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its franchisees. “It means that I only put in an hour a day on the admin, so I can juggle the hog roast work with my consultancy business,” says Peter. Part time prowess Charlotte Bradshaw combines her job as a midwife in the NHS with being the principal of the Razzamataz Theatre School in Leicester. “I’m currently working three long shifts a week as a midwife, with a plan to drop this to two shifts,” she says. “When Razzamataz builds, I will make a further decision, but for now, I always want to keep a hand in midwifery.” Charlotte qualified as a midwife in 2018, but was looking for an outlet to mitigate the stresses that can come with such an under-pressure role. “I had been feeling trapped, miserable, and a bit desperate, worrying about how to change my life,” she says. “Then I watched a Razzamataz video where a theatre school principal was talking about the right time to go into business. A switch flicked on in my head and everything about Razzamataz just felt right. A huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. I was nervous, but more excited than anything.” Prior to investing, Charlotte had never performed professionally and had no experience in running a business, but then she found resources offering a helpful guide to setting up a successful franchise location. “Razzamataz has launched more than 60 new schools, so I just needed to follow their system,” she explains. “The role is very flexible so I can combine working for the NHS and launching my school. “So far, it’s working really well, and I can choose when I do things, working at my own pace and around my midwifery shifts and social life. I’m very busy but it is easy to fit it in if you are organised and Razzamataz head office staff are great for getting back to me quickly if I have any questions or need support.” Complementary careers In 2017, Nick Blakemore became a magistrate as well as the Lichfield and Tamworth franchisee at OSCAR Pet Foods, where he began delivering nutritional advice, food, and accessories to pet owners. “I could only volunteer as a magistrate once I’d set up my own business and could give my own free time,” says Nick. “Magistrate’s rotas are set six months in advance so I have plenty of notice. I keep a strict delivery schedule for OSCAR and allocate days for admin and stock management.” Nick Blakemore Charlotte Bradshaw He advises others who want to adopt two roles to keep time blocked for both without allowing them to cross over as it can be confusing. “Have a clear discussion with the previous business owner and the franchisor to understand the true time expectations to perform the role effectively,” says Nick. “Some franchises are less flexible than others. Also, clarify service level expectations with customers from day one.” For Nick, it has helped that the OSCAR customer relationship management system allows for scheduling and stock management and has generous timelines for company meetings and training. “It means I can integrate the two dairies without too many panic activities. “OSCAR also permits flexible working practices so I can set my own delivery, admin, and stock days to balance between my interests.” “It’s working really well, and I can choose when I do things, working at my own pace and around my midwifery shifts and social life” “Have a clear discussion with the previous business owner and the franchisor to understand the true time expectations to perform the role effectively” WHAT-FRANCHISE.COM 29 WORK-L I FE BALANCE