Three female franchise professionals who are shaping the future of franchise brands which were all founded by women.
Ella Bache‘s Pippa Hallas is at the helm of the beauty salon chain which began in 1936 in France.
In 1954, Edith Hallas, the wife of Madame Baché’s cousin brought the business to Australia, where the brand found its creative home.
More than 60 years on, Ella Baché is still very much a family franchise, with Edith Hallas’ grand-daughter Pippa now steering the business. Today the business has 150 salons across the country.
Pippa first came on board as a young CEO at Ella Bache when the GFC hit. Through the difficulties of that time she learned the value of communication and clarity. Last year, early in the pandemic, Pippa referenced a favourite piece of advice.
“If you get asked to join the rocket ship, don’t ask which seat to sit in. Don’t question the negative details right now, you absolutely need to look for the opportunities in this chaos and go for it,” she said. “You absolutely have to get on that rocket ship.”
Professional dancer and Pilates instructor Andrea Rogers founded Xtend Barre in 2011 in the US.
She recognised an opportunity to combine the two disciplines to create a results-driven full body workout designed to deliver strength, cardio and flexibility.
The brand has grown internationally to nearly 50 studios (23 in Australia) and here is backed by the Collective Wellness Group (CWG) – which also has the Australian master franchise rights for Anytime Fitness.
Andrea visited Australia in 2019 to celebrate the new look and expansion of the studio-based business in Sydney, led by Xtend Barre franchisee Liz Nable, the 2019 Franchise Council of the Year Woman of the Year.
The HR Dept story began in 2002, when founder and executive director Sue Tumelty identified a gap in the market to offer personalised expert HR advice to local businesses in the UK. Now the company also operates across Ireland and Australia – and local franchisee Pia Engstrom is the new managing director of the Australian operation.
The HR Dept Australia’s new boss has plans for at least five more franchises within a year.
“We will be looking to raise the brand profile nationally to encourage new franchisees as well as supporting existing franchisees with their growth strategies.
“We are looking at recruiting at least another five franchisees in the next 12 months.”
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