We all dream about starting our own business and having that chance to build something which we can call our own. Many of us yearn for financial freedom and to build a legacy that can positively impact our society.
For many of us, however, taking the first step can be the hardest thing especially when we don’t have the right support and systems that will set us up for success.
For Kylie Williams taking a leap of faith into Nurse Next Door’s Franchise opportunity was the solution so she could have that ongoing 24/7 support and access to world-class systems while focusing on what really matters; Making a Difference to her local community.
We sat with Kylie to reflect on her journey so far and how Nurse Next Door Home Care Services Canberra has gone from strength to strength.
What has been your biggest achievement this year?
Two things have been my greatest achievements so far!
My first greatest achievement has been building an amazing, positive and dedicated bold pink team of caregivers and nurses as well as having an incredible Care Designer. We’re all moving forward together towards one common goal, Making Lives Better for our clients and the wider community.
My second biggest achievement would be the strong brand presence and reputation we have in Canberra and the wider state. We are at a point where we are constantly receiving repeat referrals from support coordinators and hospitals through simple word of mouth; I’m really proud that, we’ve become quite influential.
What is your favourite Making Lives Better moment?
It’s really hard to just pick one Making Lives Better moment because when we are out in the field all say there is always something someone is doing that’s really Making a Difference in a client’s life and providing peace of mind for their families.
There is one client that sticks to mind however, she is a young girl who is non-verbal and we have been seeing her for the past 12 months. We introduced her to a new caregiver over the last few months and they’ve truly become a Perfect Match. Since then our client has started talking occasionally, and that is such a big win for us.
Describe what it’s like to see one of your Bold Pink Cars on the road.
Whenever someone mentions that they’ve seen our pink car on the road I always feel this sense of pride.
I’m really proud to be part of a brand whose core values really resonate with my own, but are also disruptive and challenging the current perceptions around home care.
What has been the key to your success so far?
The key to our success is the fact that we all actually care and that we’re all excited to work with our clients.
The culture that Nurse Next Door has built nationally really resonates with my entire team. When everyone enjoys their job and does this because they care, that certainly makes a difference.
Where do you see yourself and Nurse Next Door Canberra in the future?
Before launching I was really conservative with my expectations around how much growth I would actually experience but that has now exceeded well beyond my expectations partly because the aged care and disability sectors have a lot of opportunity and partly because I was given the right structure and systems from day one.
I have so many friends running other businesses in different fields and Nurse Next Door was certainly the right move for me. In the future, I can foresee more growth especially as we expand our services in more regional areas and continue to build strong relationships with professional referral sources as well as existing clients.
Which supports have been the most valuable to you and how has this helped you and your business and your team?
The 24/7 Care Services team has been really valuable to us, and I wouldn’t be without it. The WOW Customer Service that we’re getting from the Care Services team, regardless of what time of day it is, is incredible. It’s not something that I would be to set up myself if I started my business from scratch, especially with the amount it would cost me both financially and mentally (it would be really stressful).
The fact that someone is always on the phone 24/7 and can take calls from potential clients, existing clients, and staff members, and deal with the scheduling live if someone calls in sick and manage this ongoing really takes a huge load off me. My team can actaully focus on what’s really important and that is actually delivering those much-needed services to our clients.
Can you imagine what your journey as a business owner would look like if you were not part of the Nurse Next Door Franchise System?
I don’t really know what the journey would have been like without the Nurse Next Door System. Before I chose to build my business through Nurse Next Door, we did look at other options. For me, the focus was always on having a franchise because you already have those existing policies, procedures and support behind you. That was really important to me.
Nurse Next Door specifically provided me with a lot of support and benefits compared to other franchisors and when I think about it, if I chose one of the alternatives, it would have been a much harder and more stressful journey.
What advice would you give to someone who is considering becoming a Franchise Partner with Nurse Next Door Home Care Services?
Do it.
Just do it and be prepared to put your heart into it.
It’s important to make sure that you invest in the business, and build your structure to support its growth.
All the systems and support is there for you, all you need to do is commit to building your business with heart.
With a core purpose of Making Lives Better, Nurse Next Door, under the leadership of Melbourne-based Master Franchisors Matt Fitton and Amber Biesse, provides in-home aged care and disability support services built on our philosophy of Happier Ageing® focusing on possibility rather than disability.
