I Changed Careers to Run My Own Business
–Tamar’s Story
Thinking about a career change?
Changing careers is an exciting opportunity to build a future that better reflects your ambitions, values and lifestyle. While taking that first step can bring plenty of questions, it can also open the door to opportunities you may never have imagined.
Three years ago, Tamar was asking herself those very same questions. Today, she’s a successful Friends Helping at Home franchisee. We spoke to Tamar about what inspired her career change, what almost held her back, and what she’s learnt along the way.
What were you doing before Friends Helping at Home?
Tamar:
“Officially, I was a stay-at-home mum. Before that, I’d spent around seven years working in administration, including in a school. I’d often thought about running my own business, but I never had the confidence to do it alone.
That’s what appealed to me about a franchise. You’re building your own business, but you’re not starting from scratch. You have the support, guidance and experience behind you.”
“I’d always dreamed of running my own business, I just didn’t think I could do it alone.”
What made you start thinking about a career change?
Tamar:
“I started thinking more about the future. I wanted to build something that could give me flexibility while also creating long-term financial security. My goal was to create a business that could continue to grow and eventually allow me to step back while still remaining part of it.”
What was holding you back?
Tamar:
“I didn’t know where to begin. You can have an idea but knowing how to turn that into a successful business is a completely different thing.
My husband, Harvey, always believed I could do it, but believing in yourself is much harder. When I met the team at Friends Helping at Home, they believed in me too. That gave me the confidence to take the leap. Knowing they saw potential in me made all the difference.”
“Having someone believe in you can completely change what you believe is possible.”
What surprised you most about becoming a franchisee?
Tamar:
“The support. From day one, I felt trusted and encouraged. They didn’t just tell me how to run my business, they listened to my ideas, valued my opinions and made me feel like part of the wider Friends Helping at Home family.
Even though I had no previous experience running a business, I never felt like I was doing it on my own.”
“My ideas mattered from the very beginning.”
Looking back nearly three years later, what are you most proud of?
Tamar:
“The business has grown so much, and so have I. My circumstances have changed since I first started, and I’m now at the stage of recruiting a permanent manager. That was always part of my long-term vision.
What I’m most proud of, though, is the relationships I’ve built, with our clients, our self-employed service providers, Head Office and the wider franchise network. Knowing we’ve created something that genuinely helps people while building a successful business is incredibly rewarding.”
“The business has grown, but so have I.”
A message from Tamar
“If you’re thinking about changing careers but keep putting it off because you don’t think you have the experience or confidence, I’d encourage you to have the conversation.
I never imagined I’d own my own business but taking that first step changed everything. You don’t need to have all the answers, you just need to be willing to ask the first question.
If you’re looking for a business with purpose, support and the opportunity to build something you’re truly proud of, a Friends Helping at Home franchise could be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for.”
Could your next chapter start today? Explore franchise opportunities with Friends Helping at Home.
visit Friends Helping at Home Franchise or call Head Office on 0333 202 71 71.
