you’re keeping 100% of the risk too. As a Franchisee you build your business on the shoulders of established franchisors. They have years of sector experience behind them, have recovered from various mistakes and issues to continue trading and have invested heavily into digital technology and processes. That’s great news for you, meaning that everything is tried and tested long before your business begins.
Myth: It won’t feel like my business because the franchisor makes all the decisions and I do all the work?
Fact: The reality is your franchise is your business. That’s from the day-to-day running to handling expansion and delivering a brand you can trust. But that doesn’t mean you’re alone. Your franchisor will give you plenty of support and a range of key resources, so you always feel connected within your franchise network.
Myth: As I’m running my own business, I always have to make my own supplier arrangements
Fact: Well, no. Franchises will often benefit if they buy products and services via the franchisor centrally due to the larger scale of the franchise system. Franchisors often have established commercial partners that make it easier for franchisees to access quality products and services.
What key factors contribute to the success of franchised businesses in your experience?
“Franchises are at their most effective when franchisee and franchisor treat each other as partners.”, says swim school founder, franchisor and CEO, Angela Wilson. “The process needs to be fully collaborative and transparent. This means valuing the ideas of your franchisees and getting to know these key people well enough to understand their specific skills and how they can be mutually beneficial.”
And transparency needs to happen across every part of the franchise, including financial elements. This means access to well-organised accounts and projections at key parts of the recruitment cycle and once in place being totally clear about sales to date. That’s why the online digital booking process at Angela’s Swim School has been such a key asset – it allows for seamless customer sales and sharing of commission between franchisor and franchisee.