What Franchise Issue 21.1

DEBBIE DICKSON Franchisee for Apollo Care Southport I never planned to work in care, let alone run a business. Up until about 10 years ago, I was working around my family in a bank call centre as a repayment advisor. Everything changed when I left my job to care for my terminally-ill brother. After he passed away, I took a year out to process everything.When it was time to return to work, I tried a part-time role in care, just for a fewweeks to see how it felt. Life shifted again when my marriage ended, and I moved into a full-time position. It turned out to be one of my best decisions ever – I loved care work and eventually progressed to become a trainer. In January 2020, I joined Apollo CareWestWirral as deputy manager, which happens to be run by my cousin, although I earned the role on my own merits. Right from the start, I knewApollo was different. The carers genuinely supported each other, everyone got along, and the clients always came first. I remember thinking, “Wow, this is not like anything I’ve experienced before.” It was clear that the company really valued its staff as much as its clients, and that made all the difference for me. Not long afterwards, the opportunity came up to buy Apollo Care Southport. My cousin was already part-owner, and I was ready for the next step. She casually said, “It’s such a pity you can’t just buy Southport,” and that was the spark.What started as a passing comment soon became reality when I decided to take the plunge. Our first client came in 2022, but those early months were tough. I was still working between WestWirral and Southport while trying to balance work with family life. There were moments when I thought we’d never get it off the ground. But with support from head office – especially Owen, our business support manager, who guided me through the hardest moments – we kept pushing. Nearly two years ago, I became full owner of Southport, buying my cousin out. Since then, we’ve grown steadily, and now the franchise is owned by me and my son. Having him alongside me feels like a natural fit because Apollo’s values are so family orientated. Starting out, I had to do everything myself – care, rotas, supervisions, even the books. It wasn’t easy, but it taught me every part of the business. We’ve since built an incredible team of carers – 14 at last count – and I’m really proud of them. I still go out on community visits care calls myself, which keeps me grounded and connected to the work, and reminds me why I do what I do. Now, we’re able to promote fromwithin. Two of our carers are completing apprenticeships and moving into office roles as care coordinators. Watching them grow has been one of the most rewarding parts of this journey, and it also gives me space to step back from the day-to-day. Running a care business has its challenges. For me, learning the finances was tricky at first – working out pay, costs, and overheads – and I’m not exactly what you’d call tech-savvy, so bookkeeping took some patience. But head office has always been there to support me, whether it’s compliance, accounts, or even something as simple as helping design a leaflet. I’ve always felt like I’m not on my own. Looking back, I’m amazed at how far we’ve come. Ten years ago, if someone had told me I’d employ 14 staff, care for 30 clients, and run a thriving franchise, I would have laughed. One of the most satisfying parts for me has been building a team – guiding people through those early weeks when they’re learning the ropes and watching them grow in confidence – and creating a work environment that makes themwant to stay. Community is hugely important too. Last year, we took our dementia singing group to the Southport Flower Show, where they performed live. Those experiences go beyond care – they bring joy, connection, and a sense of belonging to our clients and our team, which is what makes this work so special. Looking ahead, I’m planning to bring in a deputy or registered general manager. It feels like the right step as we continue to grow. On a personal level, I’ve learned to take a step back too. This summer, we even managed our first proper holiday in years, which felt like a milestone as the team ran brilliantly without me. Owning a care franchise has been the most rewarding career change I could have made. It’s hard at times, and requires patience and empathy, but the difference you make in people’s lives is priceless. Sometimes you’re the only person a client sees all day, and just by being there, you can brighten their world. That’s something I never take for granted. “Sometimes you’re the only person a client sees all day, and just by being there, you can brighten their world” Debbie Dickson never imagined she’d be running her own care business. After leaving her job to care for her terminally ill brother, she found a new calling in the care sector – one that combined compassion with purpose. In 2020, she joined Apollo CareWest Wirral as deputy manager and quickly realised she had found a company that shared her values: a focus on personalised, high-quality care, supporting both clients and staff. A year later, an opportunity arose to take over Apollo Care Southport, and Debbie took the leap. Since then, she and her son have grown the franchise from its very first client into a thriving local business. Guided by Apollo Care’s ethos – empowering people to live independently at home with dignity and companionship – Debbie has built a team and a community-focused service she is immensely proud of. 58 WHAT FRANCHISE Issue 21.1