Rise of Women Participation in Franchising Business

Women are shattering the glass ceiling across industries and are proving their mettle in a male-dominated workforce. There has been a significant increase in the number of women that participate in running a business on their own.

The franchise as a business option has encouraged not just men but many women from different walks of life in India for a feasible source of income as well as the independence of growing a business, where they can use their skills.

TimesJobs ‘Women in Corporate Boardrooms’ survey results reveal that companies are still apprehensive about hiring women at executive leadership positions. Around 18% of women professionals said that their organizations are not willing to hire women at senior leadership positions. Of these, 60% cite that challenges like marriage, maternity leaves, childbirth, etc. are primary reasons to not hire them at senior levels.

The rise of Women Franchisees Post their Sabbatical Break

KiranDham, CEO, Globus Infocom writes, “The idea of sabbatical or career break is still not quite welcomed in the job industry. Women who plan to resume their career after maternity leaves or sabbatical face difficulties even now while resuming their career. It’s difficult to make the job provider understand that the woman is still well versed with her job skill & can easily handle the work-life balance. Starting their own work not only give them their creative satisfaction but also gives them the desired freedom to work at their own pace and time. Also, post the sabbatical, women have generally streamlined their responsibilities & can easily focus on their way forward towards what they want to do.”

AlfiaNadeem, Category Head– Infants & Kids at FabIndia says, “Women, especially in kidswear segment or beauty segment, are preferred as potential franchisees over men because they understand the product and customer’s concern since they also belong to the user’s category. For a seller, the experience is an added advantage because they can convey the message clearer with a personal touch.”

Sudden Rise of Mompreneurs in India

After becoming mothers, women want to spend more time with their children and have added responsibilities in terms of taking care of the family; however, they also want to use their skills and help the family financially.

Franchise business gives them the opportunity to pursue both at the flexibility of time and without compromising with the responsibility of either one.

Kiran adds, “The new generation of mothers are turning into entrepreneurs by choice because they realize that it’s finally the time to pursue that idea which was in their mind for so long. Finding once calling, either in search of a new beginning or an identity usually propel them to start their own venture. Usually, after becoming a mother, women have to cut back on their career plans in order to give time to their child. Somewhere starting something of their own identity gives them that lost sense of self-esteem & recognition which they deserve at their career end. It also brings internal satisfaction, financial independence & better work-life integration making it all worth the effort.”