'From secretary to Plumplanet franchisor - with a lot of hard work!'-article written for Women and Franchising by Whichfranchise.com

To build and run Plumplanet franchise has taken a lot of hard work and some knocks along the way. It has not always been easy!

I turn 50 this year, and have worked hard my whole life since leaving college. Leaving college with only 5 GCSEs in those days meant I could either become a nurse, housewife or secretary, I chose the latter.

I worked in a number of secretarial posts, including one in a large manufacturing company. At the age of 23 I decided that paying rent to get some one else rich was doing nothing for me, so I purchased a studio flat. I was made redundant the next day!

To supplement my lack of income, I joined forces with a solo singing artist, and started literally singing for my supper!

The caretaker of my new flats then told me about a new software company that was potentially looking for administration workers. I approached them and started shortly after as a secretary. Whilst in the job, I was intrigued by the job of the salesmen. Watching them I felt I could do their job easily so I asked for the chance to do more, and it was granted.

My initial sales areas were tough as the company had no penetration in them i.e. Dublin and Scotland. I finally got to work in the London area with major blue chip organisations and banks such as Bank of England, NatWest, Lloyds Bank etc.

I was the only women working in this industry, and I loved that part of it. It was working here that I also met my husband.

Just as things were going well for me, I got an injury to my back which paralysed me for 3 months. After I recovered, I got a new job in a software company as the branch manager of a branch that was turning over £3 million.

Then disaster struck again, the company collapsed overnight putting 350 people out of work. This led to myself and two colleagues setting up a company called Oaktree Software; we turned over £¼ million in our first year. The partners in the firm had families to feed and were taking too much out of the company, so I left to start something new as I knew the company would never be allowed to grow to its full potential.

In 1993 I got married, and in 1994 we had our daughter. I was still keen to work but wanted to do something that allowed me to work around my daughter.

One day a friend asked my advice on a computer course he had been recommended to invest £500 in. It was completely over the top for what he needed so I spent some time talking him through what he did need, based on all my previous experience in using them for work. As it seemed to help him, he suggested that I should start a business teaching people how to use the computer.

In 1994 I started Keystroke Associates. I took a teaching qualification as well as a one day a week Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) for 2 years.

To widen keystroke’s exposure I took on self-employed trainers; all of whom are still doing well and enjoying the flexibility and independence that the job offers.

We also all enjoy the troubleshooting aspect of our job because you are learning new things all the time as technology changes almost by the hour. We have exceptional relationships with our client base as it is such a personable business and your clients almost become friends.

Because of the success of the trainers working locally, my husband suggested franchising out our business. We created a Ltd company under the name of Plumplanet; formed from “plum” my nickname, which also means desirable and “planet” because we want the world to be part of our franchise.

I decided to franchise because I wanted to give other people the thrill of running their own organisation just like I have, but with the added bonus of support all the way. I also wanted to see Plumplanet’s name around the country.

It has been tough at times. I’ve lost a long term friend in creating the franchise and I have met sceptics and disbelievers, but I believe in the service we offer and the way we offer it. We want other people to enjoy the fantastic feeling you create for yourself being your own BOSS.

My vision is to create a business that is known throughout the UK and to see our company name outside a number of office blocks. I want to see people grow and develop with their business as I have, and to feel that marvellous sense of achievement.

All my life I have been presented with opportunity, my advice to anyone is to grab it with both hands and never look back.