Franchises for Women UK Merry Maids

Nicky Morris owns the Merry Maids Franchise of Fylde & Blackpool.  She is married and has a 10 year old son.  When Nicky began her business 4 years ago it was the only company of its time in the area.   Here Nicky tells Select Your Franchise what it is like to run a successful Merry Maids Franchise...  

What is your background?

"My career background has been in banking, business banking, insurance/investments sales and prior to starting the business I was a fulltime mature student for 2 years studying for a HND in Business Management."

Why did you want to invest in a Franchise?

"I was looking for a business opportunity over the course of a couple of years that I felt was right for me.  I was investigating all options including franchising.  When I read a review of domestic cleaning franchises I knew I had hit on the right idea for me.  This was obviously an expanding market and I knew there was a place for a more business like approach to home cleaning."

Why did you choose Merry Maids?

"I was attracted to merry maids as I preferred the business franchise plan rather than an agency style franchise where you deal with everyone over the phone.  I was looking to build up relationships with both staff and customers.  Merry maids has a proven track record around the world and is the largest domestic cleaning franchise in the U.K."

What are the benefits of running a Franchise?

"Running a franchise means that you do not waste time learning expensive lessons the hard way but get your business up and running profitably during the first year."

"Building up and running your own business is extremely rewarding but not for the fainthearted!  You need to be prepared to put in all your time and effort initially. However, as you expand and become more established you not only benefit from higher levels of profit, but also some flexibility with your time which is essential when you have children."   

How is it all going?

"I have recently received the ServiceMaster Award of Excellence from my Franchisor (one of two awards presented annually to the network).  This kind of recognition does make you pause from the day to day whirl to note what you have achieved.  My business has grown from nothing to a limited company employing 18 people in just over 4 years."

What is an average day like for you?

"Every day I arrive at the office at 8.30 to ensure the maids have the worksheets, keys etc that they need for the day.  This is the busiest half hour of the day getting everyone set off!  The maids mainly arrive at 9 am but some come earlier to organise the cleaning kits and cloths."

"If it is a day when my office manager is in, I will spend the day out on quote appointments pricing up new work.  If I am the only one in the office I spend the day returning calls from the answer phone and answering telephone queries.  I also take care of paperwork from banking to Health & Safety documents.  I manage our marketing strategies too.  The main skill required is the ability to multitask constantly."

What Training do you receive from Merry Maids?

"After the initial two week training period and a home visit my merry maids operational support manager is always a call away with any query that I have.  I am also visited to check how things are going. We meet twice a year for a formal regional meeting but I meet with local franchisees in between and we often phone & email each other for help and support.  We receive regular correspondence from our franchisor and there is a formal franchisee representative body to discuss issues and strategy for the merry maids network with the franchisor."

What are your plans for the future?

"Being of a competitive nature, I plan to see my business continuing to climbs its way up our league tables – based on turnover.  As well as looking to expand our customer base and increase our turnover, I am working on increasing profitability and ensuring we maintain the highest level of customer satisfaction in order to keep the customers we already have. The same applies to looking after your valuable staff.   Good employees are harder to find and it is important to value them as they are the face of your business that customers see on a regular basis."

"I would like to finish with just a sample of the comments that our customers have made during our recent survey...."

“Absolutely first rate in every way.”

“I think you are really wonderful.”

“Must compliment you on your friendly efficient girls.”

“Everywhere now sparkles.”

“We are so pleased to have the girls help and to have heard of merry maids.”

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