Q&A with Caremark franchise owner Naz Asghar

Q: Where did you pick up your copy of The Franchise Magazine?
Naz: From my local newsagent, just before my first meeting with Caremark in March 2009.

Q: What made the Caremark franchise stand out?
Naz: I carried out a vast amount of research including looking at the Caremark website and researching and meeting with other franchises in this sector and I felt it to be a recession proof industry where, with the correct support from the franchisor, I could launch and develop a viable and rewarding business in a relatively short space of time. The management staff are extremely helpful, supportive and professional and this was the reason why I chose Caremark over the competitors in this sector.

Q: How did you get in touch with the brand?
Naz:I requested information from all sources and arranged a meeting with Kevin Lewis, the Managing Director of Caremark, to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the franchise and business. The franchise opportunity was presented to me in a professional manner and I was able to receive honest and open answers to all my questions.

Q: What was your initial impression of the Caremark management team?
Naz:The passion and drive that Kevin had for the company and his ambition to deliver a standard of care above and beyond other companies were the major factors, which cemented my decision to choose the Caremark franchise.

Q. What territory do you own?
Naz:I own the Stockport territory and am currently operating in the Stockport and Cheshire East areas.

Q: What was your previous occupation and was it easy to make the transition to franchise owner?
Naz: The transition to franchise owner was relatively simple for me due to my vast work experience in several sectors including working as a property consultant for the 10 years prior to launching my Caremark franchise. However, the support of Caremark has made it easy to develop further essential skills in running a domiciliary care business.

Q: What do you enjoy most about being your own boss?
Naz:The flexibility and ability to make the decisions, which will ultimately affect the growth and development of the business and the opportunity to really help clients who require support.

Q: What are your interests outside of running your business?
Naz: I have a young family to look after and so do not have a great deal of spare time but enjoy socialising with friends and family and try to keep fit whenever possible. Q: Why did you decide to become your own boss?
Naz:To establish and grow a rewarding business in a vast sector and, ultimately, have flexibility in the running of the service but with the view to providing a high quality of care to clients.

Q: How do you intend to reward yourself?
Naz:This is not something I have thought too much about but to provide a comfortable and secure future to my family would be reward enough and maybe a nice car and some good holidays along the way.

Q: What three qualities do you think you need to be successful in business?
Naz: Focus, determination and sheer hard work! If you really set your mind on something and even in a different field from what you are accustomed then you can achieve your goals and ambitions with the correct support.