How Mel came across the Frontline franchise opportunity
I was a retail sales operations manager with a national business, and I was actually using Frontline recruitment as a supplier, they were helping me find staff. At the time I was wanting to move back home to Newcastle and that’s when I found out about the franchise opportunities that were available.
Did you have any staffing industry experience?
I have no staffing industry experience prior to recruiting for my own teams in my own business when I was a retail sales operations manager.
What attracted you to the Frontline franchise opportunity?
It was the fact that it gave me a vehicle to move back to Newcastle. I’d always wanted to own my own business, but I didn’t want to take the risk of doing it on my own, so it was a good model for me.
What makes a successful Frontline franchise owner?
It’s someone who likes people and loves to help and be part of their career journey. Also, someone who wants to work our solutions for their client. It’s someone who wants to be successful.
What is a typical day like for you as a Frontline franchise owner?
It’s throwing the balls up in the air in the morning, and catching them continuously all day. It’s talking to a lot people, having some great laughs throughout the day, forgetting lunch (because I choose to, not because I have to). It’s changing from talking to people, to working on the computer, to doing presentations, running ads, it’s really varied. That’s one of the things I love about it is that no day is ever the same.
What does the future hold for the Frontline brand?
The future for the Frontline brand, I believe, is unlimited. Now that we have the financial backing of a US-based global company, opportunities in the market, that we’ve highlighted and that are presenting themselves means that the business as a footprint is going to grow across Australia and New Zealand. Candidates and clients need us more than they ever have due to Covid and the recovery.
How does the Frontline HQ team support you with running your franchise?
The Frontline HQ team actually looks after the entire back end including collections, invoicing, marketing, IT. If I’ve ever got a problem with a computer, I’m computer illiterate, so getting it fixed by just picking up the phone is so valuable to me. I’m also not a creative person, so having a marketing team boost me, is like A B C, I don’t have to think about any of that. It allows me to focus on my job, which is recruitment.
What advice do you have for anyone thinking of investing in a Frontline franchise?
My advice is to have the discussion. Pick up the phone to other franchisees that are currently in the network as well as they are all happy to talk to whoever is interested. Ask the question, I’ve been here 18 years and I love it!
Between Frontline and Express Employment, what does it mean to be part of the largest global staffing franchise system?
It’s really exciting. Opportunities for training and development, being able to work across the world, career opportunities, the opportunity to meet lots more people and being able to access learning and development, processes, marketing, the list goes on.
What’s the most rewarding part of being a Frontline franchise Owner?
It’s helping people daily, the sense of belonging and also the business allowing me a great lifestyle.
