Franchise interview: Farrah Rose, head of international development of The Franchising Centre

“Do whatever you choose to do with unwavering passion, determination, integrity and hard work,” says Farrah

BW: What do you love most about your job?
FR: Working with a variety of clients in different sectors, the flexibility of working patterns, keeping up to date with international franchise development trends and international travel. I also love adding value to the well-being of clients, employees and their families.

BW: Greatest sacrifice you’ve made to get where you are today?
FR: Combining imminent client needs with raising a young family.

BW: Biggest risk you’ve taken and how did it work out?
FR: Leaving a plc board position and relying on project work, which could have meant feast or famine with no guarantee of regular income. Luckily, the risk never materialised.

BW: Proudest achievement - work or otherwise?
FR: Developing The Franchising Centre International Division to be the leading voice of authority in international franchising globally, with 75 associated offices in 100-plus countries.

BW: Who do you go to for advice?
FR: Brian Duckett, my chairman at The Franchising Centre.

BW: Who do you most admire?
FR: In the franchising arena, Martin Mendelsohn and Edward Levitt, who are passionate, knowledgeable and supportive individuals. In general life, the late Wayne Dwyer and Eckhart Tolle.

BW: Biggest lesson you’ve learned along the way?
FR: Do whatever you choose to do with unwavering passion, determination, integrity and hard work. No one will hand you anything for free.

BW: What advice would you give the younger you?
FR: Don’t take life too seriously, don’t try to please everyone - you never can - and nothing lasts forever. Do your best because nobody, including you, can judge you for failing. But don’t allow failure to define you. Always do what you do with integrity and a sense of responsibility of the impact your actions will have on others.

BW: If I’d known then what I know now…
FR: I probably would have enjoyed the journey a bit more.

BW: Which three women inspire you most?
FR: My mother, a humanitarian, strong, hard-working, ethical, mindful Iranian woman who fought for justice in a traditional society to touch the lives of the underprivileged. Mother Theresa, for her compassion and integrity. Rosa Parks, for her bravery.

BW: Sum up what women can bring to a business
FR: Intuition, intelligence, organisational skills, creativity, flair, tolerance, the ability to multitask, compassion, determination, emotional intelligence and hard work.

BW: Biggest challenges women in business face today?
FR: Finding the right space to sit comfortably within a business. Some women try to mask their natural, female-specific, God given gifts, viewing them as weaknesses rather than strengths. The more mature generation of women in business, of which I am one, have proven that our gifts, such as intuition, persistence, emotional intelligence, empathy and gentleness, are important qualities not to be discarded

BW: What’s next for you?
FR: Having raised two awesome kids and given them wings to fly, I have even more freedom to throw myself into my consultancy work. I am also eager to run educational workshops in emerging markets. Leaving a modest legacy is extremely important to me and I’m privileged and honoured to have been given a space in this growing industry over the past 35 years to contribute and witness its development.

BW: What do you love most about your job?
FR: Working with a variety of clients in different sectors, the flexibility of working patterns, keeping up to date with international franchise development trends and international travel. I also love adding value to the well-being of clients, employees and their families.

BW: Greatest sacrifice you’ve made to get where you are today?
FR: Combining imminent client needs with raising a young family.

BW: Biggest risk you’ve taken and how did it work out?
FR: Leaving a plc board position and relying on project work, which could have meant feast or famine with no guarantee of regular income. Luckily, the risk never materialised.

BW: Proudest achievement - work or otherwise?
FR: Developing The Franchising Centre International Division to be the leading voice of authority in international franchising globally, with 75 associated offices in 100-plus countries.

BW: Who do you go to for advice?
FR: Brian Duckett, my chairman at The Franchising Centre.

BW: Who do you most admire?
FR: In the franchising arena, Martin Mendelsohn and Edward Levitt, who are passionate, knowledgeable and supportive individuals. In general life, the late Wayne Dwyer and Eckhart Tolle.

BW: Biggest lesson you’ve learned along the way?
FR: Do whatever you choose to do with unwavering passion, determination, integrity and hard work. No one will hand you anything for free.

BW: What advice would you give the younger you?
FR: Don’t take life too seriously, don’t try to please everyone - you never can - and nothing lasts forever. Do your best because nobody, including you, can judge you for failing. But don’t allow failure to define you. Always do what you do with integrity and a sense of responsibility of the impact your actions will have on others.

BW: If I’d known then what I know now…
FR: I probably would have enjoyed the journey a bit more.

BW: Which three women inspire you most?
FR: My mother, a humanitarian, strong, hard-working, ethical, mindful Iranian woman who fought for justice in a traditional society to touch the lives of the underprivileged. Mother Theresa, for her compassion and integrity. Rosa Parks, for her bravery.

BW: Sum up what women can bring to a business
FR: Intuition, intelligence, organisational skills, creativity, flair, tolerance, the ability to multitask, compassion, determination, emotional intelligence and hard work.

BW: Biggest challenges women in business face today?
FR: Finding the right space to sit comfortably within a business. Some women try to mask their natural, female-specific, God given gifts, viewing them as weaknesses rather than strengths. The more mature generation of women in business, of which I am one, have proven that our gifts, such as intuition, persistence, emotional intelligence, empathy and gentleness, are important qualities not to be discarded

BW: What’s next for you?
FR: Having raised two awesome kids and given them wings to fly, I have even more freedom to throw myself into my consultancy work. I am also eager to run educational workshops in emerging markets. Leaving a modest legacy is extremely important to me and I’m privileged and honoured to have been given a space in this growing industry over the past 35 years to contribute and witness its development.