COULD you run a business (Daily Mail franchise news)

COULD you run a business

COULD you run a business with your spouse? You may shudder at the prospect, but many couples go into business together and make it work.

'We've been in business together for 12 years and it has worked fine,' says Janie Drury.

Janie and husband Martin (pictured) are franchisees with signs company Fastsigns in Birmingham. Janie, 53, says: 'Fastsigns gave us psychometric tests to evaluate our personalities and working styles, and advised us how to get the best out of each other.' Martin, 56, says: 'It helps that we have complementary skills.

I'm more technical, while Janie is happier doing administration and sales.' Garth Allison of Fastsigns, who is looking for more franchisees with £40,000 to invest, says: 'We give all new franchisees psychometric tests. It helps to know your strengths and weaknesses, and those of a business partner.' Lynne Lister, of the £24,500 X-Press Legal Services franchise, says: 'Couples generally enjoy working together.

'It keeps overheads low in the early days and delays the time when another person needs to be brought in.' Christine Sykes, who runs a Mail Boxes Etc franchise with husband Russell in Portsmouth, says: 'We'd always said previously "I wouldn't want to work with you", but we love it.' Russell says: 'We both know what's going on in the business.' Mail Boxes Etc franchises cost £60,000.

New franchise ERA Healthcare also welcomes couples. It involves running a recruitment agency providing health and care staff and costs £20,000 to £25,000.

Fastsigns franchise information, X-Press Legal Services 01925 577 377, MBE 0800 694 2026, ERA Healthcare 01903 216 868