January 6, 2025
What a year… I started with Atlas Mapping and never would have seen what happened next. Not only have I found a true passion, but I am also now in the franchise industry, all I can say is, I LOVE IT! I wanted to share some of the best moments and highlights from the year with you all.
To start the year off it was full-on learning mode. I was being taught all about the industry, Atlas Mapping and crucially territories; how to create them, what makes a good one and what the mistakes are. Learning new things has always been one of my favourite things to do and having so much to learn was a challenge I was more than ready for and excited to get stuck in.
Very quickly I had been to client meetings, training sessions and before I knew it, we were heading to Arizona, Phoenix for the IFA2024 Convention (International Franchise Association). This was the first time I was going to a convention that wasn’t a beer festival after managing pubs and bars for years. The convention was amazing, it was much bigger than I could have expected and had the added bonus of being my first time in America. This convention was such an insight into the American franchise industry and the differences across the pond.
Returning to the UK and it was time for my first BFA (British Franchise Association) event, the legalities and ethics seminar. This was another day of learning, the first chance I had to meet people in the UK franchise community and the first real insight I had into what a great community it really is.
ICAP was next, a great organisation and a truly great day. I got some true insights into the children's activity sector, the challenges they face, the great things they do and believe in and an organisation that is striving for providers to have better and do better. What came next was nerve-racking and thrilling, my first event SOLO. It was the BFA supplier and advisor forum. A day to discuss the industry and how to better the practices and share ideas to make improvements for all.
Onto the international franchise show, the first UK franchise exhibition for me, so many interesting conversations with budding franchisors and meeting some of our clients. I love meeting people in real life and catching up so this was a great opportunity. With a couple of after-parties, I really did manage to talk to so many franchise friends.
Next was a MASSIVE personal achievement, I passed my driving test! I was many years late to this party, but I am still so proud that I did it.
Attending an awards day was next, a day of fun and celebration. Stuart and I were then headed to a local secondary school for their career fair. Talking to the students about my job in a heavily male-orientated industry was brilliant, talking about SaaS and data/analysis work to try and spark ideas about this industry and show them how much opportunity there is with careers in this space. Of course, talking about franchising as an industry and business model was just as brilliant in educating more young minds about how great the industry, community and model are.
My first long car journey, driving over three hours to Manchester for the BFA Technology and Systems seminar. Once again, an event to chat with more franchise friends and learn more about some best practices and ideas for how to achieve more. The next event was just as insightful, Stuart and I headed to an ethical sales workshop. Another day of learning and reaffirming some best practices.
Yet another first, I was thrilled to have been invited and attend Right at Home’s annual conference. An incredible venue, company and network as a whole. It was a gloriously sunny day and the great conversations and people I met truly added to the entire experience. The next day it was the BFA EWiB (Empowering Women in Business). Wow, I could have never imagined how amazing an entire room of great women would be. There were brilliant speakers, the energy and atmosphere was amazing and I came away with so many takeaways to use in every aspect of my life, work and personally.
The BFA National Franchise Exhibition, what a day, I have already written about that day but I will say it again as it’s my favourite. The catch-ups and chats I had with so many franchise friends were excellent. Moving onto another big moment, EWiF (Encouraging Women in Franchising) Awards 2024 we were sponsoring again. This meant someone needed to go up and present the award with some words about why we sponsor the event, the organisation and judging the award. This was it, another MASSIVE moment, I did it! It was easy to decide what to say as EWiF is an incredible organization and all of the finalists were doing incredibly. The awards reception and event overall was wonderful and I am honoured to have been a part of something so amazing.
Nearing the end of the year, it was time for the BFA Annual Conference. I was buzzing before the event even started, excited to see franchise friends and celebrate with the community. Stuart and I set everything up the day before and thank goodness because it was a super full-on day filled with great conversations, catch-ups, the Work Buzz awards, talks and breakouts.
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