Betting on success: Chris and Lynn’s franchise journey with Visiting Angels
Chris James and his wife Lynn came from very different professional worlds. Lynn’s background was as a mental health and community nurse, having worked in Alzheimer’s care for 35 years. Meanwhile, Chris’s career was firmly rooted in the football betting industry.
Despite their contrasting careers, Chris and Lynn shared a common dream: to run a business together. “We often talked about running a B&B or something similar,” Chris recalls. While franchising wasn’t initially on Chris’s radar, Lynn was more familiar with the concept. As the former general manager of a company in the care sector, she had visited the USA several times and knew of a successful American homecare franchise called Visiting Angels.
This prompted their first visit to The Franchise Exhibitions at Olympia London in 2020. It was a real eye-opener for the couple. They went without having done much research but knew exactly what they wanted – a care franchise with the right values, Visiting Angels.
“Coming from the betting world, I’m used to making quick decisions,” says Chris. “Although we always knew our number one choice, we still spoke to a few other care brands. But Visiting Angels really stood out to us.”
Chris and Lynn were immediately drawn to the company and the opportunity to serve a large area in South West London. “It’s a huge territory with so many people in need of support. That was a big factor for us,” he explains. “We met Dan and the team, and had a great conversation – we thought, let’s give this a go!”
They signed the franchise agreement in mid-May 2020. Lynn swiftly completed the necessary CQC preparations and interview by early July, and they officially opened their doors at the end of that month. “It was understandably slow at first given Covid restrictions,” Chris recalls. “From July 2020 to April 2021, we were gradually adding clients – one here, one there. But from April onwards, things really took off.”
Since then, their business has gone from strength to strength. Today, they employ 75 staff and care for over 100 clients, delivering around 1,100 hours of care each week. “Being one of the first five Visiting Angels franchisees in the UK gave us a real head start,” says Chris. “We’ve grown quickly and maintain a 97% staff retention rate, which we’re incredibly proud of.”
For Chris and Lynn, franchising offered a way to take control of their careers in their 50s.
Chris highlights the vital role of the Visiting Angels’ network to their success. “It’s not just about being part of a recognised brand and the invaluable marketing support, it’s also the people you can turn to. I regularly reach out to our WhatsApp group for advice, whether it’s about cancellations or day-to-day challenges, and get great feedback from franchisees in similar positions. Plus, the operational support from the head office team has been fantastic.”
Chris and Lynn have been regulars at The Franchise Exhibitions over the past few years, often working on the Visiting Angels stands and mingling with visitors.
Having recently committed to another ten years with Visiting Angels, Chris and Lynn are full of optimism about what lies ahead. “It’s been hard work, but there’s still so much to achieve and so many people we can support,” Chris reflects. “We’re both genuinely excited for the future. I always say this has been the best bet we ever made!”
Chris and Lynn’s journey is a powerful example of the life-changing opportunities offered by The Franchise Exhibitions. Interested in following their footsteps? Find out more about upcoming events and book your free tickets today!
