Business Franchise Magazine: Family Franchises :
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Knowing that she was investing in a tried and tested brand, made the decisions to take on a LighterLife franchise all the easier for Sonia Stephenson, working under the umbrella of a successful brand that would support her 100% of her journey. “It was important for me to know that if I needed to share ideas or get advice, someone was there able to provide what I needed”. She continued “I also knew that they would be equally keen for me to succeed as I would be”. Having her own experience of weight-gain and weight-loss, Sonia was attracted to the Unique Selling Point of the LighterLife Programme. She explains “I have a catalogue of experiences behind me where I had lost weight, put it back on and then some and yet no other weight-loss company ever suggested that perhaps I needed to monitor my thinking because my thoughts were the primary cause of my weight -gain.
After only a few months of running her franchise Sonia was amazed at how busy she became and how she would need assistance fast. After speaking to a family member, it was suggested that she spoke to her youngest sister Elena and ask for her help. “At first I was not sure as I had heard it said that it is not good to work with family members” Sonia explained. “The fact that there is 16 years between us meant our interests were different and our relationship was not necessarily very close”. Elena had the same thoughts and was equally nervous about working with a family member. “I remember when I started I was more nervous than going for a job with a company. I had a real awe of her, as my older sister she seemed very perfect at everything so I was desperate to please” says Elena. “As time went on this cooled and she became more than my boss but also a friend and at last my sister. I wanted to be just like her, and that proved to be a big benefit as she become my mentor and I mimicked myself on her”.
Although both sisters enjoy working together, they understand that working with a family member doesn’t always run as smoothly as hoped and at times tempers flare. However both Sonia and Elena not only see the funny side they, they also realise that an argument isn’t always such a big thing as Sonia explains “Elena can sometimes be a bit bossy, most times I just let it go over my head because it's generally not a big thing”. Elena continues “Yes Sonia does say I'm bossy at times, but then I remind her that, I am the way I am because of her ‘I’m your protégée remember', I tell her”.
Neither sister regrets the decision to have gone into business together as they know what it takes, to not only run a successful business, but to do so with a family member. “When it comes to running a franchise with a family member I think it depends on the type of person” says Sonia. “Just because someone is a family member it does not make them the 'right' person, it's like a marriage you have to be compatible, there has to be similar interests, be able to tolerate different working styles amongst other things”. Elena knows that the trust they have, she could have with no other person “Every decision we make is in the best interest of both of us. I don't have to worry about back stabbing or protecting my interest because we share everything both big and small. We each know what our strengths are and we give each other space to exercise those, at the same time encouraging each other when there are challenges ahead”.
Looking to the future both Sonia and Elena wish to grow their business and provide a better service to their clients. Sonia: “We want to continue to build a bigger and better business and hope that each of our days become happier than the last. We hope we can add more and more value to the work we do so that others can realise their potential and possibilities.”
