Hi,

I want you to share with me any career or workplace dilemmas, from how to find a meaningful and satisfying career to dealing with a difficult manager or member of staff.

If you have overcome any recent obstacles please share with us your experiences.

I hope to provide some insightful techniques and support you in making the most from your career and life.

Hi Emma

What a good idea.

I had a dilemma when I decided to leave the corporate world and start up in business. I purchased a franchise called Beautytek and thought all would go well as I would be on my own but also have the support of the franchisor. However things didn't quite go to plan. Three months after I purchased the franchise the franchisor sold out his business to someone else and advised me that I could either take up a franchise with the new franchisor for an extra £5,000 plus 10% of my turnover or I could just go it alone. I sought legal advice and was told that he was in breach of his contract to me but as I had a lease payment that I had personally guaranteed there probably wouldn't be much point taking him to court because even I successfully managed to sue him I would still have the lease to pay for. My solicitor wrote to him and he advised her that although he had sold his business on he still had his company and that he would support me as my franchisor which gave him a get out clause. He however worked for the company that he had sold his business to. It was pretty obvious that I was on my own and basically had to just get on with it. So far I have survived a year in business and believe it or not he had the front to chase me for a franchise payment which I basically told him to sing for. Although at first I panicked and thought what will I do now I picked myself up and decided to just get on with it. There have been times when I felt really low when business is slow and wondered how I would get through but then things pick up again and it helps to make you feel better.

Hope this isn't too much and is maybe what you were looking for.

Linda

Hi Emma, well the thing that I find a challenge when working for yourself is that self development can get forgotten as driving the business foreward becomes the most important thing.

When really, self development is key if it is you that is doing the driving!!!

Sometimes I sit down and say to myself ' if you were working for someone else, what would your expectation be?' and this can be in relation to development, or time off, or any other business/career issue.

Any advice on how self employed women can intergrate development into their busy schedules?

Hi Linda,

This is not too much at all, thank you for sharing your extremely challenging experience. Coming from the corporate world and starting up a business can be an extremely daunting experience at the best of time. Generally we leave a specialised and established career and move into unknown territories such as budgeting, marketing, sales and strategy. Firstly I would like to say well done for taking that brave leap into the business world, so many people consider running their own business but procrastination stops them. As you mentioned your decision to purchase a franchise would reduce some of those risks associated with a start-up as you could draw on the experience and expertise of the franchisor. Not to mention quality products and an established brand. The company has really let you down and it seems you have been left on a wing and a prayer to make the most from a difficult and unexpected situation. I salute you for persevering with the business and you have shown great courage and commitment.

When business is slow, generally women can take this personally and begin to doubt themselves and their capabilities. When I find myself in this situation I try and remind myself of all the positive things I have achieved in my business to date. Also I try and remind myself that even though business is slow now to have faith in the future and that it will begin to pick up.

Firstly, I suggest you clarify what it is about the Beautytek you standby. Are you still as passionate about the products as you were when you bought into the franchise? Establishing how your personal values and passions are connected to the products will help to pull you through the turbulent times during establishing your client base.

Next consider your long-term goals and do you feel you are moving closer towards these goals on a day by day, week by week month by month basis?

Finally identify your personal and business strengths and weaknesses. We can't be good at everything in business. It is the ability to face those weaknesses and challenges and begin to consider ways to reduce those weaknesses which will inherently reduce your business risks.

What pearl of wisdom can you offer to those considering buying into a franchise?

Hi Sue

Excellent point to make, setting up a new business is about being able to provide cutting edge services and/or products but also (initially)running all internal departments to your business and move it on.

At the end of the day I always want to make sure I am providing the best possible service to my clients so adding to and refreshing my skills is essential for business development and progression.

Businesswomen should see their own personal development as key to having competitive advantage and therefore is directly essential for business success. Like my previous message to Linda understanding your strengths and weaknesses is a good place to start identifying training needs. Then as budget allows continue to eliminate those weaknesses by further personal development. This will then form part of the foundations for your strategic plan. By setting aside at least 1/2 day a week for business development, will give you the time to reflect on your personal training needs and research relevant courses.

Emma