Humera Ahmed’s journey from full-time mother to Kitchen Makeovers Romford franchisee exemplifies how dedication, vision, and the courage to step out of our comfort zone can overcome almost any challenge.
After a decade dedicated to raising her two children, Humera found herself yearning for a new opportunity beyond the daily routines of the parenting hustle. But, rather than returning to a 9-5, the appeal of working for herself around her young family encouraged Humera to explore franchising.
After extensive research, she invested in her Kitchen Makeovers franchise in late 2022, launching the business in January 2023.
“Embarking on my own franchise journey has been a really fun challenge”
“Re-entering the workforce after ten years might seem daunting at first, but it has turned into an incredibly rewarding journey for me. This experience has reignited my sense of what I’m capable of accomplishing – it’s my venture, and I’m immensely proud of our progress since the launch.
Transitioning from CEO of my household to running my own Kitchen Makeovers franchise has been a fulfilling way to demonstrate my abilities, especially to my children.
Achieving a balance between professional and personal life was crucial; I’ve managed to maintain my morning routine of dropping off the kids at school before diving into my day’s work. It’s been vital for me to show that it’s possible to pursue a passion while keeping family priorities in check.”
Founded in 2018, Kitchen Makeovers introduced the UK to the future of kitchen renovations. As one of the home improvement sector’s most innovative franchise brands, Kitchen Makeovers has established itself as an exciting, highly profitable opportunity by identifying and leveraging a gap in the market. This trailblazing approach, evolving with the demands of the sector, is helping franchisees provide customers with a long-awaited, modern, cost-effective and sustainable service up and down the country, breathing new life into the heart of their homes.
“As a woman venturing into a field traditionally dominated by men, I initially had reservations about whether it was the right path for me. However, the idea of the Kitchen Makeovers concept hooked me, and engaging conversations with fellow female franchisees within the network erased any concerns I had.
I’ve come to realise that being a woman in this industry offers distinct advantages. While many of the tradespeople tend to be male, the majority of my customers are women. I think women find it easier to trust other women, and that’s helped when interacting with potential customers. I’m not a pushy salesperson; I believe in our products and services”.
For me, success lies in exceptional customer service. The positive reviews and number of word-of-mouth referrals we get speak for themselves.”
Kitchen Makeovers attracts both first-time franchisees and seasoned entrepreneurs looking to move with the times, thanks to an impressive infrastructure designed for scalability and a revitalised approach to customer experience in the home improvement sector.
Franchisees are encouraged to fully exploit the success they can achieve within their territories by building a local network of expert tradespeople. Kitchen Makeovers’ approach of championing exceptional customer service is continuing to reap the rewards in a sector that has traditionally delivered below-par customer experience. Through recurring income streams, low overheads, an impressive scope for growth and ongoing development, the opportunity for franchisees is huge.
“The support I’ve received from the head office has been excellent. At times, it feels as if they answer my calls before I’ve even made them! Coming from a non-sales background, the training provided was instrumental in giving me the confidence to embark on this journey. The collaborative environment within the franchisee network is a cornerstone of our success; we tackle challenges together and share new ideas. This collective spirit has been pivotal in the growth we’ve achieved since our launch just over a year ago, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the progress we’ve made.”
“Transitioning from full-time parenting to re-entering the workforce, I knew I didn’t want the constraints of a conventional 9-5 job. Managing my own franchise gives me the flexibility to seamlessly integrate my professional and personal life. In my spare time, I’m a keen photographer – I love capturing moments on my camera, being outdoors and going for long walks in the forest, especially with my family. I am also a keen gardener and keep many houseplants; I have a social media following and enjoy teaching others about nurturing and growing plants. Kitchen Makeovers has been instrumental in achieving a work-life harmony that suits my lifestyle, allowing me to thrive both personally and professionally.”
On track to welcome 100 franchisees by the end of 2024, sophisticated branding, systems, operations and processes have established Kitchen Makeovers as a leading voice in a market which, before the brand’s inception, was crying out for a cost-effective, fuss-free service provider. This has seen the franchise receive over 500 glistening five-star reviews from happy customers across multiple reputable online sources.
By embracing the challenges of franchise ownership, Humera has not only achieved a coveted work-life balance but also contributed to transforming the home improvement sector with innovative, customer-focused solutions. Now with over a year under her belt, Humera has set herself the ambitious target of doubling sales in the next 12 months.
“I’d definitely recommend Kitchen Makeovers to anyone considering it. I’ve found it a really rewarding experience. My top tip and something I try to do every day is to learn something new from every interaction. Be enthusiastic about learning and self-improvement. If a potential customer says ‘no’, don’t be disheartened; a ‘no’ is simply an opportunity to learn more, to refine your approach, and to meet your next client with more experience.”