Franchising with friends: the perfect match?

It certainly was for Get Ahead VA franchisees Kristy Roff and Suzanne Cox

Can going into a franchise partnership with a friend be a match made in heaven or spell the end of your relationship? For Kristy Roff and Suzanne Cox, buying a Get Ahead franchise turned out to be the right decision for their careers and their friendship.

The pair met after becoming mums 13 years ago and have been friends ever since.

Suzanne had been working as an independent virtual assistant, while Kristy was in IT. Both had reached a point in their careers where they felt they had more to give and more to gain, with aspirations to see if they could make their ambitions of running their own business a successful reality.

Aligned values

Doing this alone felt like it might be a challenge too far. But with aligned values and complementary skills, a partnership felt like a much better option.

When they saw that the Get Ahead Reading franchise was available, it was too good an opportunity to miss and everything fell into place. Their franchise journey began in May 2019.

Awards achievement

Kristy says: “Investing in a Get Ahead franchise has been a great career move for us. “Though the pandemic threw us some major challenges, it hasn’t put us off track. We have welcomed a variety of new clients and delivered some fantastic projects.

“We were recently shortlisted as a ‘New Business of the Year’ finalist for the Encouraging Women into Franchising Awards, which is such an achievement. It has been a roller coaster start for our business, but I’m so proud of everything we have achieved.

“Rebecca, Get Ahead’s founder, has been so supportive. We love the balance of running our own business, but being part of the wider team too.”

“Most importantly,” Suzanne adds, “we’re just as good friends as we were two years ago.

“Buying the franchise as partners means we can always share ideas, plans, responsibility and tasks. Neither of us is ever alone with the frustrations or worries of running our own business and we always have someone to share our celebrations with. I would definitely recommend a franchise partnership with a friend as something to consider.”

Joy to watch

Rebecca Newenham, founder and director of Get Ahead, says: “I’m so proud of what Kristy and Suzanne have achieved.

“From the moment they got in touch, I could see how well they worked together and their enthusiasm for a joint business venture was apparent.

“That enthusiasm has translated into real results for their franchise and it’s been a joy to watch their business grow. I look forward to continuing to support them and helping them take their business to the next level.”

Get Ahead’s team of over 40 experts provides virtual support to businesses of all sizes.

From virtual assistants to social media managers, video conference facilitators, designers, bookkeepers or another specialist, they can help.

With established franchisees across the UK, their team of experts provides flexible business services on an ad hoc or ongoing basis.

At a glance Get Ahead VA

Established:

2017

Number of franchised outlets:

8

Location of units:

Leeds, South Yorkshire, The Wirral, East Midlands, Berkshire & North Hampshire, West London, West Surrey, Suffolk & Essex

Investment range:

£8,000

Minimum required capital:

£0

Contact:

01483 332220 or rebecca@getaheadva.com franchise.getaheadva.com