If you’ve followed our July series, you’ve probably started to reflect on what you really want from your HR career – not just in terms of job title or salary, but how your work fits into your life. We’ve talked about flexibility, rethinking traditional success, and how energising work is possible – and essential – in senior HR careers.
Now it’s time to bring those ideas together.
This final article in the series is all about turning thought into action and how the face2faceHR franchise model can support you in creating a life-friendly HR career that’s not only sustainable and values-led, but energising and rewarding – both personally and professionally.
What does a life-friendly HR career actually mean?
Let’s be clear – a life-friendly HR career doesn’t mean slowing down or giving up on ambition. It’s about building a career that fits with your whole life, not just your work life.
A life-friendly career in HR might include:
- Having the flexibility to pick up the kids from school without diary stress
- Earning well without working 60+ hour weeks
- Spending your energy on meaningful work, not office politics
- Building deep, long-term client relationships
- Choosing your clients and work patterns to reflect your values
It’s a career that reflects the you, you are now – with different goals, responsibilities, and priorities than when you first stepped into HR.
Why making the change can feel daunting
It’s one thing to want a better work-life blend – and another to know how to make it happen. Many senior HR professionals we speak to say they’ve felt stuck between craving change and not knowing what change would actually look like.
Common concerns include:
- “How will I find clients if I go solo?”
- “I’ve always worked in-house – do I know how to run a business?”
- “What if I miss the team and the support network?”
- “How do I balance flexibility with financial security?”
These are all valid questions. That’s why having structure, support, and community – like the kind offered by a franchise model – can make a huge difference.
How face2faceHR supports your life-friendly HR career
At face2faceHR, we’ve built our franchise model specifically to help experienced HR professionals create thriving consultancies without sacrificing work-life balance, energy, or purpose.
Here’s how our approach supports every pillar of a life-friendly HR career:
1. Freedom with a foundation
You’re in charge of your business – your hours, your clients, your pricing. But you’re not starting with a blank page.
We provide a proven framework that includes:
- HR templates and tools tailored for SME clients
- Guidance on service delivery, pricing, and onboarding
- Marketing materials and content
- Established brand recognition that opens doors
This foundation allows you to get up and running quickly and confidently, without spending months trying to “figure it all out”.
2. Support that feels like a team (but without the politics)
One of the biggest adjustments when leaving a corporate HR role is losing the team environment. At face2faceHR, you’re never alone – you join a vibrant community of like-minded professionals who are running their own businesses too.
Our franchisees benefit from:
- A dedicated head office team who are there to support you
- Regular contact with other consultants
- Training, webinars, and personal development opportunities
- A culture of encouragement, not competition
That sense of connection helps maintain momentum, motivation, and a sense of belonging – all crucial for protecting your energy.
3. Marketing help that actually gets results
Many consultants say their biggest fear before launching was: how will I find clients?
That’s why we take marketing seriously. As part of the face2faceHR franchise, you’ll receive:
- A personalised webpage as part of our established brand
- Ready-made marketing content and campaigns
- Social media support and guidance
- Advice on building local visibility
All of this means you can focus on the work you love – and still grow a successful business.
4. Training that grows with you
Your learning doesn’t stop when you launch. Our franchisees have access to a range of development opportunities that continue after the initial set-up.
This includes:
- Practical business training
- Refreshers in key employment law and HR practices
- Ongoing coaching and mentoring
- Peer-to-peer knowledge sharing
This kind of structured, ongoing learning helps you feel confident and capable – especially if you’re coming from a corporate background and stepping into something new.
5. A model that works around your life, not against it
Our franchisees work in different ways – part-time, four days a week, or full-time but flexibly. While there’s plenty of freedom to shape your schedule, it’s important to be accessible to clients during core hours or able to respond promptly when needed.
And when life changes – as it inevitably does – your consultancy can flex with it. Whether you want to grow, scale back, or pivot, the model is built to support those choices.
That’s what makes it truly life-friendly.
Real stories, real success
Some of our consultants joined face2faceHR after stepping away from senior HR roles to prioritise family. Others were looking for better balance after burnout or redundancy. Some simply wanted to do meaningful HR work in a way that felt more human.
What they all found in common was a structure that gave them freedom and support – and a new definition of success that worked for them.
“I love that I can do the school run, work with great clients, and still feel like I’m progressing in my career. I’m working in a way that energises me, not exhausts me.”
Could this be your next step?
You don’t have to jump into a life-friendly HR career without support. And you don’t have to settle for a role that no longer fits your life.
If you’re ready to take control of your time, your energy, and your direction – without losing the professional impact you’ve worked so hard for – the face2faceHR franchise could be a great fit.
Download our prospectus for a full overview of how the face2faceHR model works, or get in touch for an informal conversation about whether this is your next chapter.