Deciding to run your own show is an exciting prospect for many HR professionals. The idea of calling the shots, working with clients you choose, and building something of your own is hugely appealing. But there’s another side to it too. Going independent can feel daunting: worries about whether you’ll find enough clients, how you’ll manage the business side, or whether you’ll feel isolated without a team around you.
That’s where joining an HR franchise can make all the difference. With the right balance of independence and support, you can enjoy the freedom of self-employment without the loneliness or uncertainty that sometimes comes with it. At face2faceHR, our consultants have the reassurance of a trusted brand, proven systems, and a network of peers behind them. Jane Fryatt’s story is a great example of how that support works in practice.
Looking back at this month’s journey
Throughout September we’ve been exploring what it really takes to make the leap into consultancy.
- In week one, we asked four key questions to help you decide if now is the right time to start your own HR consultancy.
- In week two, we looked at the qualities that make a consultant thrive when becoming an HR consultant – and discovered that success is as much about mindset and people skills as it is about experience.
- In week three, we focused on what it means to step fully into the role of an HR consultancy business owner, and how every decision, from pricing to hiring, shapes your journey.
- Last week, we explored how to set up an HR consultancy with a long-term, strategic mindset, rather than getting stuck in reaction mode.
All of these themes lead naturally to today’s question: how do you bring it all together and give yourself the best chance of success when you take the leap? That’s where the support of an HR franchise can play a transformative role.
The reality of going solo
Lots of HR professionals toy with the idea of consultancy, especially after years of corporate life. But while the thought of setting your own direction is liberating, the practical questions can hold you back.
- What if I can’t attract enough clients?
- What if I get stuck on the business side, like pricing or marketing?
- What if I end up on my own with no one to bounce ideas off?
These aren’t small worries; they’re real challenges that can make the difference between success and struggle. And they’re exactly the kind of questions we designed the HR franchise model to help answer.
What support does an HR franchise provide?
When you join face2faceHR, you’re not left to figure things out by trial and error. You immediately gain access to tools, training, and people who’ve been where you are now. Some of the key support elements include:
- A proven marketing model: Many new consultants worry about where the work will come from. Our marketing approach, tested across multiple locations, takes the guesswork out of business development. Jane admits she once doubted it herself: “I thought it wasn’t working and Eleanor kept saying, ‘just keep with it.’ She was right. It works; we’re often just too impatient.”
- Professional resources and templates: From contracts and policies to proposal packs, you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. These resources help you present yourself with credibility from day one.
- Peer collaboration: An HR franchise isn’t just a head office plus individual consultants. It’s a community. Our consultants regularly share referrals, co-deliver projects, and swap practical tips. Jane, for example, works closely with another partner who manages some of her clients in a specialist area, proving the value of collaboration over competition.
- Mentoring and guidance: Whether it’s from head office or from consultants who’ve been through the same journey, you always have someone to talk to. As Jane says: “One of the major benefits of being part of something bigger is being able to pick up the phone and have a conversation with someone who really understands your challenges and empathises.”
Jane’s experience: building with confidence
When Jane launched her Abingdon consultancy in 2018, she knew HR inside out but had never run a business before. Choosing the HR franchise route gave her confidence to focus on what she was best at, while steadily learning the ropes of business ownership.
The early days weren’t always easy. It took her what felt like a long time to secure her first retainer client. But she stuck with the marketing model, leaned on peer support, and slowly built her reputation locally. Seven years later, that same client is still with her, and her business has grown to a portfolio of more than 50 regular clients.
Along the way she has:
- Hired three HR specialists and a virtual assistant to expand capacity.
- Diversified services into areas like mediation and line manager development.
- Achieved a client Net Promoter Score of +100.
- Built strong relationships across her local business community.
And crucially, she has done all this while maintaining the work-life balance she wanted when she first stepped away from employment.
Why choose an HR franchise instead of going it alone?
It’s a fair question: if you’re confident in your HR expertise, why join a franchise instead of setting up independently?
Here’s what makes the difference:
- Faster start-up: you avoid months of trial and error with marketing, branding, and systems because the groundwork is already in place.
- Shared experience: when you hit a challenge, you’re not stuck Googling in isolation. You have peers who’ve already solved it.
- Brand credibility: clients trust that you’re part of something established, with standards and processes behind you.
- Ongoing evolution: as HR trends and client needs change, the franchise adapts, and you benefit from shared innovation rather than having to keep up alone.
For Jane, the support wasn’t about giving up independence, but about multiplying her chances of success. “I wouldn’t be here without it,” she reflects. “It has kept me focussed, given me structure and processes, and provides a sounding board.”
The best of both worlds
Running your own consultancy does mean freedom: you choose your clients, your working hours, and your priorities. But it doesn’t have to mean being cut off or taking unnecessary risks.
The HR franchise model gives you:
- Autonomy to shape your career and lifestyle.
- Support through proven systems and expert guidance.
- Community with people who celebrate your wins and understand your challenges.
That combination is what gives many HR consultants the confidence to finally take the leap.
Final thought
Starting your own business is a bold step. But bold doesn’t have to mean risky. As Jane’s journey shows, the right support structure can help you build not just a business, but a long-term career that’s profitable, rewarding, and sustainable.
So if you’re ready to run your own show, remember you don’t have to do it all on your own.
Joining an HR franchise could give you the freedom to run your own business, with the reassurance of proven systems and a supportive network. If you’d like to learn more, you can download our prospectus or get in touch today.