Why a Caremark franchise for this husband-and-wife team?

We talk to David and Caroline Balmer as to why they originally chose to invest in a Caremark franchise, but also as to why they are investing in a second territory. 

Caroline was already hugely experienced in the provision of care at home even before investing in her own care at home business with Husband David, as she was in an employed Care Manager role, skills she transferred straight into the business. 

So, it was a home care business they wanted, but why a Caremark franchise in particular? They did plenty of research and found the model was the best suited to what they wanted for their business, not only the extensive range of services they could provide, but also the ability to provide: “good care at a reasonable price” David explained. 

Although Caroline’s care experience was useful for them initially, she does say it was hard at first to juggle heading up the business at the same time as being Care Manager and feels much more at home now, focusing more on the financial aspects of the business while David focuses more on the operational side of things, developing the business through marketing and submitting tenders while forming relationships with the local authority, leaving their Care Manager to run the care delivery side of things. 

When reflecting on running a care at home business during Covid-19 David enthused that the constant stream of advice and guidance was invaluable to them to adjust their ways of working: “The up to date emails and information coming through from the support team really helped to keep our clients and staff safe, helping us provide the care the community needed, freeing up beds for people who were particularly afflicted with Coronavirus and helping to alleviate the pressure on the NHS.”

So, a few years down the road and the business has grown to a level where they feel the time is right to invest in another territory, a territory neighbouring their existing business in Worcester & Malvern Hills, which will be in Wychavon & Wyre Forest.

When talking of their free time, David and Caroline agree that owning a Caremark franchise gives them the flexibility to have a happy work life balance, giving Caroline time for her 3 horses and David time for the golf course. 

You don’t need to come from a care background like Caroline, as full training is given and ongoing support is provided through a network of Regional Support Managers and Head Office Support Team.