Gabi Boi’s journey with Molly Maid began when she wanted a job with flexible hours to balance work and family life. Fast forward to today, and she has gone from being an employee to the successful owner of a popular Molly Maid cleaning franchise in Chesterfield.
Her story is typical of the franchise universe. People are attracted by the comprehensive support networks, and the sense of fulfilment that comes from running a franchise tailored to personal and professional goals.
Reflecting on her journey, Boi explains: “When my son started school full time, I needed a job with school-friendly hours, so I applied for a job at Molly Maid. I quickly progressed to office manager and loved the fact I was always on the school run and had my weekends with my son.”
The convenience of the job allowed her to bring up her son while building her experience within the Molly Maid franchise, giving her insight into the operational side and sparking her interest in ownership.
When her franchise owner began talking about retirement, Boi saw her chance to take the reins. Her experience and belief, along with sound financial preparation, allowed her to make a seamless transition from office manager to franchise owner. “Molly Maid was the best decision I made, from becoming an employee to owning it,” she says.
From employee to franchise owner
Boi’s professional background provided diverse experiences before joining Molly Maid, and each came with its own set of challenges. She spent a decade working in pharmacy, followed by roles managing a bar and working in the care industry, but her experience with Molly Maid offered her something unique – stability and the work-life balance she had been seeking.
“I now work my own hours that fit my family’s needs,” Boi says.
But owning a franchise presented its own set of challenges, the first being how to take a step back from her previous office management role to adopt a more strategic view of the business.
“Replacing my job role as the Office Manager has been my biggest challenge as a franchise owner,” she admits. “I needed to work from a more strategic standpoint and delegate the daily tasks. As much as this was a challenge, it has been a great learning curve and helped build on greater business growth.”
Molly Maid’s foundation for success
A key factor in helping Boi overcome those obstacles was the extensive support network provided by Molly Maid. Franchise owners enjoy access to a business advisor and dedicated marketing team, along with regular regional meetings and an annual Recognition & Reward (R&R) weekend.
They give franchisees the tools to tackle operational hurdles while also offering a chance to strategise, build on strengths, and connect with other franchisees.
“It’s great to have a business advisor and marketing team at Molly Maid to support me, which helps me get through any challenges,” says Boi. “The R&R weekend is always insightful and helps me take a step back to think about my strengths, what I may need to work on, and, more importantly, what I want from my business and each staff member.”
The support team provides day-to-day guidance on the practicalities of franchise ownership, helping franchisees navigate everything from the computer system to staff management.
“The support office are always on the other end of the phone,” says Boi. “Whether it is a question I have about our computer system, a staff member, or even just someone to listen if I’m having a stressful day, knowing there is always support from a team that understands the day-to-day challenges of running a business means a lot.”
Earning client trust
Boi’s first year as a Molly Maid franchise owner was highly successful, thanks in large part to the team she assembled. Finding motivated and reliable staff was crucial for growth, and Boi says teamwork was a cornerstone of that success.
“I have some amazing, reliable, and motivated staff, so once I had the right office team, we could grow the business,” she says. “The success was mainly down to hard work from myself and my team – teamwork truly makes the dream work.”
The support from Molly Maid also played a role in setting her business on a growth trajectory. The guidance offered by the support office helped Boi navigate challenges and seize growth opportunities, making her franchise a go-to in the Chesterfield area.
With a loyal customer base, the franchise has become a dependable resource for a growing list of clients. “The customers rely on us to get the job done so they can run their life, and we never let them down,” she explains.
Franchise of the year
Winning Franchisee of the Year was a major accomplishment and a morale boost for Boi and the team. The award, which Molly Maid gives to franchisees who excel in business performance, highlighted the work she put into making her franchise successful.
“[it gave me] A lot of pride and a massive confidence boost for the new role I have been playing in life as a franchise owner,” says Boi. “The recognition felt like I managed to achieve the targets I had set for myself, and I’m really proud of everyone involved in my franchise.”
Her success underlines the value of a strong support system in the world of franchising. With Molly Maid’s backing, Boi has not only grown her business but also acquired confidence in her ability to reach her goals.
Future growth and ambitions
With a solid business and a motivated team, Boi wants to continue expanding her franchise’s reach to even more customers while sticking with her winning formula.
“We are a really focused bunch in my franchise,” Boi says, adding that her team is dedicated to reaching more customers and continuing to grow.
For those considering a similar path, Boi is enthusiastic about the support and camaraderie she has found in the Molly Maid model. “Best part of franchising – you are never alone,” she advises. “You always have support from Molly Maid Support Team and other franchisees too, which is great! We get to discuss and bounce off ideas with each other.”
Work-life balance
Balancing business ambitions with family responsibilities is central to Boi’s journey, and she sees that balance as one of the most rewarding aspects of running a franchise. As a single mother, Boi values the flexibility it offers, allowing her to structure her work around family life.
“The most rewarding aspect is definitely the work-life balance,” she shares. “I absolutely love that I can provide other people with a job that works around their family time.”
Molly Maid’s model gives franchisees like Boi the chance to build a business that reflects their personal and professional aspirations, while the ongoing demand for cleaning services makes it a resilient career choice.
It’s a story that demonstrates the opportunity franchising can offer, with the right support across all aspects of the business.
