Bluebird Care

Liam Jones-Davies

One Year On: Liam’s Journey with Bluebird Care

Twelve months ago, Liam Jones-Davies took a leap into the world of franchising-leaving behind a business development career to become the owner of a Bluebird Care home care franchise. Today, his story provides compelling reading for anyone considering a franchise, especially those still weighing up their industry options.

Liam was already aware of franchising as a business model before discovering Bluebird Care and had even contemplated started a brand-new business from scratch. “But after speaking with finance brokers, it became clear they were far more willing to lend if I went down the franchising route.”, says Liam.

Investigating the different sectors, Liam adds how three things made the care industry an obvious choice: “It’s a business built around people and relationships, real potential to scale, and the demand for care is only increasing.”

Why Bluebird Care?

For Liam, the decision to join Bluebird Care was rooted in both practical and personal motivations. “Bluebird Care stood out as one of the most established [over 20 years] home care brands, offering comprehensive operational, training, and marketing support,” he explains. The franchise’s broad range of services-from live-in care and complex care to respite and children’s support-gave him confidence in the business scalability and ability to meet the diverse nature of their customer needs.

With no prior experience in the care sector, Liam’s background in business development proved invaluable. His transferable skills in strategic growth, stakeholder engagement, and relationship-building seamlessly translated to forging partnerships with local authorities, healthcare professionals, and customers’ families.

Liam’s onboarding experience with Bluebird Care was, in his words, “outstanding.” Guided by a dedicated team-including an Onboarding Manager, Business Development Manager, Marketing Manager, and Quality Manager-he felt supported from day one. “Their structured training modules and open-door policy meant I understood every aspect of the business straight away,” he recalls.

Liam’s first year has seen remarkable growth, doubling both the hours of care delivered and monthly revenue. With franchisor support, he found diversifying services was key. This not only met a wider range of customer needs but also attracted new talent which enriched the culture of the business.

Having leveraging finance from Bluebird Care’s banking partners, Liam recovered his initial deposit within the first year-surpassing his own projections. “This early return affirmed the robustness of the franchise model,” he notes.

Personally, the journey prompted a relocation and, following a successful first year, Liam’s partner has joined the business as well. “Whilst the hours can be long, the sense of ownership and the direct impact we make on customers’ lives is deeply fulfilling,” he reflects.

For those considering a home care franchise, Liam’s advice is clear: “Do your homework. Speak with Bluebird Care’s corporate team and connect with existing franchisees to ensure the brand’s values align with your ambitions.”

With a second territory signed and ambitious plans for further expansion, Liam’s journey with Bluebird Care demonstrates the power of combining entrepreneurial drive with a passion for supporting your local community. For those considering franchising, his story is proof that the right support, a willingness to embrace change, and a commitment to quality can turn a new venture into a thriving, meaningful business.

Onker Bhart

Keeping it in the family

For Onker Bhart and his family, running a home care franchise with Bluebird Care isn’t just about business – it’s personal. Their journey began when Onker’s father tragically passed away from sepsis – something that could have been caught early if the care provider had attended as expected. “That experience made it clear just how vital dependable, high-quality care is,” Onker says. It became the driving force behind launching Bluebird Care Inverclyde & Renfrewshire, soon followed by Bluebird Care Glasgow South.

Why home care? For the family, the answer is simple: home is where people feel safest and most themselves. “Bluebird Care shared that belief, with a reputation for excellence, compassion and professionalism,” Onker explains. “Franchising with Bluebird Care, gave us the tools and structure to deliver the standard of care I wished my father had received.”

From the beginning, family has been at the heart of the business. Onker leads as Managing Director, wife Jas supports as a director across the board, and their son Saran heads up Operations, overseeing finance, HR and marketing. Even their niece Soniya and another son Karan are now part of the team. “This isn’t just a job for us; it’s a shared mission,” Onker says. Together, their diverse strengths ensure the business always upholds their values and standards.

The benefits of working as a family include: trust, shared accountability, and swift, united decision-making. “We’re genuinely in it together. We know why we’re doing this, and we support each other in doing it well,” says Onker.

What was initial training and support like? “From day one, we had access to robust training across operations, compliance, marketing and care quality,” they recall. Standout moments are plentiful as well, like the time a customer’s daughter said, “Mum is herself again.” That, for the family, is what this business is all about – restoring joy and dignity.

Running a care business comes with challenges, but for Onker, “every issue is an opportunity to learn and improve. The Bluebird Care network and head office team have always been there to help us navigate those moments.” Their advice for others? “Lead with heart. Bluebird Care gives you the support – you bring the passion.”

Looking ahead, the Bharts are keen to expand their impact, helping even more families enjoy quality care and independence at home. “We’ll keep evolving but never lose sight of what matters most: people,” Onker concludes.