Throughout this series, we’ve explored why experienced HR professionals often reach a point where they start questioning what’s next, what can trigger a career rethink and what the transition from in-house HR to consultancy can really look like.
If you’ve followed that journey and found yourself drawn to the idea of consultancy, there is one final question worth considering.
How do you want to build your business?
For many HR professionals, the choice is not simply whether to move into consultancy. It is whether to build a consultancy completely independently or join an established franchise.
Both routes can lead to successful and rewarding careers. The right choice depends on your personality, priorities and what you want from the experience.
Before making any decisions, it is worth taking some time to reflect on a few key questions.
Have you really decided you want complete independence?
Many people are attracted to consultancy because of the freedom it offers.
After years of working within organisations, the idea of making your own decisions and being in control of your future can be highly appealing.
However, complete independence is not always what people imagine.
While some HR professionals thrive on building everything themselves, others discover they miss having people around them to share ideas with, discuss challenges, or simply sense-check decisions.
That doesn’t mean they are less independent. It simply means they value support alongside autonomy.
A useful question to ask yourself is whether you want complete freedom in every area of your business, or whether you would welcome guidance and support in certain areas while still remaining in control of your day-to-day work.
How much do you want to build from scratch?
One of the biggest differences between an independent consultancy and a franchise is the amount of groundwork required.
Starting independently means creating everything yourself. From branding and marketing materials to business processes, systems and supplier relationships, every decision starts with a blank page.
For some people, that is part of the appeal. They enjoy creating something entirely their own and shaping every aspect of the business.
For others, those activities can become a distraction from the work they actually enjoy most.
Think about where you want to invest your time and energy.
Would you enjoy building every element of the business yourself, or would you prefer to focus more quickly on working with clients and delivering HR support?
Neither approach is better. It is simply about understanding what motivates you.
How important is learning from other people’s experience?
One aspect of franchising that is often overlooked is access to collective experience.
When you start a business independently, much of your learning comes through trial and error. While that can be rewarding, it can also be time-consuming.
A franchise environment may provide opportunities to learn from people who have already faced similar challenges, built successful businesses and found solutions to common problems.
This does not mean every challenge disappears. Running a consultancy will always require effort, commitment and resilience.
However, it is worth considering whether you would value access to shared knowledge and a network of people who understand the journey you are on.
Ask yourself:
- Do I enjoy figuring everything out myself?
- How important is it to learn from others’ experiences?
- Would access to a network of peers help build my confidence?
Your answers may provide useful clues about which route feels most comfortable.
What kind of support would genuinely help you?
When people think about franchise support, they often focus on practical resources.
While those are important, support can take many forms.
For example:
- Business development guidance
- Marketing support
- Training and professional development
- Access to proven systems and processes
- Mentoring and coaching
- Opportunities to share ideas with other consultants
Not everyone wants or needs the same level of support.
Some people are highly self-sufficient and enjoy finding their own way. Others appreciate having experienced people available to provide guidance and challenge their thinking.
Before evaluating any franchise opportunity, think carefully about what support would genuinely help you succeed.
Are you comfortable working within a framework?
This is perhaps one of the most important questions to consider.
A franchise is not simply a support network. It is also a business model with established processes, systems and ways of working.
Many people find reassurance in that structure. It can reduce uncertainty and provide a clearer path forward.
Others prefer complete flexibility and the freedom to make every decision independently.
Neither preference is right or wrong.
The important thing is being honest about how you like to operate.
If the idea of working within an established framework feels restrictive, independence may be a better fit.
If having a proven model feels reassuring, a franchise could be worth exploring.
Thinking beyond the launch
When considering a move into consultancy, it is easy to focus on the first few months.
A more useful approach is to think about where you would like your business to be in three, five or even ten years’ time.
What kind of business are you trying to build?
What level of income, flexibility and personal satisfaction are you hoping to achieve?
How much support would you want as your business grows?
Looking beyond the initial transition can often bring greater clarity to the decision.
Choosing the route that fits you
An HR consultancy career change is a significant step, and there is no single route that suits everyone.
Some HR professionals thrive when building a business entirely on their own. Others value the support, structure and shared experience that a franchise can provide.
The most important thing is not choosing the route that works for someone else. It is choosing the route that aligns with your goals, your working style and the future you want to create.
If you would like to explore whether an HR consultancy franchise could support your HR consultancy career change, download our prospectus or get in touch for an informal conversation. We’d be happy to help you explore the options and decide whether it could be the right fit for you.