Joe Guishard, Right at Home Cardiff & Newport

The Natural progression to continue his passion for helping others

Joe, the proud of owner of the Right at Home Cardiff & Newport franchise held previous experience in helping others during his past role as a police officer. Joe held a real passion for aiding those in need, and for many years his main aim was to make the streets of Cardiff a safer place. The only issue Joe had personally, was the fact that he wasn't helping himself to achieve his own set goals.

Just like you and I have at some stage in our careers, Joe started to consider himself in different jobs, trying to figure out the perfect match. It soon became apparent that what he really required was the flexibility to work for himself and to grow a business that would test his skillset, reward his hard work and to then have a positive effect on those around him.

Joe's first encounter with the Right at Home Franchise didn't arrive until the day he decided to inform his family of his intentions to leave the police force. Joe had fortunately read an article in the paper that was an interview from a current Right at Home Franchisee.

Joe had first hand experience through his current job of vulnerable people failing to receive the care they required and deserved either at home or in care. This particular Right at Home franchisee editorial demonstrated a pathway to providing a compassionate and professional service to people within the comfort of their own home. The opportunity he had been looking for was right there, it was a franchise opportunity with Right at Home.

Joe talks on his initial engagement

" After a couple of in depth calls with the Right at Home franchise team, I was then invited to attend one of their franchisee Discovery Days that they hold at their Head Quarters. It was here where I was first introduced to Ken (Ken Dear Managing Director) and I can honestly say I that I knew there and then what I wanted to do. I wasn't even sure whether I met their criteria and whether they would want me, let alone whether I could financially afford it, but I knew I would be good at it."

The Right at Home Franchise discovery days are friendly and informal, but they are designed to give the company and the attendees a chance to really show their cards.

Joe Continues:

"I immediately sensed the passion Ken held for the Right at Home Franchise business. I was engulfed in excitement and the more Ken spoke, the more it appealed to me. I wanted to be a part of this exciting project but understood that the Right at Home team were only looking for the very best candidates to become franchisees, and with no previous home care experience and the fact that is a serious financial investment, I did start to consider whether this would happen for me."

Joe had a lot to prove to Ken and the team and would have to make several trips back to see them, produce a fantastic business plan and prepare himself to raise the finance to acquire his dream franchise.

"The Right at Home Franchise team helped me a great deal with producing an outstanding business plan, but only to a certain point as they want to see that you are actually capable of running this kind of franchise business by unaided. I had to be confident that I truly did believe that I could do this too, because obviously the bank don't lend you all the money for the franchise. I invested every penny I had to start the business, which is not something I would have done if I had any doubts I could make it work!"

It's fair to say that the bank believed in Joe as much as Ken did, as Joe was able to raise the finance required and he became the very proud owner of the Right at Home franchise for Cardiff.

With it being three years in existence, I think it's safe to judge whether or not it was the right decision for Joe to purchase the Right at Home franchise. During his first 3 years Joe has built an annual turnover approaching £2million and he became the first Right at Home UK franchisee to take on a full territory franchise, moving into Newport in 214. Based on that, I think you could say it was the right decision to leave the police force.

Where does Joe go from here?

" I can see a bright future between myself and the Right at Home Franchise. I'm only in my thirties and I can see myself owning maybe 3 or 4 Right at Home franchise territories. During my time as a Right at Home franchisee I've managed to put an incredible team together and the support I receive from the Head Office franchise team is just as good as it was at the start. Don't get me wrong, I can have days that are stressful; people really rely on the services we are providing and we can't ever let them down. I know this may come across as being cheesy, but I really do take so much pride in the fact that what we do really matters to our clients and their failies".

Before we left, we asked Joe one last question. Would you recommend Right at Home to other people considering a franchise in the home care sector?

And Joe's response was:

"I would 100% recommend the Right at Home Franchise! The whole team have been brilliant for me, I couldn't have asked for more. Anyone seeking to come into this sector must realise that it is hard work and it's a serious commitment. You feel as if you've done the hard part when they say 'yes you can have the franchise' but it's only just the beginning! If you hold a real passion for this sector and this type of work, makring a difference, raising the standard, providing the highest standard of care possible, finding the best staff, working really hard - if that's you then absolutely, go for it, give them a call. It's the best call I ever made!"

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