Musician Steph worked full time in a creative but crazy industry and wanted to put her self-promotion skills to use in a business that would give her a better work life balance. With wife Lydia who has also owned her own business, the couple felt that a franchise offered the perfect solution for success.
Meet Steph…
Why did you choose a franchise over setting up your own business?
It was important for me to choose a good franchise, rather than setting up my own business. I have already done that once, and the amount of time, effort and hard work needed in the first couple of years is really a lot. I’m not interested in doing that again. I wanted to almost kick start into a viable business with a powerful infrastructure if I was ever going to set up a business again. This sets us apart from the lone dog walkers around us immediately.
What did the word ‘franchise’ mean to you before you came across We Love Pets?
McDonalds!! I had been looking at franchises. Rock Climbing, Food and Drink, etc, so before I found We Love Pets, ‘Franchise’ meant expensive and risky.
How have We Love Pets made sure you’re the right person to carry the award-winning brand forward?
It wasn’t just an overnight ‘yes’ from Jo and Ryan. I spoke with Tracey from Reading, who I think essentially vetted me, and then eventually a few phone calls and Zooms. We went over everything, and I think it boiled down to me understanding that WLP will be as good as the amount I am willing to put in. Once they knew that I was on the same business page as them, and that I’m a trainable asset, then we signed!
Do you have any pets of your own?
No, but I am Auntie to the same as Liddy below. This avenue may satisfy my desire for a dog, but our living situation and also, my job, made it slightly impossible to be a responsible pet owner.
What do you love most about High Wycombe?
High Wycombe is a hub, for music, friends, good stout and good people. It’s got such a great community and the wide open spaces are just everywhere.
What have you done in the past that you think will help you in your new venture?
My full time job was as a musician. So many elements of that are transferable. Booking, info, arranging other people, event organisation, putting in the work without the immediate payout. Keeping up my reputation and growing my business to be a popular choice for people looking for high end entertainment.
I work hard. All the time. Weekends don’t mean the same thing to me as usual 9-5’ers so I will constantly be available and willing to talk to customers. In the beginning this will be a great asset, but I hope to ease that down after we have hit successful heights and then continue to work smart.
What does running a business like this mean to you?
Another chance at a viable retirement, pension, and the ability to start balancing my life out. I worked my hardest year before Covid hit, it was my most profitable, and other than working 7 days a week every week, the only step up from that was creating a Music Agency or something similar. This isn’t a fulfilling avenue for me. The industry is a bit insane and so We Love Pets might have a different kind of insanity that I can work with!
I will also be able to focus on original music as a passion and not as an afterthought…and on that note, follow my music journey on social media!
- https://www.facebook.com/StephWillisUK/
- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbeH5kQHcI0u37nv3FyFuBA
- https://open.spotify.com/artist/7t0e3ClfAPdvdbjDsuv15s?si=ocZJZy-kT5G-K4m69U9y5Q
Hello Lydia…
Why did you choose a franchise over setting up your own business?
I chose to be part of the we love pets franchise because I wanted to feel like I was a part of something bigger than just myself and a part of a family.
What did the word ‘franchise’ mean to you before you came across We Love Pets?
I thought of it as a big company that people can buy into and place themselves anywhere around the UK.
How have We Love Pets made sure you’re the right person to carry the award-winning brand forward?
The initial contact was through Steph via phone calls, Zooms and emails. The discussions whittled down that we would be a great fit for We Love Pets.
Do you have any pets of your own?
I am the Auntie of a Cockapoo called Lulu, a Red Setter/Spaniel called Myrtle, and a Cavapoo called Maggie. So whilst I don’t own my own pets I have a lot of interaction with my own family, and consider Lulu a therapy dog!
What do you love most about High Wycombe?
I love that it’s got the best of everything! But mostly its surroundings are rolling countryside, and I love how close that is.
What have you done in the past that you think will help you in your new venture?
I’ve started my own sports team in High Wycombe, which meant dealing with a lot of people’s expectations, and I’ve stared my own self employed business, making sure what I was offering is a top service. I’m not afraid to start new things and I have patience to wait whilst things grow.
What does running a business like this mean to you?
It means designing your own hours, having a great team around you that you have sourced yourself, and being a part of a community.
