“I am so grateful for the opportunity to work in such a meaningful and fulfilling field.”
Woman Franchise Employee of the Year: Heather Wehrle, Right at Home
A passion for the sector she works in, meant Heather has risen-up through the ranks of her franchise employer, as well as winning this award.
Our mission is all about Empowering Women into Franchising (after all, it’s in our name!), but we don’t restricted this only to those who invest in their own franchise. It’s also about drawing inspiration from all the amazing women who work in all types of franchises, in a variety of roles, and celebrating the incredible contributions they make.
Our Woman Franchise Employee of the Year award is designed to recognise the women who consistently make outstanding efforts to promote and grow the franchises they work for, as well as lead the field as female business leaders in their own right. We’re proud this year to recognise the achievements of Heather Wehrle from Right at Home, a franchise dedicated to improving the quality of life of both its service users, and its carers and staff.
Heather joined Right at Home seven years ago, as their Training & Recruitment Manager. She’s been a fundamental part of the care franchise’s mission to raise awareness, and advocate for positive change within the care sector. Her talents led her to be promoted within the brand to, National People and Brand Development Manager, in 2019.
In 2022, she pioneered a new strategy to help Right at Home further change how the care industry is perceived, and her work led to a tripling in franchisee CareGiver applications. This proved to be a real game-changer during a time when more traditional care industry models were facing a very public crisis in staff retention and recruitment. Her success led her to being promoted to Director level earlier this year.
This award was given to Heather in recognition of her incredible efforts to challenge stereotypes, and fundamentally shift public perception of the care industry. She’s made incredible efforts to show how franchises, like Right at Home, support a vital and rewarding sector which continues to see unprecedented growth in the face of many challenges.
“I’m truly humbled to receive this recognition from EWiF,” Heather says. “The care industry is often overlooked or dismissed as unimportant. But, due to the tireless efforts of our CareGivers, Franchise Owners and wider care teams, at Right at Home, we know it has the power to change lives and transform communities. I am committed to continuing my efforts to raise awareness and advocate for positive change for the care sector.”
Keep up all your fantastic work, Heather!
Franchising offers all women the chance to ‘be their own boss’. Organisations like Encouraging Women into Franchising (EWiF) and The British Franchise Association (bfa) provide support to women wanting to enter franchising with services like EWiF’s volunteer mentors and the bfa’s free online Prospect Franchisee Certificate.
