Maternity leave and getting in a temp - Argh!

[blondie4281]

Hello, I am new on here. I need some advice! I run a mobile dog washing business. It is a franchise, and has been very successful since I started up 2 and half years back.
However, I am pregnant (planned) . Ideally, I want to return to work once I have had the baby and continue with my franchise. This would mean I need to take someone on to run my business for me when I am too big to work. I can do the background work on the business but will not be able to go out and about during the day and wash the dogs.
I am scared that a temp will have no vested interest in my business and will destroy it! If they are only with me for 6 months, what will drive them to turn up on time to customers, turn up at all, or do a good job?
They will have to be employed on a 'representative' basis. Where they collect the takings from customers each day and then pay me a percentage in royalties. The remainder of which they keep.
I am toying with the idea of offering a bonus at the end of the 6 months if they have worked to my satifaction.
Any ideas would be gratefully appreciated. I am contracted to continue earning throughout my maternity leave, and my customers would need the service to continue operating even when I cannot work myself anyway.

 

[Business News]

Your franchisor is there to support your business so ask them for their advice. They may well have procedures in place to protect franchisee business in the case of extended absence through leave or bad health. Do you have other franchisees in adjacent areas? Maybe they could run your clients for you for 6 months?

 

[blondie4281]

Thank you for your reply. To be honest the franchisors are at a bit of a loss. I am the first to have fallen pregnant whilst owning a franchise. They have said that they are concerned about what a rep may do to my business but have not volunteered any further advice. I keep pushing but they are really busy and I feel like a burden! I have spoken to local reps and they have said that they simply would not be able to cope with the volume of custom if they were to take on mine.

 

[Business News]

If they are a decent franchise outfit they need to do more to help you out than they appear to be doing. It's in their own interest as much as yours. If they don't help you then why not sell on the franchise and then start up on your own after the cool down period that will be stipulated within your current agreement. The sale proceeds may see you nicely through the maternity period and set you up for a go it alone venture. Without the support of a franchisor - you are pretty much on your own anyway but paying a fee for the privilege.

 

[Alison Jones]

Have you a family member or a friend who is not working at the moment and wants to be? If they covered you for your maternity leave they would be grateful of income for 6 months and being family member or friend you will trust that they won't let you down and will look after your business to your standards.

Alison