Become a Franchisee
Paws to consider your future - Read more...
Become a Franchisee
Paws to consider your future….
Barking Mad is a dynamic, challenging and rewarding home based business in the fast growing pet care sector.
Being a Barking Mad Franchisee is all about setting up, developing and managing a successful business whilst improving your lifestyle.
When it comes to supporting franchisees, this is the area in which we excel. We have over 60 branches successfully operating across the UK , who all agree it’s a great way to make a living!
Success Stories
If you’re looking for a complete lifestyle change, this is how you do it - Read more...
Success Stories
Is Barking Mad right for me?
Everyone’s personal circumstances are different, and you will see from the case studies that there are a number of different approaches to running this business.
It does require your full time commitment, although equally Barking Mad provides flexibility and the ability to manage your own time.
We hope you enjoy reading our success stories and that they will encourage you to believe in yourself and do something you’ll really enjoy!
Investment
THE PROSPECTIVE REWARDS
Rather than set out theoretical projections, in line with best franchising practice we prefer to relate to actual track record and we will discuss this with you at our initial meeting.
In pursuing your interest in becoming a Barking Mad Franchisee, we will make available to you in confidence further detailed financial information, based on up-to-date trading performance, to assist with your business plan.
You also need a suitable silver vehicle, a personal computer dedicated for business use and basic equipment for your office-at-home. You should also consider provision for working capital, according to your circumstances - please discuss this aspect with us.
Shirley Rands Case Study
In the spring of 2010 I was looking for dog care for a weekend in July that I would be away. My problem was that my Westie, Deefer, was on medication which he takes in his food and I knew I couldn’t leave him with kennels as I was unsure if he would receive the care and medication he needed, or in case he didn’t eat his meals. He has Addisons disease and ideally needs to be kept stress free. This is another reason why kennels weren’t appropriate for him.
My mum had seen a programme on TV where Barking Mad was featured. She mentioned it to me as it offered a personal one to one care where Deefer would be looked after in someone else’s home, great! This was just what I needed and I went straight on their website for more information. I had a flick around the pages, reading all about the service and thought this was perfect. Deefer stayed with a host for 2 nights and came home all excited like he’d had his own holiday!
At this time I was working as a local branch manager with a major high street bank and was now in my 20th year of my career. 2010 was a very tough year and after being in the same position for 5 years, and prompted by the “want everything yesterday” mind-set of the bank, I was ready for a change. But what? I chose banking as a career whilst at school and started working in banking at 16. I didn’t know what else I could do. I really fancied running my own business but had no experience of anything else but banking, and I couldn’t exactly start my own bank! I enjoyed meeting and helping people and my management experience gave me the chance to organise and problem solve, but where else could I use these skills?
Whilst I was on the Barking Mad website I saw the franchise tab and read about how I could join Barking Mad and run my own business. This was a very exciting prospect and it really captured my imagination immediately. I read on and ended up sending off for a franchise pack for more information. I became really excited and realised it ticked all my boxes. I could be my own boss, I would still be meeting and helping people. It also gave me the opportunity to not be stuck in a stuffy office 9-5 and working from home would be great for Deefer as well.
I spoke to my partner and parents to get their thoughts, as leaving what could be considered a secure job was going to be a gamble. I didn’t know how quickly things would work as there was no guaranteed income. I called Barking Mad and spoke at length about the process and how others manage. They were very helpful and it still sounded the right thing for me to do. I also investigated other similar franchises and the BFA (British Franchise Association) website and magazines, but Barking Mad stood out as the most professional yet friendly and welcoming. I read books on running my own business, spoke to vets and groomers in the area and as I grew up with dogs and was potty about them as well, I just had to investigate this opportunity further.
In June I arranged a meeting with Lee Dancy, Managing Director of Barking Mad, where we went into a lot more detail about the company and how I’d fit in to its model. Lee and everyone at Head Office were so inviting and helpful I felt part of the team already. I had the opportunity to talk to other franchisees who shared their experiences and thoughts with me and I still came to the same conclusion, go for it! This now wasn’t just something I wanted to do. It became something I had to do. It definitely ticked all my boxes, and more, from then on it was all I could think about. It was a tough couple of months that followed and I was chomping at the bit to get going.
My initial training took place in September for 4 days, where Lee and the team helped with my office set up and showed me how to get the most out of my new business, then I was off! They supplied me with my initial stationery and corporate wear, arranged press releases and adverts in the local papers and magazines, and generally helped me set up and move my business forward from day 1, and they were always on hand and willing to help if needed.
A few months on and from my own experience as a customer this has grown to be the best thing for me .... and Deefer! I am out and about most days, still promoting the service in the area, and have exceeded everyone’s expectations, including my own. I hit the ground running and underestimated how popular this service was in the area. I am looking forward to a very busy, yet enjoyable future with Barking Mad where I aim to grow my business year on year and achieve my goals, both personal and business, whilst still providing the best care for my customers dogs’. This is the best thing I have done in a long while and although some people thought I was the one who was Barking Mad, I definitely made the right life changing decision.