Featured Franchises
Primary industry: Domestic Cleaning
Minimum investment level: £7,995
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Amanda Perkins Gets The ‘Recognition’ She Deserves
Recognition Express, a major franchise specialising in branding and marketing materials of all kinds ranging from corporate clothing to plaques, badges and pens, and one of the leading franchise networks in the UK with over 50 franchise owners, sponsored one of the main categories in the 2011 competition.
Nigel Toplis, managing director of Recognition Express presented the award for Young Woman Franchisee of the Year 2010 to Amanda Perkins, a former human resources advisor who runs Musical Minis in Buckingham and South Northamptonshire.
Amanda decided to set up the business offering music classes to pre-school youngsters after returning to work following maternity leave.
Mother of one Amanda launched the franchise in March of 2010 and the experience of running her own business was very typical of women in the same position.
She says that: “I originally enquired for a job as an assistant or teacher and discovered the local Musical Minis franchisee was trying to sell up due to personal reasons.”
“I did lots of research on my area, the population and competition before committing. The whole process went very quickly and I was underway in a matter of months; that was in March 2010 and I haven’t looked back.”
Amanda adds that: “I would rather do this than anything else. I have so much more motivation than I did working in HR. As well as being my own boss I get to work with children in a fun atmosphere.”
Mr Toplis says: “Running your own franchise is one of the best ways of gaining independence and getting involved in growing and establishing a business.”
“Because of the nature of running a franchise it is a career particularly suited to people who need their own independence and want to take control of their working lives. We are finding more and more women are getting involved in the sector. Many people are looking to return to work after a career break and running your own franchise can be the ideal solution.”
“It is important that more women get involved in franchising and these awards were about publicising people’s efforts, showing what can be achieved and encouraging those thinking of making a career change to come forward. We were delighted to get involved in the event and to be given the chance to sponsor such an important category.”
In 2011 there were four awards, and the winners were:
- Lisa Tobias, Domino's Pizza, Woman Franchisee of the Year 2010
- Amanda Perkins - Musical Minis -Young Woman Franchisee of the Year 2010 (under 30)
- Sophie Brooks - Clive's Easylearn Pop Music Schools - Woman Franchisor of the Year 2010
- Sarah Cook – Coconut Creatives - Woman Franchise Service Provider of the Year 2010
In 2012, the number of awards for the year 2011 has increased to six:
- The NatWest Award for Woman Franchisee of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful woman franchisee during 2011 - The Recognition Express Award for New Woman Franchisee of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful woman franchisee during 2011 that became a franchisee after 1st January 2010. - The Coconut Creatives Award for Woman Franchisor of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful woman franchisor during 2011. - The WPA Award for New Woman Franchisor of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful woman franchisor during 2011 that launched their franchise after 1st January 2009. - The Owen White Award for Franchisor Woman Employee of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful franchisor woman employee during 2012 - The Franchise Show Award for Woman Franchise Service Provider of the Year 2011
Recognising the most successful woman franchise service provider during 2012
PLUS - The Business Options Outstanding Contribution to Women in Franchising Award 2011 - Recognising the work of a woman who has made a major contribution to franchising in 2011.
Note: Individuals can not nominate themselves for this Award. The winner will be chosen by the judges based on their knowledge of the special work of the individual.
For further information on EWIF and the EWIF Awards 2012, go to www.ewif.org
Anyone wishing to enter one of the awards should go to www.ewif.org/page5.htm and download the relevant entry form and ensure they are received at awards@ewif.org by 5pm on 24th February 2012. The Award Ceremony will be in London on Thursday 29th March 2012.
