Owning a business is something many dream of but it’s one risky endeavour. However, being backed by an experienced team and proven model prevents all the classic pitfalls.

Ask adults what their life goals are and you don’t have to wait long to hear ‘I want to work for myself,’ ‘My boss makes my life miserable – I want to build my own business’ and ‘My dream is to be in charge.’

There’s something in many of us which longs to run the show, to make a difference and not dance to someone else’s tune but instead the beat of our own drum.

After all, pursuing the perfect work-life balance is important and a huge driver for most deciding to open their own business. And choosing to lose the certainty of a monthly pay packet is recompensed by the ability to have flexibility and be the masters of our destinies.

Yet, running a small business can be a lonely affair. When the internet fails, there isn’t an IT department to rely on. When the client delays payment beyond their due date, the option of picking up the phone to the accounts department to chase it isn’t there. If the product being sold is imperfect, there isn’t a team to take care of it. The responsibility sits firmly on the shoulders of the business owner, who needs to put in the hours and do whatever it takes to keep the business functioning and thriving – or at the very least, surviving.

This is one of the key reasons thousands choose to run franchised businesses in the UK. Franchising allows motivated individuals to run the show with crucial backup from the franchise’s proven business model. Initial training, an operations manual, ongoing professional development, support from a dedicated franchise manager for the duration of the franchise term, comradeship from fellow franchisees, branding and publicity already developed and invested in, national advertising – the list of advantages from joining a reputable network is long.

Some franchises go even further. At Promedica24, a leading provider of live-in care for elderly and vulnerable adults, for instance, the vast majority of service provisions are taken care of for franchisees. The CQC Registration – the industry’s main regulator – the recruitment and management of care staff and the finance functions are provided by head office. This frees franchisees to focus on finding new customers and growing their business by using the tried and tested techniques taught in training.

Such a close partnership between franchisor and franchisee facilitates quick business growth and makes the business very accessible to individuals from all walks of life. Franchisees are working for themselves and building their own businesses but with huge operational backup, which takes away many of the challenges of running a small business. Although they’re working for themselves, they’re certainly not by themselves.

Working for yourself can indeed deliver the benefits of being in charge and achieving that feeling as a franchisee gives you the best of both worlds. So, who’s beat do you want to dance to?