“Running a virtual assistant franchise felt like a great fit for me”

After conducting thorough research, Emma Barratt says the Get Ahead VA franchise was the clear choice

Even if you have decided that franchising is the right next step, tough decisions lie ahead. How do you compare different franchise options and decide which one is right for you? Which key factors should you consider during your due diligence process?

Many options available

With over 18 years of experience in marketing, sales and operations roles, including running the marketing function at dealership level for Aston Martin and Jaguar and spending many years managing stores for a high end furniture retailer, Emma Barratt was used to making tough decisions.

She was keen to use her entrepreneurial flair to run her own business, but was aware of the potential pitfalls of totally ‘going it alone’. Emma decided that buying a franchise was the right solution, but with so many options available, comparing them to decide which one to choose was a real challenge.

She says: “Running a virtual assistant franchise felt like a great fit for me, as my own skill set is quite diverse.

“I looked closely at three or four different options for VA franchises, comparing and contrasting them. I was surprised by how different the franchising models were - some expecting me to do the VA work myself, while others were more flexible.

“I had discovery calls with several franchisors and asked lots of questions to help make my decision.

“Right from the start, Rebecca Newenham of Get Ahead VA was so efficient, getting back to me straight away. She was patient throughout the process, answering everything I asked and putting me in touch with other franchisees so I could get their firsthand experience.

“She was friendly, supportive and professional and made the whole process of due diligence so easy that it was a clear choice for me in the end. I think if things go smoothly and flow easily, they are generally right.

“The other Get Ahead VA franchisees were so open and honest, which I found very refreshing. It felt like a non-competitive, supportive environment. The franchise model felt right - and the team did too. Rebecca was so enthusiastic about the business and her team and I could immediately see that we would work well together.”

Support services

Running her own territory in the East Midlands, Emma is working with businesses in Nottingham, Derby, Loughborough and Burton upon Trent to provide marketing and business support services through the Get Ahead VA network.

The team of over 40 virtual assistants delivers these services, enabling businesses of all sizes and from all sectors to save time, save money and get ahead.

With established franchisees from Wakefield in the north of England to West Surrey in the south, Get Ahead VA’s team of highly experienced professionals provide flexible business services on an hourly, project or ongoing basis.

At a glance Get Ahead VA

Name of franchise:

Get Ahead VA

Established:

2017

Number of franchised outlets:

8

Location of units:<

Leeds, South Yorkshire, Cheshire West & The Wirral, East Midlands, Berkshire & North Hampshire, West Surrey, Suffolk & Essex, West London Investment range: £8,000

Minimum required capital:

£0

Contact:

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