What-Franchise-Issue-20.3

appiness isn’t just a perk of a job – it’s the backbone of any thriving business. That’s something Jen Chapman, founder of Cinder (which provides bespoke and tailored mental fitness training to franchise support teams and their franchisee networks), understands deeply. During her time at the BFA (British Franchise Association), where she supported franchisees and franchisors through the challenges of the Covid-19 lockdowns, she noticed that many were struggling with their own mental health and that of those around them but didn’t know how to access the right support. Those conversations inspired her to launch Cinder in 2021, with a mission to make mental health support as common as marketing and sales training. Now, Jen is taking that mission a step further with a nationwide survey designed to improve support around mental health in franchising. Using real data, Jen aims to reveal just how much mental wellbeing impacts business performance and to spark open conversations across the industry. The goal is simple: to make mental wellbeing support a priority in franchising, so happiness isn’t just part of the pitch – it’s part of the plan. What inspired you to launch the Cinder survey, and what do you hope to uncover? Jen Chapman: I guess to fully explain why I wanted to launch this survey, it’s important to understand the motivation for launching Cinder back in 2021. It all started during the Covid-19 lockdown when I was working at the British Franchise Association (BFA). I found myself having organic conversations with both franchisors and franchisees about their concerns around mental health – not only for their own wellbeing, but also for that of those around them. Many were unsure of how to go about helping others who were struggling – what language to use, what resources to offer, and what actions to put in place. I wanted to do something to help, both in my capacity as a franchise specialist and by drawing frommy own experiences and journey. I essentially launched Cinder to offer mental health first aid support to an industry that I’m very proud to have been part of for over 10 years. The main goal of this survey is to pull together qualifiable data that will legitimise the need for mental health support across our industry. By gathering real data, we can identify the areas where support is most needed and then start those meaningful conversations necessary to drive change. Why is mental health sometimes overlooked in franchising, despite its impact on business performance? Having worked with some of the biggest brands in franchising, I’ve seen firsthand just how common mental health challenges are for people operating in this industry. For far too long, mental health has been dismissed as a ‘soft’ issue, leading to a culture where struggles are sometimes downplayed, overlooked or even ignored altogether. It doesn’t get the attention it deserves, yet it has a real, measurable impact on business performance. The survey aims to expose some of the biggest barriers stopping both franchisees and franchisors from speaking more openly about their mental health concerns. Franchisees carry so much on their shoulders. Many have invested their life savings into their business and, for some, it’s their ‘last chance’ after redundancy. That kind of pressure can feel overwhelming, especially when the reality of running a franchise doesn’t immediately match the promise of work-life balance. Likewise, franchisors face the complex challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. Not only do they provide ongoing support to their entire network of franchisees, but they must also focus on expanding their own business, while looking after their own mental health. Juggling these demands can feel overwhelming, causing many franchisors to neglect their own mental health needs altogether. It’s that ‘burying your head in the sand’ mentality that is so prevalent in business ownership – sadly I see it all too often. H “Leaders are often focused on sales and marketing, which is understandable, but if someone is anxious, burnt out or lacking in confidence, even the best training won’t make them perform as well as they can in these areas” – Jen Chapman, Cinder 36 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 20.3