Amy has held the Pass the Keys franchise in the city of Portsmouth since February and has watched her business grow from strength to strength despite the unprecedented challenges of 2021.

Amy now manages properties across the city and is looking forward to expanding her portfolio in the coming year.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and what you were doing prior to buying a franchise business?

I was working for a company that ran franchised restaurants so was familiar with the franchise model and the reality of it. I was running a large part of the business and was acting like the franchisee so thought it was time to actually become one myself.

Can you also tell us about the franchise you have bought?

Pass the Keys is a short let management agency franchise that offers a fully managed service for homeowners who wish to advertise their property on websites such as Airbnb, but don’t want any of the hassle that accompanies short letting.

Why did you go down the franchise route? What made you choose your industry? And why did you choose your franchise?

I have seen first-hand the success of the Pass the Keys franchise model and I wanted to run a business with a higher chance of success with a tried and tested formula. Property had always been my side hustle and have hosted on Airbnb before, so this combination was perfect for me.

How did you raise the finance?

I already had the cash available from the sale of previous properties. A Pass the Keys Franchise has a relatively low initial investment cost which also made it very attractive.

What training and support did you receive initially and ongoing?There was a short intensive virtual training week to get you started and access to a comprehensive Learning Management System which is available online 24/7. Following this, you have a monthly meeting with your Partner Manager who is your ‘go to’ for any issues and ongoing support as well as a supportive and welcoming community of franchise owners who are keen to support you.

How would you describe your day-to-day role as a franchisee?

It’s an extremely varied role, as you are running every aspect of the business there is nothing that you won’t get involved in. Sales and marketing are key aspects of the business and this can involve anything from chasing up leads to general canvassing. Then there is the operational aspect which involves visiting live properties, onboarding new properties and managing the unit to ensure your cleaning teams have everything they need to make the whole operation run smoothly.

Has becoming a franchisee changed your life, if so how?

I now work entirely for myself which is a new and liberating experience. Nothing motivates you quite like it and I now feel like I am working towards building my own future which gives me a sense of satisfaction I never had before.

How do you achieve a work-life balance?

In all honesty 9 to 5 no longer exists as anyone in the hospitality industry well knows, so there are some tasks that must be done at the weekend or in the evening. But overall the flexibility it gives me during the week is invaluable as I have a young son I get to spend a lot of time with.

In your opinion, what makes a successful franchisee?

Someone who fully understands the business they are building and is willing to go that extra mile to make sure it is a success

What are your plans for the future?

I am passionate about property and can’t imagine that going away so I expect to always be heavily involved in the business. But I do plan to have an office with several staff to manage more of the day to day tasks in the future.