Are you ready to step into your own business? Check out these two very different work-from-home options that let you be your own boss.

Circle of Love

Circle of Love is a wedding hire, planning and styling franchise. 

The task

Franchisees work closely with clients to style and plan their wedding or event. 

Flexibility

All of the administration is done at home, including taking the enquiry by phone or email, quoting, invoicing and arranging meetings. “The hours are very flexible but we do encourage franchisees to reply to an enquiry within the day,” says Kim Williams, Circle of Love franchisor/director. “Most of the weddings and events take place at the weekend.”

Support 

After two days of face-to-face training at head office in Sydney new franchisees are walked through setting up a number of weddings in their territory. Williams then provides support as needed, along with wedding decoration supplies, equipment, resources and templates.

Profit potential 

Franchisees make a profit of about 80 per cent of the cost of every wedding. 

All Vending Minimart

All Vending Minimarts sell everything from fragrances and pet food to phone accessories and books – all from vending machines.

The task

Once a store is set up it requires very little input from the franchisee. 

Flexibility

“You won’t need to work more than four to eight hours each week, any time that suits you,” says founder Hari Shotham. 

Support

“We help franchisees find a high-exposure location and give them all the training they need to run the store,” says Shotham. “We then restock the machines for them on an ongoing basis, including daily deliveries of fresh foods.”

Profit potential 

With no staff to pay and little danger of theft, franchisees can charge competitive prices without sacrificing profits. There are also higher margins on products such as fragrances, vitamins and health supplements. “We guarantee a profit of 10 per cent after all expenses, including restocking, rentals and outgoings,” says Shotham.